Introducer sheath having a braided member and methods of manufacture

An introducer sheath for use in a medical procedure, the introducer sheath comprising:

• an inner tube having inner and outer surfaces;
• a braided member disposed over at least a portion of the inner tube, wherein the braided member comprises a plurality of first wire segments extending in a first direction and a plurality of second wire segments extending in a second direction, wherein the plurality of first and second wire segments intersect at one or more intersections, wherein at least one of the first wire segments passes above one second wire segment and below another second wire segment, wherein at least a portion of an outer surface of the first and second wire segments are covered with a coating;
• an outer tube disposed over the inner tube and the braided member,
• wherein at least a portion of the first and second wire segments are bonded together at one or more of the intersections prior to placement of the outer tube over the braided member, and
• a coiled member having a plurality of turns disposed over at least a portion of the inner tube and the braided member, wherein at least a portion of the first and second wire segments are bonded together at one or more of the intersections prior to placement of the coiled member over the braided member.