Patent ID: 9044577
Filing Date: 2015-06-02
Classification: A61B,A61F,A61M,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A percutaneous access sheath assembly comprising: an elongate tubular structure, a distal portion of said elongate tubular structure being expandable from a first cross-sectional profile to a second cross-sectional profile; malleable reinforcing structures embedded within the wall of the distal portion, wherein the malleable reinforcing structures maintain the configuration of the distal portion in the state where it is forced by either manufacturing processes or expansion by a dilator; a proximal portion of said elongate tubular structure being non-expandable; a transition zone tapering from said larger non-expandable proximal portion to said smaller cross-section distal portion; and a dilator comprising a balloon positionable inside said elongate tubular structure, wherein inflation of the balloon causes at least a portion of said distal portion to expand diametrically, wherein the balloon is removable from said elongate tubular structure after it has expanded the distal section and has been at least partially deflated; wherein the first tapering point is present before said balloon is inflated but not after said balloon is inflated.