Introducer handle notch design/concept

An introducer, comprising:

• a) a sheath comprising a sheath sidewall defining a sheath lumen, the sheath having a sheath length extending from a proximal sheath end to a distal sheath end;
• b) a housing comprising a housing sidewall extending along a housing length from a proximal housing portion having a proximal housing end to a distal housing portion having a distal housing end, the housing sidewall defining a housing through-bore extending along a longitudinal axis, wherein the housing sidewall has a thickness spaced from the longitudinal axis, and wherein with the distal housing portion secured to the proximal sheath end, the housing through-bore provides for passage through the housing and into the sheath lumen;
• c) at least one stress confining notch that extends at least partially through the thickness of the housing sidewall, the notch extending from the proximal housing end partway along the housing length to a distal notch end spaced from the distal housing end;
• d) a score line having a score line length that extends along the remaining length of the housing sidewall from the distal notch end to the distal housing end;
• e) a retainer comprising:
• i) an annular retainer sidewall extending along a retainer length from a proximal annular retainer sidewall end to a distal annular retainer sidewall end, the annular retainer sidewall defining a retainer through-bore extending therethrough;
• ii) at least one tab extending outwardly from the annular retainer sidewall second end, and wherein the at least one tab is received within the stress confining notch;
• and
• iii) wherein a clip extending from an inner surface of the housing is received within a retainer body recess that at least partially extends within a surface of the annular retainer sidewall proximal end to thereby detachably hold the retainer to the housing;
• and
• f) wherein the housing is manipulatable to cause a separation force to be applied to the distal notch end to thereby separate the housing and the sheath along a first plane aligned with the longitudinal axis.