Patent ID: 8282664
Filing Date: 2012-10-09
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
1. A percutaneous access system adapted for providing minimally invasive access, comprising: an access sheath comprising a circumferentially continuous elongate tubular body that defines a lumen, at least a portion of the elongate tubular body being expandable from a first, folded, smaller cross-sectional profile to a second, unfolded, greater cross-sectional profile, the expandable portion of the elongate tubular body having a beveled distal tip, the beveled distal tip comprising a leading edge, a trailing edge, and an aperture, and wherein the expandable portion of the elongate tubular body, when in the first, folded, smaller cross-sectional profile, has two longitudinal creased outer creases that lie on a perimeter of the expandable portion and two longitudinal inner creases that lie within the perimeter of the expandable portion, all of the outer creases and inner creases positioned generally opposite the side of the expandable portion of the elongate tubular body on which the leading edge is positioned; an expandable device positioned within the lumen of the expandable portion of the elongate tubular body configured to expand said expandable portion of the elongate tubular body from said first cross-sectional profile to said second cross-sectional profile while said expandable device remains stationary along its longitudinal axis; and wherein the tubular body is sufficiently pliable that when the expandable portion of the elongate tubular body is in the second, greater cross-sectional area, the elongate tubular body is capable of bending at least about 15 degrees with respect to a straight longitudinal axis extending through the lumen while maintaining at least about 50% of the cross-sectional area of the lumen in the second, greater cross-sectional profile.