Patent ID: 7815762

Claim:
A method of forming an introducer sheath having a tapered distal tip portion, comprising: providing a mandrel having an outer configuration comprising an elongated body and a tapered distal tip; positioning a generally tubular inner liner over the mandrel, said inner liner comprising a heat shrinkable fluoropolymer; heat shrinking the inner liner over the mandrel such that said inner liner shrinks to the outer configuration of the mandrel, a distal portion of the inner liner shrinking to the configuration of the mandrel tapered distal tip and having an inner diameter substantially free of creases therealong; positioning a reinforcing member over a length of the inner liner; positioning an outer jacket over the reinforcing member and the inner liner; and heating an assembly comprising said inner liner, reinforcing member, and outer jacket, such that said outer jacket bonds to an outer surface of said inner liner.