Patent ID: 8382793
Filing Date: 2013-02-26
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method of positioning an introducer sheath with respect to a blood vessel having a puncture hole and deploying a sealing device, comprising: providing an introducer sheath having a distal portion with a first diameter and a proximal portion with a second diameter, the first diameter being smaller than the diameter of said puncture hole and the second diameter being larger than the diameter of said puncture hole, the introducer sheath further comprising a transition portion between the distal portion and the proximal portion, wherein the distal portion, the proximal portion, and the transition portion form a monolithic portion of the introducer sheath; inserting the introducer sheath into the puncture hole such that the transition portion contacts an outer surface of the blood vessel to stop the proximal portion from entering the blood vessel and to position a distal end of the introducer sheath in the blood vessel such that the distal end of the introducer sheath is positioned at a predetermined distance from the blood vessel wall; and deploying a sealing device from an opening at the distal end of the introducer sheath at the predetermined distance from the blood vessel wall into the blood vessel; wherein the transition portion is oriented in a radial direction perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the introducer sheath.