The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 30, 2026
Filed:
Apr. 21, 2023
Edwards Lifesciences Corporation, Irvine, CA (US);
Ilan Tamir, Irvine, CA (US);
Devin H. Marr, Westford, MA (US);
David A. Rezac, Lancaster, MA (US);
Michelle Riches, Leominster, MA (US);
Bridget Bergstrom, Maple Grove, MN (US);
Julia Stoddard, Harvard, MA (US);
Edwards Lifesciences Corporation, Irvine, CA (US);
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 comprising an inner layer comprising a reinforcing layer rolled into a spiral slidable configuration and encapsulated within a polymer layer comprising a tether portion and an outer layer disposed over the inner layer. The disclosed sheath is configured to locally expand from a predetermined first diameter dto an expanded second diameter dduring application of a radial outward force by passage of the medical device through the sheath.