← EPO Patent Bulletin

EXPANDABLE SHEATH FOR INTRODUCING AN ENDOVASCULAR DELIVERY DEVICE INTO A BODY

Search Report EP4663228A3 Kind: A3 Mar 18, 2026

Applicants

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation

Inventors

Tran, Sonny, Lee, Jeong Soo, Saleh, Nasser William, Tamir, Ilan, Scherb, Daniel J., Fine, Maxwell Harrison, Gowdar, Alpana Kiran, Tran, Tri D., Avery, Neal H., Ghanbari, Sarah, Trinh, Uy D., Mak, Sovanpheap, Bulman, Erik, Mercado, Raymond

Abstract

Aspects of an expandable sheath can be used in conjunction with a catheter assembly to introduce a prosthetic device, such as a heart valve, into a patient. Such aspects can minimize trauma to the vessel by allowing for temporary expansion of a portion of the introducer sheath to accommodate the delivery apparatus, followed by a return to the original diameter once the prosthetic device passes through. Some aspects can include a sheath with a variable diameter inner liner wound in a spiral slidable configuration and an outer layer. The disclosed sheath is configured to expand from a predetermined rest diameter dr to an expanded diameter de during application of a radial outward force by passage of a medical device through the sheath.

IPC Classifications

A61F 2/95 20130101AFI20260209BHEP A61F 2/962 20130101ALI20260209BHEP A61F 2/966 20130101ALI20260209BHEP A61M 25/00 20060101ALI20260209BHEP

Designated States

AL, AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HR, HU, IE, IS, IT, LI, LT, LU, LV, MC, MK, MT, NL, NO, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SI, SK, SM, TR