Patent ID: 7815608
Filing Date: 2010-10-19
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. An introducer assembly for accessing a target site in the anatomy of a patient, comprising: a sheath having a proximal end and a distal end, and having a lumen extending therethrough, at least a portion of said sheath distal end having a curved configuration; and a dilator having a proximal end and a distal end, said dilator sized to be received in said sheath lumen and having a length such that at least a distal tip portion of said dilator extends beyond the distal end of said sheath when said dilator is received in said sheath lumen, said distal tip portion being tapered, said dilator having a stiffness not exceeding a stiffness of said sheath curved portion such that said sheath substantially maintains said curved configuration when said dilator is received in said sheath lumen.