Patent ID: 8690936

Claim:
A sheath for introducing a prosthetic device into a body, comprising: a substantially circumferentially continuous inner tubular layer comprising at least one longitudinal pleat; an outer tubular layer; and a lumen enclosed by the inner tubular layer and the outer tubular layer, wherein the outer tubular layer contains a longitudinal cut through it such that the outer tubular layer comprises a first longitudinal edge, a second longitudinal edge, and a gap there between, the longitudinal cut facilitating radial expansion of the sheath, wherein a portion of the at least one longitudinal pleat extends into the gap, wherein the portion of the at least one longitudinal pleat extending into the gap extends through the gap to an outer surface of the outer tubular layer in a non-expanded configuration, wherein a portion of the sheath enclosed by both the inner tubular layer and the outer tubular layer, and surrounding a prosthetic device passing through the lumen expands to accommodate a profile of the prosthetic device, and wherein the expanded portion of the sheath automatically contracts after the prosthetic device passes therethrough.