| abstract |
A blood pump assembly includes an introducer sheath having a proximal end and a distal end, a pump body extending within the introducer sheath, and a catheter connected to the pump body and extending proximally through the introducer sheath. In a resting state, the introducer sheath forms an oval cross-section sized to enclose the catheter and a medical device. In the constrained state, when the pump body is within the introducer sheath, the cross-section of the introducer sheath is circular. The flexibility of the introducer sheath allows larger medical devices to be passed through the introducer sheath while simultaneously inserting other devices through the introducer sheath after the pump has been passed. The perimeter of the oval cross-section of the introducer sheath is equal to the perimeter of the circular cross-section of the introducer sheath. |