Patent ID: 7144386
Filing Date: 2006-12-05
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. A catheter introducer, comprising: (a) a body including an outer surface defining a lumen and having a proximal end and a distal end; and (b) an expandable tip on the distal end, the expandable tip including a sidewall that is continuous and non-convoluted in an unexpanded state and including an opening axially extending therethrough and configured, upon insertion of a device having a larger outer diameter than the inner diameter of the expandable tip, to permit passage of the device therethrough, the expandable tip being configured to expand commensurately with a difference between the outer diameter of the device and the inner diameter of the expandable tip, wherein the expandable tip comprises a tubular wall having an axially extending weakened portion formed from (1) at least two axially aligned slit segments and (2) at least two segments that are axially aligned with one another and with the slit segments and that are strengthened when compared to the slit segments, one of the strengthened segments being positioned between two of the slit segments and another, distal-most strengthened segments being formed between a distal-most slit segment and a distal end of the expandable tip and being weakened when compared to portions of the tubular wall that are circumferentially adjacent to the distal-most strengthened segment.