Expandable transluminal sheath
AssigneeOnset Medical Corporation
InventorsJay Lenker, Edward J. Nance, Joseph Bishop, George F. Kick
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed is an expandable transluminal sheath, for introduction into the body while in a first, low cross-sectional area configuration, and subsequent expansion of at least a part of the distal end of the sheath to a second, enlarged cross-sectional configuration. The distal end of the sheath is maintained in the first, low cross-sectional configuration and expanded using a radial dilatation device. In an exemplary application, the sheath is utilized to provide access for a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure such as ureteroscopy or stone removal.
Claims12
A method of providing access to a body lumen comprising the steps of:
- inserting a sheath into a body lumen;
- the sheath having an axially elongate sheath tube with a proximal region, a distal region, and a central through lumen;
- advancing the sheath to a desired site within the body lumen;
- occluding the central through lumen with a central obturator during the inserting and advancing of the sheath within the body lumen;
- dilating the distal region of the sheath to an expanded diameter by inflating a balloon on the central obturator, thereby forming a substantially uniform diameter of the central through lumen throughout an entire length of the central through lumen, including the proximal region and the distal region;
- collapsing the balloon of the central obturator by an action applied at the proximal end of said central obturator,
- removing the central obturator from the sheath,
- inserting a device into the central through lumen of the sheath and advancing it to the desired site,
- performing a desired operation with the device, and
- removing the sheath from the patient.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.