Patent ID: 7655021
Filing Date: 2010-02-02
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. An apparatus, comprising: a flexible sheath having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the flexible sheath having a hub at the proximal end portion, the flexible sheath defining an opening at the proximal end portion, an opening at the distal end portion and a lumen therethrough, the flexible sheath configured to be inserted into a body of a patient; and a dilator disposed within the lumen of the flexible sheath such that the dilator extends through the opening at the distal end portion of the flexible sheath and the opening at the proximal end portion of the flexible sheath, the dilator including a tapered portion configured to dilate tissue within the body of the patient and an expandable portion configured to expand outwardly from the dilator, the dilator having a hub including a flange and a tab, the tab having a fixed end coupled to the hub of the dilator, the tab having a free end, the tab having a protrusion extending substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the dilator disposed between the fixed end and the free end, the dilator being configured such that distal and proximal movement of the dilator relative to the flexible sheath is limited when the hub of the dilator is positioned such that the protrusion of the tab is configured to engage a ridge extending inwardly from an internal surface of the hub of the flexible sheath and the flange is configured to engage an outside surface of the ridge of the flexible sheath, the free end of the tab being disposed outside the hub of the flexible sheath when the protrusion is situated to engage the ridge of the internal surface of the hub of the flexible sheath.