Ureteral access sheath

A ureteral access sheath in combination with an obturator, the combination comprising:

• an access sheath comprising:
• an elongate tube having a lumen extending between an open proximal end and an open distal end;
• a handle disposed at the proximal end of the tube having a flared configuration, a first surface facing generally distally, and a second surface facing generally proximally, wherein the second surface extends decreasingly radially inwardly with progressive equal distal positions along the tube;
• and
• an obturator insertable through and removable from the elongate tube and the handle, the elongate tube having a smooth surface to facilitate passage of the obturator, the obturator comprising an elongate rod extending between a proximal end and a distal end and a knob disposed at the proximal end;
• the knob of the obturator extends proximally past the proximal end of the elongate tube and the distal end extends distally past the distal end of the elongate tube when the obturator is inserted into the elongate tube;
• wherein the obturator further includes a releasable mechanism disposed at the proximal end of the elongate rod that is removably attachable to the handle.

A ureteral access sheath in combination with an obturator, the combination comprising:

• an access sheath comprising:
• an elongate tube having a lumen extending between an open proximal end and an open distal end;
• a handle disposed at the proximal end of the tube having a flared configuration, a first surface facing generally distally, and a second surface facing generally proximally, wherein the second surface extends decreasingly radially inwardly with progressive equal distal positions along the tube;
• and
• an obturator insertable through and removable from the elongate tube and the handle, the elongate tube having a smooth surface to facilitate passage of the obturator, the obturator comprising an elongate rod extending between a proximal end and a distal end and a knob disposed at the proximal end;
• the knob of the obturator extends proximally past the proximal end of the elongate tube and the distal end extends distally past the distal end of the elongate tube when the obturator is inserted into the elongate tube;
• wherein the obturator further includes a releasable mechanism disposed at the proximal end of the elongate rod that is removably attachable to the handle;
• wherein the attachment of the obturator to the sheath precludes inadvertent advancement of the sheath in front of the obturator.

A ureteral access sheath combination, comprising:

• an access sheath comprising:
• an elongate tube having an axis and a lumen extending between an open proximal end and an open distal end;
• a first handle disposed at the proximal end of the tube, the first handle being defined by a first surface facing generally distally and a second surface facing generally proximally;
• both first and second surfaces extending radially outwardly of the elongate tube;
• a second handle disposed distally of the first handle, the second handle including a third surface facing generally proximally and extending radially outwardly of the elongate tube;
• wherein the first surface is continuous with the third surface so as to define an annular recess, and the second surface is convex so as to form a funnel leading into the lumen of the tube;
• and
• an instrument insertable into the open proximal end and through the elongate tube and the first and second handles, wherein the instrument has a proximal end and a distal end and the proximal end of the instrument extends proximally past the proximal end of the elongate tube and the distal end of the instrument extends distally past the distal end of the elongate tube when the instrument is inserted into the elongate tube, the elongate tube having a smooth surface to facilitate passage of the instrument.