Patent ID: 6287291
Filing Date: 2001-09-11
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
A sheath for use with a guide wire and catheter system, comprising:an elongated body having a distal end, wherein the elongated body is a tubular member and having an exit port closer to the distal end than to the proximal end of said elongated body through which the guide wire extends when the sheath is used with a rapid-exchange-style catheter;a protective section for enclosing and protecting a distal portion of the catheter system, and having a proximal end adjacent the elongated body distal end and a distal end;a tapered end section that smoothly tapers from a first larger cross section proximal end adjacent the protective section distal end to a reduced cross section distal end and being formed with a notch through which the protected enclosed distal portion of the catheter system may extend;a distal tip disposed adjacent the tapered section reduced cross section distal end, the notch being formed entirely within a tapered outer wall surface of the reduced cross section distal end and positioned proximally relative to the distal tip; andan adapter at a proximal end of the elongated body through which the catheter system may pass, wherein said adapter is configured to prevent the back-flow of blood and allow the flushing of the sheath and catheter prior to insertion into the patient.