VARIABLE STIFFNESS INTRODUCER SHEATH WITH TRANSITION ZONE

摘要

An introducer sheath includes a lubricious inner liner having a passageway extending longitudinally therethrough, a reinforcing member positioned over the inner liner, and an outer jacket positioned longitudinally over the reinforcing member and the inner liner. The outer jacket has a higher durometer proximal portion, a lower durometer distal portion, and a transition zone between the proximal portion and the distal portion. The transition zone has a variable durometer from a junction with the outer jacket proximal portion to a junction with the outer jacket distal portion, to provide a transition between the higher durometer proximal portion and the lower durometer distal portion.