Patent ID: 8628496

Claim:
An introducer apparatus, comprising: an outer sleeve having proximal and distal open ends, and having a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough, said outer sleeve having a profile such that at least a portion of said outer sleeve tapers toward said outer sleeve distal end at an angle not exceeding about 2° relative to a longitudinal axis of the apparatus, said distal open end of said outer sleeve having a wall thickness not exceeding about 0.003 inch; and an inner cannula having proximal and distal open ends, and having a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough, said inner cannula sized to be received within the lumen of said outer sleeve, said inner cannula having a portion that tapers toward the inner cannula distal end, said tapered distal portion of said inner cannula extending distal to the distal open end of said outer sleeve and having a profile such that a generally smooth and gradual diametrical transition is provided from the outer sleeve tapered portion and through said inner cannula open end; and wherein the greatest radial extent of the inner cannula is less than the inner diameter of the outer sleeve.