Introducer/dilator with balloon protection and methods of use
AssigneeEmbol-X, Inc.
InventorsJobert P Balceta, Lorraine Mangosong
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An introducer system having an elongate shaft with proximal and distal ends. A flexible sleeve is mounted on the distal end of the shaft and is adapted to circumferentially cover the outer surface of a distal end of a cannula when the shaft is positioned within a lumen of the cannula. The introducer system has dilation capabilities which facilitates insertion of a medical device into a vessel or organ. Methods of using the devices herein are also disclosed.
Claims38
A cannula introducer system, comprising:
- a cannula having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen therebetween;
- an elongate shaft having proximal and distal ends, said shaft insertable through the lumen of the cannula;
- and
- a flexible sleeve mounted on the distal end of the shaft, wherein the sleeve is adapted to circumferentially cover the distal end of the cannula when the shaft is positioned within the lumen of the cannula, and wherein the sleeve is adapted to uncover the distal end of the cannula when the elongate shaft is retracted, the sleeve being removable through the lumen of the cannula.
An introducer, comprising:
- an elongate shaft having proximal and distal ends, said shaft insertable through a lumen of a cannula;
- and
- a flexible sleeve mounted on the distal end of the shaft, said sleeve insertable and removable through the lumen of the cannula, wherein the sleeve is adapted to circumferentially cover a distal end of the cannula when the shaft is positioned within the lumen of the cannula.
A method for introducing a cannula into a body tissue, comprising:
- providing an introducer insertable within a lumen of the cannula, the introducer comprising an elongate shaft having proximal and distal ends, and a flexible sleeve mounted on the distal end of the shaft and adapted to cover a distal end of the cannula;
- inserting the distal end of the cannula into the body tissue through an incision with the sleeve covering the distal end of the cannula;
- retracting the shaft, thereby removing the sleeve from the distal end of the cannula;
- and
- withdrawing the shaft and sleeve from the lumen of the cannula.
A cannula introducer system, comprising:
- a cannula having a proximal end shaped to receive oxygenated blood through a fitting from a bypass-oxygenator machine, a distal end, and a lumen therebetween;
- an elongate shaft having proximal and distal ends, said shaft insertable through the lumen of the cannula;
- and
- a flexible sleeve mounted on the distal end of the shaft, wherein the sleeve is adapted to circumferentially cover the distal end of the cannula when the shaft is positioned within the lumen of the cannula, the sleeve being removable through the lumen of the cannula.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.