Patent ID: 8252015

Claim:
An apparatus for providing access to a body lumen, comprising: a tubular proximal portion formed by a self-supporting wall that does not significantly expand or collapse during use, the proximal portion having a length defined from a proximal end to a distal end thereof and a first lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end; and an expandable distal portion being fixedly attached directly to the wall of the tubular proximal portion, at the distal end of the tubular proximal portion, and extending distally from the distal end of the tubular proximal portion over a length that is less than the length of the proximal portion, the expandable distal portion including an expandable sheath and a stiffening member; wherein the expandable sheath includes a distal terminal end and defines a second lumen that extends distally from the distal end of the proximal tubular portion to a distal terminal opening of the second lumen, the second lumen being in fluid communication with the first lumen of the tubular proximal portion; the stiffening member is attached directly to the expandable sheath so as to extend alongside the second lumen, the stiffening member extending distally from the distal end of the tubular proximal portion and beyond the distal terminal opening of the second lumen; and the distal terminal opening of the second lumen is defined by a portion of a perimeter of the distal terminal end of the expandable sheath that becomes spaced apart from the stiffening member when the sheath is expanded, the distal terminal opening of the sheath lumen allowing passage therethrough, alongside the stiffening member, of a medical instrument into the body lumen, the medical instrument having been passed through the first lumen and the second lumen.