# US 11,076,884 B2 · Introducer with expandable capabilities > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,076,884 B2 - Document ID: US11076884B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/874,056 - Filed: 2018-01-18 - Published: 2018-07-19 - Granted: 2021-08-03 - Earliest claimed: 2017-01-18 - Assignees: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. - Applicants: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. - Inventors: James M. Anderson; Adam David Grovender; Brian R. Reynolds; Ross A. Olson; Heather Hetteen; Uchenna Junior Agu - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11076884B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/3423: {Access ports, e.g. toroid shape introducers for instruments or hands (access sites for liquids A61M39/0247)} - A61B 17/0218: {for minimally invasive surgery (A61B17/0281, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence)} - A61F 2/2427: {Devices for manipulating or deploying heart valves during implantation} - A61M 25/005: {with embedded materials for reinforcement, e.g. wires, coils, braids} - A61M 25/0662: {Guide tubes} - A61M 39/0247: {Transcutaneous or percutaneous access sites to the inside of the body} - A61M 2039/0258: {for vascular access, e.g. blood stream access} - A61M 2039/0279: {for introducing medical instruments into the body, e.g. endoscope, surgical tools} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## Abstract An example introducer is disclosed. An example introducer sheath includes a tubular member including an inner surface, an outer surface and a wall extending therebetween. The introducer further includes a plurality of spine members. The plurality of spine members are positioned radially inward of the outer surface of the tubular member. Further, each of the plurality of the spine members are positioned radially outward of the inner surface of the tubular member. Additionally, the tubular member is designed to shift from a first configuration to a second configuration and the wall has a first thickness in the first position and a second thickness in the second position, the second thickness smaller than the first thickness. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An introducer sheath, comprising: a tubular member including a longitudinal axis, an inner surface, an outer surface defining a circular outer profile, and a wall extending therebetween; and a plurality of spine members; wherein each of the plurality of spine members are positioned radially inward of the outer surface of the tubular member; wherein each of the plurality of spine members are positioned radially outward of the inner surface of the tubular member; wherein the tubular member is designed to shift from a first configuration to a second configuration; wherein the wall has a first thickness in the first configuration and a second thickness in the second configuration, wherein the second thickness is smaller than the first thickness, wherein the wall has a third thickness in the second configuration, wherein the third thickness is located between adjacent spine members, wherein each of the plurality of spine members is positioned within the second thickness of the wall in the second configuration, and, wherein the third thickness is smaller than the second thickness. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The introducer sheath of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of spine members are embedded within the wall of the tubular member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The introducer sheath of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of spine members are circumferentially spaced away from one another around the longitudinal axis of the tubular member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The introducer sheath of claim 1, wherein the tubular member includes a proximal region and a distal region, and wherein each of the plurality of spine members extends from the proximal region to the distal region. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The introducer sheath of claim 4, wherein each of the plurality of spine members extends helically around the longitudinal axis of the tubular member. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The introducer sheath of claim 1, wherein the wall tapers from the third thickness to the second thickness. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The introducer sheath of claim 1, wherein the tubular member includes a first outer diameter in the first configuration and a second outer diameter in the second configuration, and wherein the second outer diameter is larger than the first outer diameter. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The introducer sheath of claim 7, wherein the tubular member includes a third outer diameter in the second configuration and wherein the third outer diameter is smaller than the second outer diameter. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The introducer sheath of claim 8, wherein the tubular member includes a first inner radius in the first configuration and a second inner radius in the second configuration, the second inner radius larger than the first inner radius. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The introducer sheath of claim 9, wherein the tubular member includes a third inner radius in the second configuration, and wherein the third inner radius is larger than the second inner radius.