Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
A flexible, kink-resistant, introducer sheath, comprising: an inner tube having a passageway extending longitudinally therethrough a coil having a plurality of turns positioned longitudinally and compression fitted around and applying a compressive forces to said inner tube, said turns having a predetermined spacing therebetween; and an outer tube positioned longitudinally around said coil and said inner tube and connected to said inner tube through the spaces between said turns.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
69 words
A flexible, kink-resistant, introducer sheath, comprising: an inner tube having a passageway extending longitudinally therethrough a coil having a plurality of turns positioned longitudinally and compression fitted around and applying a compressive forces to said inner tube, said turns having a predetermined spacing therebetween; and an outer tube positioned longitudinally around said coil and said inner tube and connected to said inner tube through the spaces between said turns.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The sheath of claim 1 wherein said passageway of said inner tube has a uniform diameter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The sheath of claim 2 wherein said inner tube comprises a lubricous material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The sheath of claim 3 wherein said lubricous material comprises polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The sheath of claim 3 wherein said inner tube includes a smooth inner surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The sheath of claim 4 wherein said outer tube comprises polyamide.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
10 words
The sheath of claim 6 wherein said polyamide comprises nylon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The sheath of claim 1 wherein said inner tube includes a rough outer surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The sheath of claim 1 wherein said coil is compression fitted around said inner tube by winding said coil around said inner tube.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
The sheath of claim 1 wherein said coil comprises flat wire.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The sheath of claim 1 wherein said inner tube includes a rough outer surface and wherein said outer tube comprises a heat formable material mechanically connected to said rough outer surface of said inner tube.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
The sheath of claim 11 further comprising a heat shrinkable tube positioned around said outer tube for compressing said outer tube between the spaces of said coil and mechanically connecting said outer tube to said rough surface of said inner tube when heated.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
The sheath of claim 1 wherein each of said inner and outer tubes and said coil includes an end and wherein the end of said inner and outer tube extends beyond the end of said coil.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The sheath of claim 13 wherein the end of said outer tube ends beyond the end of said inner tube and is tapered.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The sheath of claim 14 wherein the passageway about the ends of said inner and outer tubes has a uniform inner diameter.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The sheath of claim 14 further comprising tip material bonded to the distal end of said outer tube.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The sheath of claim 16 wherein the ends of said inner and outer tubes are flared.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
87 words
A flexible, kink-resistant, introducer sheath, comprising: an inner tube having a smooth inner surface, a rough outer surface, and a uniform diameter passageway extending longitudinally therethrough; a flat wire coil having a plurality of turns positioned longitudinally and compression fitted around said inner tube, said turns having a predetermined spacing therebetween; and an outer tube positioned longitudinally and heat shrunk between the spaces of said coil and around said coil and around said inner tube and mechanically connected to said rough outer surface of said inner tube.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
87 words
A flexible, kink-resistant, introducer sheath, comprising: an inner tube having a smooth inner surface, a rough outer surface, and a uniform diameter passageway extending longitudinally therethrough; a flat wire coil having a plurality of turns positioned longitudinally and compression fitted around said inner tube, said turns having a predetermined spacing therebetween; and an outer tube positioned longitudinally and heat shrunk between the spaces of said coil and around said coil and around said inner tube and mechanically connected to said rough outer surface of said inner tube.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The sheath of claim 18 further comprising a heat shrink tube positioned around said outer tube.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
136 words
A percutaneous introducer sheath, comprising: a lubricous material tube having a smooth inner surface defining a uniform passageway extending longitudinally therethrough, and an etched outer surface; a flat wire coil having a plurality of turns positioned longitudinally and compression fitted around said lubricous material tube and proximally from an end of said lubricous material tube, said turns having a predetermined spacing therebetween; a heat deformable polyamide material tube heat shrunk between the spaces of said coil and mechanically connected with said etched outer surface of said lubricous material tube through the spaces between said turns and having a smooth outer surface and tip material bonded thereto to form a tapered distal end extending distally beyond said end of said lubricous material tube; and an fluorinated ethylene propylene material tube heat shrunk around said heat deformable tube.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
136 words
A percutaneous introducer sheath, comprising: a lubricous material tube having a smooth inner surface defining a uniform passageway extending longitudinally therethrough, and an etched outer surface; a flat wire coil having a plurality of turns positioned longitudinally and compression fitted around said lubricous material tube and proximally from an end of said lubricous material tube, said turns having a predetermined spacing therebetween; a heat deformable polyamide material tube heat shrunk between the spaces of said coil and mechanically connected with said etched outer surface of said lubricous material tube through the spaces between said turns and having a smooth outer surface and tip material bonded thereto to form a tapered distal end extending distally beyond said end of said lubricous material tube; and an fluorinated ethylene propylene material tube heat shrunk around said heat deformable tube.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
69 words
A flexible, kink-resistant, introducer sheath, comprising: an inner tube having a passageway extending longitudinally therethrough; a coil having a plurality of turns wound and compression fitted around and applying a compressive force to said inner tube, said turns having a plurality of spaces therebetween; and an outer tube positioned longitudinally around said coil and said inner tube and connected to said inner tube through said spaces between said turns.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
69 words
A flexible, kink-resistant, introducer sheath, comprising: an inner tube having a passageway extending longitudinally therethrough; a coil having a plurality of turns wound and compression fitted around and applying a compressive force to said inner tube, said turns having a plurality of spaces therebetween; and an outer tube positioned longitudinally around said coil and said inner tube and connected to said inner tube through said spaces between said turns.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
The sheath of claim 21 wherein said coil has an inner diameter smaller than an outer diameter of said inner tube.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
29 words
The sheath of claim 21 wherein said coil is wound and compression fitted around said inner tube by expanding said coil and wrapping said coil around said inner tube.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
18 words
The sheath of claim 21 further comprising a radiopaque marker positioned about a distal end of said coil.