US 11,806,046 B2
Integrated expandable access for medical device introducer
Glen R. Fantuzzi, Danvers, MA (US); and Thorsten Siess, Aachen (DE)
Assigned to Abiomed, Inc., Danvers, MA (US)
Filed by ABIOMED, Inc., Danvers, MA (US)
Filed on Oct. 26, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/511,060.
Application 17/511,060 is a continuation of application No. 16/130,475, filed on Sep. 13, 2018, granted, now 11,197,690.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/558,507, filed on Sep. 14, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2022/0096125 A1, Mar. 31, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61B 17/34 (2006.01); A61M 60/841 (2021.01); A61M 60/295 (2021.01); A61M 60/13 (2021.01); A61M 25/00 (2006.01); A61M 25/06 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 17/3439 (2013.01) [A61B 17/3415 (2013.01); A61B 17/3423 (2013.01); A61B 17/3462 (2013.01); A61M 25/0668 (2013.01); A61M 60/13 (2021.01); A61M 60/295 (2021.01); A61M 60/841 (2021.01); A61B 17/3431 (2013.01); A61B 2017/348 (2013.01); A61M 2025/0004 (2013.01); A61M 2025/0024 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A sheath assembly comprising:
a medical device configured to be inserted into a blood vessel, a first portion of the medical device having a first width, and a second portion of the medical device having a second width that is smaller than the first width, the second portion of the medical device being proximal of the first portion of the medical device;
a first sheath having a first lumen extending between proximal and distal ends of the first sheath configured to allow for passage of the second portion of the medical device;
a first hub coupled to the proximal end of the first sheath;
a second sheath having a second lumen extending between proximal and distal ends of the second sheath, the second lumen being configured to have a first inner diameter at rest, and to be elastically expandable from the first inner diameter to a second inner diameter; and
a second hub coupled to the proximal end of the second sheath,
wherein the second lumen is configured to expand to the second inner diameter during passage of the first portion of the medical device, and to elastically contract from the second inner diameter during the passage of the second portion of the medical device, and
wherein the first sheath is configured to form a seal between an inner surface of the second sheath and the second portion of the medical device when the second sheath is inserted in the blood vessel and the first sheath is inserted into the second lumen over the second portion of the medical device, such that blood from the blood vessel is substantially prevented from migrating past the seal.