Patent ID: 7713193
Filing Date: 2010-05-11
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
1. A percutaneous access system for providing minimally invasive access, comprising: an access sheath comprising an elongate tubular body that defines a lumen, the elongate tubular body comprising a distal region and a proximal region, wherein the distal region is expandable from a first, folded, substantially circular and continuous, smaller cross-sectional profile to a second, fully unfolded and greater cross-sectional profile, the first, folded profile including only two longitudinally extending creased outer sections that lie on a perimeter of the folded tubular body and face each other, and only two longitudinally extending creased inner sections that lie within the folded tubular body and face away from each other, wherein the proximal region does not include folds and has a cross-sectional profile that is larger than the first, folded, smaller cross-sectional profile of the distal region, and wherein the access sheath further comprises a transition region with a tapering profile between the proximal region and the first, folded, smaller cross-sectional profile of the distal region; an expandable device positioned within the lumen of the elongate tubular body, said expandable device configured to radially expand said distal region of the elongate tubular body from said first profile to said second profile while said expandable device remains stationary along its longitudinal axis; and a thin tubular jacket that substantially surrounds the access sheath to restrain at least a portion of the distal region of the elongate tubular body in the first, folded, smaller cross-sectional profile, said tubular jacket configured to tear upon said radial expansion of said distal region of the elongate tubular body; wherein the elongate tubular body is sufficiently pliable to allow the passage of objects having a maximum cross-sectional dimension that is larger than an inner diameter of a circle corresponding to the cross-sectional area of the elongate tubular body when the distal region is in the second, fully unfolded and greater cross-sectional profile.