| abstract |
A large diameter, flexible, kink-resistant and rotatable introducer sheath ( 10 ) for percutaneous delivery of a contained and implantable medical device in the vasculature of a patient. The introducer sheath includes a reinforcement such as a flat wire coil ( 23 ) fitted about an inner, lubricous material such as polytetrafluoroethylene tube ( 22 ). A wire braid ( 25 ) is placed around the coil to give good transfer of rotational forces. An outer tube ( 27 ) of a heat formable polyamide material is heat formed and compressed through the spaces between the wires of the braid and turns of the wire coil to mechanically connect the outer tube to the roughened outer surface of the inner tube. The durometer of the outer tube can be varied to effect the flexibility of the sheath. A radiopaque marker ( 42 ) is positioned at the distal end of the coil and around the inner tube for radiographic visualization. |