Abstract:
The present invention provides a surgical vascular introducer sheath comprising first and second members and a retainer. The first member has a first longitudinally extending lumen configured and dimensioned to receive a surgical instrument therethrough and a first side opening in an outer wall in fluid communication with the first lumen. The second member has a second longitudinally extending lumen and a second side opening in fluid communication with the second lumen, wherein at least a portion of the first member is positioned within the second lumen of the second member. The retainer is positioned at a distal portion of the first member and is movable from a first retracted position to a second extended position to limit proximal movement of the introducer in response to movement of the first member. Rotational movement of the first member in a first direction moves the retainer to the extended position and rotational movement of the first member in a second direction moves the retainer to a retracted position and moves the first and second side openings from a non-aligned position to an aligned position.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority from provisional patent application Serial No. 60/251,559, filed Dec. 6, 2000, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND  
         [0002]    1. Technical Field  
           [0003]    This application relates to an introducer sheath and more particularly to a vascular introducer sheath having a retainer to prevent dislodgement during use.  
           [0004]    2. Background of Related Art  
           [0005]    An introducer sheath is commonly used in vascular surgery as an access port for surgical instruments. The introducer sheath has a central passageway to accommodate such instrumentation and is inserted through a skin incision and into the vessel wall, such as the renal or femoral artery or vein, so the instruments can access the interior of the vessel. The introducer sheath can also be inserted into dialysis grafts to provide access to the graft. The introducer sheaths have peripheral, cardiac, and neurovascular applications.  
           [0006]    Once the surgical introducer sheath is placed, various instruments are inserted and withdrawn through the passageway into the vessel interior, depending on the surgical procedure. Examples of such instrumentation include dilators, angioplasty balloon catheters, stent deployment catheters, angiographic instruments, thrombectomy devices and embolization instruments. These instruments typically having an outer diameter close to the internal diameter of the introducer sheath which means they will usually abut the inside wall of the sheath. This relatively tight fit oftentimes results in excessive frictional engagement with the inside wall of the sheath, causing dislodgement of the sheath during instrument withdrawal through the passageway in the sheath. Additionally, surgical instrumentation which include an inflatable balloon, when initially inserted through the sheath have a smaller diameter because the balloon is tightly wrapped around the catheter. However, after the balloon is inflated inside the vessel and then deflated for withdrawal, it is not as tightly wrapped as initial insertion. Thus, when the balloon catheter is withdrawn through the introducer sheath, there is a greater frictional contact with the inside wall of the sheath and therefore a greater likelihood of dislodgement.  
           [0007]    Dislodgement of the sheath creates numerous problems. If the position of the sheath is altered by removal of an instrument, when the next instrument is inserted, it will not properly be positioned at the surgical site. Thus the surgeon must undertake the time consuming task of repositioning the sheath and instrument within the vessel. The problems with dislodgement become more acute if withdrawal of the instrument actually pulls the introducer sheath out of the vessel wall incision altogether. This can occur if there is sufficient frictional contact with the instrument and introducer sheath, and a sufficient proximal force is applied by the surgeon. Such undesirable removal of the introducer sheath can cause loss of blood, air aspiration which can result in air embolisms possibly causing stroke, and an increased risk of infection and morbidity. Additionally, since the surgeon needs to reintroduce the introducer sheath into the vessel, the surgeon may be unable to locate the exact prior incision site, thereby having to enlarge the incision site or create a second incision, thereby causing additional blood loss and increasing the difficulty of closing the vessel incision(s) at the end of the procedure. Vessel fatigue can also result because re-introduction of the sheath requires insertion of a needle and dilator through the vessel wall.  
           [0008]    Another disadvantage of complete dislodgement of the sheath is the additional time required to re-introduce the sheath. This time loss can be especially significant if re-introduction is required at a critical time of the procedure. That is, if the sheath is fully withdrawn from the vessel, access to the vessel will be temporarily denied, thereby interrupting the surgical procedure which can mean appropriate instrumentation, perhaps even life-saving instrumentation, cannot be inserted to the surgical site.  
           [0009]    Due to the concern of dislodgement, surgeons sometimes over-insert the introducer sheath so the tip is spaced further from the incision. This way, if the sheath is inadvertently pulled proximally, it will have some room to move before it is pulled out fully from the incision. However, over-insertion of the introducer sheath can adversely affect surgical access as the surgical site can be blocked by the sheath, especially if the site is adjacent the incision.  
           [0010]    Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide a mechanism to retain the introducer sheath within the vessel. However, such mechanism needs to be configured so as not to damage the vessel wall. Consequently, a retaining mechanism must effectively strike a balance between sufficient strength to retain the introducer sheath while providing atraumatic contact with the vessel wall.  
           [0011]    The need therefore exists for an atraumatic introducer sheath which has greater retention capabilities, to thereby minimize the chances of dislodgement. By minimizing the likelihood of dislodgement, the foregoing risks to the patient would advantageously be eliminated.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0012]    The present invention overcomes the disadvantages and deficiencies of the prior introducer sheaths by advantageously providing an introducer sheath having a retainer that is selectively extendable with respect to the sheath, thereby functioning to retain the sheath within the vessel. Extending the retainer radially from the introducer sheath creates an enlarged diameter region greater than the diameter of the incision into the vessel to prevent withdrawal of the sheath through the incision, and in smaller vessels, enabling the retainer to frictionally engage the vessel wall to restrict sliding movement of the sheath.  
           [0013]    More specifically, the present invention provides a surgical vascular introducer sheath comprising first and second members and a retainer. The first member has a first longitudinally extending lumen configured and dimensioned to receive a surgical instrument therethrough and a first side opening in an outer wall in fluid communication with the first lumen. The second member has a second longitudinally extending lumen configured and dimensioned to receive the first member and a second side opening in the outer wall in fluid communication with the second lumen. The retainer is positioned at a distal portion of the first member and is movable from a first retracted position to a second extended position to limit proximal movement of the introducer. Preferably, rotational movement of the first member in a first direction moves the retainer to the extended position and rotational movement in a second direction moves the retainer to a retracted position and moves the first and second side openings from a non-aligned position to an aligned position.  
           [0014]    Preferably, the retainer comprises a flap having a curved configuration in the extended position and an opening to allow blood flow therethrough.  
           [0015]    The introducer sheath may further comprise a locking mechanism for maintaining the retainer in the extended position. The locking mechanism may comprise a locking pin slidable within a locking groove having a narrowed section to retain the pin. Preferably, a proximal portion of the first and second members is positioned within a housing with the locking groove positioned on the housing and the locking pin extending from the first member. The housing may further have an internal keyway slot to receive a key extending from the second member to prevent rotation of the second member.  
           [0016]    The introducer sheath may include a second retainer movable in response to rotation of the first member between retracted and extended positions to limit proximal movement of the introducer sheath.  
           [0017]    The present invention also provides a surgical sheath for providing a passageway for instrumentation into a vessel comprising a first tubular member having a first lumen extending longitudinally therein configured and dimensioned for receiving surgical vascular instruments therethrough, a second tubular member having a second longitudinally extending lumen wherein at least a portion of the first tubular member is positioned within the second lumen of the second tubular member, and a retainer extendable from the first tubular member. The retainer is spaced proximally from a distalmost tip of the first tubular member and limits proximal movement of the sheath with respect to the vessel to prevent dislodgement of the sheath from the vessel incision. The retainer is movable from a first position to a second position extending laterally with respect to the tubular member in response to rotational movement of the first member.  
           [0018]    The retainer preferably comprises a flap having a curved configuration in the extended position, with the flap extending longitudinally alongside the sheath. The flap preferably comprises a spring-like member movable to the second position in response to rotational movement of the first member, with the second member having an opening to allow movement of the spring-like member to the second position.  
           [0019]    The present invention also provides a method for preventing dislodgement of a vascular introducer sheath through a vascular incision when the introducer sheath is positioned through the incision with a distal portion extending into the vessel, the method comprising the steps of:  
           [0020]    inserting an introducer sheath through an incision in the vessel wall so a distal portion of the sheath extends into the vessel,  
           [0021]    rotating an inner tubular member of the introducer sheath to move a retainer from a retracted position to an extended position so the retainer extends radially outwardly with respect to the introducer sheath,  
           [0022]    introducing a surgical vascular instrument into the introducer sheath;  
           [0023]    performing a surgical step in a vascular procedure with the surgical instrument;  
           [0024]    withdrawing the surgical instrument, the retainer preventing proximal movement of the introducer sheath through the vessel incision during withdrawal of the surgical instrument; and  
           [0025]    rotating the inner tubular member of the introducer sheath to return the retainer to its retracted position; and  
           [0026]    removing the introducer sheath from the vessel through the vascular incision.  
           [0027]    The step of rotating the inner tube of the introducer sheath to move the retainer from the retracted position to the extended position preferably aligns holes in the introducer sheath to allow blood flow for therethrough. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0028]    Preferred embodiment(s) of the present disclosure are described herein with reference to the drawings wherein:  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the introducer sheath of the present invention with the retainer in the retracted position;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the introducer sheath of FIG. 1 with the retainer in the extended position;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the introducer sheath of FIG. 1 with the retainer in the extended position;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 4 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken along lines  4 - 4  of FIG. 3;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the introducer sheath of FIG. 1;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 6 is a transverse cross-sectional view showing the orientation of the side port and keyway of the housing;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 7 is a transverse cross-sectional view showing the dialysis holes of the inner and outer tubular members out of alignment prior to deployment of the retainer;  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the introducer sheath of FIG. 1 showing the components in phantom inside the housing;  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the locking pin and groove of FIG. 8;  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the distal portion of an alternate embodiment of the introducer sheath having an angled tip to facilitate insertion;  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 11 is a side view of the introducer sheath of FIG. 10;  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 12 illustrates the introducer sheath of FIG. 1 inside a vessel with the retainer in the extended position to prevent withdrawal of the introducer sheath through the incision;  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 13 illustrates the distal portion of the introducer sheath of FIG. 1 inserted into a small vessel wherein the retainer, in its extended position, frictionally engages the vessel wall to limit proximal movement of the introducer sheath;  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 14 illustrates a catheter being withdrawn from the introducer sheath of FIG. 1, the retainer engaging the vessel wall to limit proximal movement;  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the distal portion of another alternate embodiment of the introducer sheath of the present invention having two retainers extending from the inner tubular member;  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a distal portion of yet another alternate embodiment of the introducer sheath of the present invention having a retainer deployable by longitudinal movement of the inner tubular member; and  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 17 is perspective view of the distal portion of the introducer sheath of FIG. 16 showing the retainer in the extended position. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0046]    Introducer sheaths are commonly used in vascular surgery to provide a passageway for instrumentation. The introducer sheath is inserted into a vessel or a graft (e.g. a dialysis graft) and a variety of instruments for performing the specific surgical procedure are introduced therethrough to access the surgical site. Since the instruments are repeatedly inserted and withdrawn during the surgical procedure, and have a diameter closely matching the internal diameter of the sheath, the introducer sheath has the tendency to be dislodged, and perhaps even withdrawn from the vessel incision as discussed above. Additionally, certain instruments, such as balloon catheters, may have a larger diameter during withdrawal then insertion, thereby increasing the chances of dislodgment. The introducer sheaths of the present invention advantageously have a retainer for limiting proximal movement and preventing full dislodgement of the introducer sheath during surgery. That is, the retainer is extendable from the sheath to create an enlarged diameter or circumferential portion exceeding the size of the vessel incision and in smaller vessels, frictionally engaging the vessel wall.  
         [0047]    Referring now in detail to the drawings where like reference numerals identify similar or like components throughout the several views, FIGS.  1 - 9  illustrate a first embodiment of the introducer sheath of the present invention, designated generally by reference numeral  10 .  
         [0048]    The introducer sheath  10  has a proximal portion  12 , a distal portion  14 , an outer tubular member  20  and an inner tubular member  30  disposed concentrically within the outer tubular member  20 . A retainer  40 , in the form of a flap, extends from inner tube  30 . Retainer  40  is movable from a retracted position where it is retained by outer tube  20  as shown in FIG. 1, to an extended (blocking) position where it extends radially outwardly from the inner tube  30  and outer tube  20  as shown in FIG. 2. This radial movement increases the overall circumference or diameter of the introducer sheath  10 , thereby causing the sheath  10  to engage the vessel wall or wall surrounding the incision in the manner described below.  
         [0049]    Outer tube  20 , preferably circular in cross section as shown, (although oval or other shapes can be utilized) has a distal portion  21 , a proximal portion  23  and a central longitudinal lumen  22  dimensioned and configured to receive inner tube  30 . A cutout  25  in the outer tube  30  is configured to allow passage of flap  40 , which preferably extends integrally from inner tube  30  and longitudinally alongside the tube (“I”) in the extended position. Distal nose  28  of tube  20  is slightly tapered to facilitate insertion through the incision and vessel.  
         [0050]    Inner tube  30  is also preferably circular in cross section (although oval or other shapes can be utilized and has a distal portion  31  and a proximal portion  33 . Central lumen  32  extends longitudinally along the entire length of the inner tube  30  and is configured and dimensioned to receive surgical instruments therethrough.  
         [0051]    Retainer or flap  40  is deployed by rotation of inner tube  30 . Flap  40  is preferably curved and U-shaped as shown to form an opening  43  to allow blood flow therethrough. The smooth shaped surface provides atraumatic contact with the vessel wall. In the retracted position, retainer  40  is out of alignment with cutout  25  of outer tube  20 . Thus, the inner wall of the outer tube  20  maintains the retainer  40  in the retracted position. To deploy the retainer  40 , inner tube  30  is rotated in the direction of the arrow to align the retainer  40  with the cutout or opening  25 , thereby allowing the retainer  40  to move to an extended position to function to block proximal movement of the introducer sheath  10 .  
         [0052]    Retainer  40  is preferably composed of a spring-like material biased to the extended position so that it will more easily move to its extended position when aligned with cutout  25  in outer tube  20 . An edge  41  of the outer wall adjacent the cutout can be angled to facilitate return of the spring-like retainer to the retracted position when the inner tube  30  is rotated in the reverse direction.  
         [0053]    With reference to FIGS. 5, 8 and  9 , introducer sheath  10  further includes a retainer locking element to maintain the retainer or flap  40  in the extended position. Inner tube  30  has a locking pin  85  extending from enlarged head  86  which is received within transverse locking groove  90  of housing  92 . As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, locking groove  90  is slightly arcuate and has two lobes  94 ,  96  at opposite ends and adjacent narrowed regions  93 ,  95 . When the retainer  40  is in the retracted position of FIG. 1, locking pin  85  is seated within lobe  96  and is prevented from movement within the groove  90  by narrowed region  95 . To move the retainer to the extended position to limit movement of the introducer sheath  10 , locking pin  85  is grasped by the user and moved within groove  90 . By supplying sufficient force, locking pin  85  is forced through narrowed region  95 , slightly stretching the flexible material around the groove. Movement of locking pin  85  rotates the inner tube  30 , while the outer tube  20  remains stationary, thereby moving retainer  40  to its extended position. This pin and groove arrangement also keeps inner tube  30  fixed longitudinally during rotation.  
         [0054]    To lock the retainer  40  in its extended position, locking pin  85  is forced through narrowed region  93  into lobe  94 . After being slightly stretched by passage of locking pin  85 , narrowed region  93  returns to its original configuration to block exit of locking pin  85 . Thus, locking pin  85  is prevented from sliding within locking groove  90 , thereby blocking inner tube  30  from rotation and maintaining retainer  40  in the blocking (extended) position.  
         [0055]    When it is desired to move retainer  40  back to its retracted position, locking pin  85  is forced through narrowed regions  93  and  95 , by movement in the reverse direction, and returned to lobe  96 . During movement of the inner tube  30  in either direction, outer tube  20  remains stationary due to the engagement of key  75  of enlarged head  77  with keyway slot  91  of housing  92 , shown in phantom in FIG. 5. Inner tube  30  is prevented from sliding longitudinally by groove  90 . As an alternative to the keyway, an adhesive or any energy welding system, e.g. radiofrequency, ultrasonic, etc., can be utilized to keep the outer tube  20  stationary.  
         [0056]    Visual indicators could optionally be provided at the lobes to indicate to the user the position of the retainer. For example, an “R” for retracted can be provided adjacent lobe  96  on the housing  92  and an “E” for extended can be provided adjacent lobe  94 .  
         [0057]    With continued reference to FIG. 5, housing  92  has assembly slot  99  communicating with groove  90  for ease of assembly. That is, for assembly, locking pin  95  is slid through slot  99  into groove  90  and locking cap  100  is placed over distal portion  98  of housing  92  effectively closing slot  99  to lock pin  85  within groove  90 . A valve  102  is positioned within housing  92  to prevent outflow of blood through proximal opening  107  of housing  92 . If introducer sheath  10  is used for dialysis as explained below, the valve is preferably a silicone valve to accommodate additional pressure from the vacuum for blood withdrawal. A donut like element  104 , preferably composed of foam and having central opening  105 , is positioned between valve  102  and proximal wall  97  of housing  92 . Donut  104  is preferably laced with a lubricant such as silicone to promote lubricity during insertion of surgical instruments and to prevent valve damage due to friction.  
         [0058]    The introducer sheath  10  includes a plurality of holes for either blood withdrawal or blood return so the introducer sheath can remain in the body for dialysis or other surgical procedures. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, outer tube  20  has side holes  61  formed through its outer wall  64  and inner tube  30  has side holes  71  formed through outer wall  74 . These holes  61 ,  71 , when aligned, allow for passage of blood through lumen  72 , out through side aperture  79  in enlarged head portion  77 , and exiting through side port  109  in housing  92 . Conventional tubing  110 , as shown in FIG. 1, is connected to side port  109 . Tubing  110  includes conventional tube clamp  112  and luer fitting  114  which do not form part of this invention and are therefore not further described. If used for dialysis, two introducer sheaths  10  could be provided: one sheath  10  for withdrawal of blood from the vessel for passage to the dialysis machine and a second sheath  10  for return of blood from the dialysis machine to the vessel. Alternatively, if used for dialysis, introducer sheath  10  could be use for blood withdrawal or delivery, and another instrument, such as dialysis needle could be used for opposite blood flow. Also, although three holes are shown spaced approximately 120 degrees apart, it should be appreciated that other spacings and fewer or a greater number of holes could be provided for dialysis or for other procedures.  
         [0059]    [0059]FIG. 7 illustrates the interaction of the side holes  61  and  71  of the outer and inner tubes  20 ,  30  respectively. When the retainer  40  is in the retracted position, holes  61  and  71  are out of alignment as shown, thereby preventing blood flow through central lumen  32 . However, when inner tube  30  is rotated to extend retainer  40  to the blocking (extended) position, side holes  61  are rotated into alignment with side holes  71 . Thus when inner tube  30  is locked in the rotated position with locking pin  85  retained in lobe  94 , holes  61  and  71  are in alignment and blood can pass through these holes into central lumen  32 .  
         [0060]    Proximal opening  107  in housing  92  allows for passage of a guidewire and surgical instrumentation, the guidewire and surgical instruments passing through opening  105  in donut  104 , through valve  102  and through opening  106  in cap  100  into central lumen  32 .  
         [0061]    [0061]FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate an alternate embodiment of the introducer sheath having an angled or beveled end to facilitate insertion. Introducer sheath  50  has tip  52  at an angle greater than 90 degrees as shown so that edge  54  will enter the tissue before edge  56  to reduce the penetration force. This angled tip can be provided on any of the introducer sheaths described herein.  
         [0062]    [0062]FIG. 15 illustrates an alternate embodiment wherein locking sheath  120  is provided with two retainers  122 , spaced apart as shown. Locking sheath  120  is substantially identical to the locking sheath of FIG. 1, in all other respects. Each retainer  122  is attached to inner tube  126 , extends through a cutout  123  in outer tube  125 , and is identical to retainer  40  of FIG. 1. The retainers  122  are shown in their retracted position, and are deployed simultaneously to their U-shaped configurations upon rotation of the inner tube  126  as described above with respect to the embodiment of FIGS.  1 - 9 . Holes  129  are provided for blood flow for dialysis.  
         [0063]    [0063]FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate another alternate embodiment of the introducer sheath of the present invention. Outer tube  202  of introducer sheath  200  has an integrally formed retainer flap  205 . Upon longitudinal movement of inner tube  207 , i.e. proximal movement in the direction of the arrow, flap  205 , attached to inner tube  207  at edge  209  is forced to a raised (extended) position, forming a V-shaped retaining element. This laterally extending flap functions to prevent dislodgement of the introducer sheath  200  during withdrawal of surgical instrumentation through lumen  204  in a similar manner as the other aforedescribed retainer embodiments. An opening  206  may optionally be provided to allow passage of blood when flap  205  is deployed to the extended position.  
         [0064]    The tips of any of the foregoing introducer sheaths can have radiopaque markers to provide visual indication of the catheter tip location. The markers can take a variety of forms such as a circular marker band wrapped around the outer tube or a radiopaque material welded onto the tip.  
         [0065]    The interior of the inner tubes of any of the foregoing embodiments can have a hydrophilic coating to facilitate instrument insertion through its lumen by reducing frictional contact. The outer surface of the outer tube could also be provided with a hydrophilic coating to reduce frictional contact with the skin and vessel during insertion  
         [0066]    FIGS.  12 - 14  illustrate the introducer sheath of the present invention in use. The introducer sheath  10  of FIGS.  1 - 9  is illustrated and described, (with the tubing removed for clarity) it being understood however, that any of the aforedescribed introducer sheaths would be utilized in a similar manner.  
         [0067]    [0067]FIG. 12 illustrates introducer sheath  10  positioned inside a vessel “v”, such as a common femoral artery. Sheath  10  is inserted through incision “i” in the vessel wall to gain access to the interior of the vessel. Once positioned as shown, the inner tube is rotated to deploy retainer  40  to an extended position as shown. In this extended position, the sheath  10  cannot fit through the incision “i”. Consequently when surgical instruments such as a balloon catheter shown in FIG. 14 are inserted and then withdrawn, the retainer  40  will contact the vessel wall around the incision, preventing undesirable withdrawal of the introducer sheath  10  through the incision. Being retained or “locked” inside the vessel, various instruments can be inserted and withdrawn through the sheath lumen without the introducer sheath  10  becoming dislodged and causing the problems associated with such dislodgement discussed above. The pin and groove locking arrangement maintains the retainer  40  in the extended (blocking) position as desired.  
         [0068]    When the introducer sheath  10  is ready to be removed from the vessel “v”, the inner tube is rotated in the reverse direction, disengaging the pin and groove locking arrangement, to thereby return the retainer to its retracted position substantially flush with the outer surface of the outer tube. Thus, the introducer sheath  10  can be withdrawn through incision “i”.  
         [0069]    When used in smaller vessels, not only will the retainer  40  of the introducer sheath  10  prevent full withdrawal from the incision, but it will contact the vessel wall “u” downstream of the incision as shown in FIG. 13. This contact results in frictional engagement with the wall, thereby restricting unwanted proximal movement of the introducer sheath  10  during withdrawal of surgical instruments, such as the balloon catheter of FIG. 14. The curved surface  41  of flap  40  provides atraumatic contact with the vessel wall.  
         [0070]    Although the introducer sheath is preferably composed of Pebax material, other materials such as nylon, polyethyelene, or polypropylene, or composites with braided components, can be utilized  
         [0071]    While the above description contains many specifics, those specifics should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the disclosure, but merely as exemplifications of preferred embodiments thereof. For example, the introducer sheaths could also be slightly curved or bendable/shapeable. Those skilled in the art will envision many other possible variations that are within the scope and spirit of the disclosure as defined by the claims appended hereto.