Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
INTRODUCER DEVICE FOR MEDICAL PROCEDURES

Abstract:

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an introducer device and method for introducing a delivery apparatus into a patient's vasculature. Disclosed methods can include positioning a sleeve of an introducer sheath in a blood vessel of a patient, the sleeve having a lattice layer with a lumen therethrough, inserting a distal end portion of the delivery apparatus and a prosthetic heart valve into the lumen, and advancing the distal end portion of the delivery apparatus through the lumen from the proximal end to the distal end. The method can then include expanding the lumen from a first diameter smaller to a second diameter at least equal to the diameter of the prosthetic heart valve to allow passage of the prosthetic heart valve through the lumen, and returning the lumen of the sleeve to a diameter smaller than the second diameter after advancing the prosthetic heart valve through the lumen.