Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
ADVANCED SHEATH PATTERNS

Abstract:

Disclosed herein are reinforced expandable introducer sheaths and methods of using the same. The sheaths minimize trauma to the patient's vasculature by including a reinforcing member to improve the push force of the sheath while reducing the chances of kinking during delivery of a prosthetic device. The sheath can include a plurality of expandable rings aligned along the longitudinal axis of the sheath and coupled together to form an elongated tubular structure. The sheath can also include a plurality of radial members circumferentially arranged to form a tubular support structure. The radial members slidingly interconnected around the circumference of the tubular structure to facilitate radial expansion of the sheath.