Endovascular sheath with gradable stiffness device and method

摘要

An endovascular sheath apparatus 2 is provided. The endovascular sheath apparatus 2 includes an inner tube 12 that includes a lumen 26 for introducing medical fluids or devices and an outer surface. The apparatus 2 further includes an outer tube 22 with an interior surface. The outer and inner surfaces define a cavity 28 therebetween. The apparatus 2 still further includes a stiffening component 20 which in one embodiment includes a braided material that is at least partially received in at least part of the cavity 28. An actuating mechanism 18 cooperates with the stiffening component 20. A method of providing intravascular delivery of a sheath includes the steps of providing an inner tube 12; positioning a stiffening component 20 around the inner tube 12; and deploying an actuating mechanism 18 that cooperates with the stiffening component 20, a stiffness characteristic of which being adjustable extra-corporeally by movement of the actuating mechanism in combination with the stiffening component.