(i9) United States
(12) Patent Application Publication
Nance et al.
US 20060200188A1
(io) Pub. No.: US 2006/0200188 Al (43) Pub. Date: Sep. 7, 2006
(54) EXPANDABLE PERCUTANEOUS SHEATH
(76) Inventors: Edward J. Nance, Corona, CA (US);
Joseph Bishop, Menifee, CA (US); Jay
Lenker, Laguna Beach, CA (US);
Onnik Tchulluian, Carlsbad, CA (US);
George F. Kick, Casa Grande, AZ (US)
Correspondence Address:
KNOBBE MARTENS OLSON & BEAR LLP
2040 MAIN STREET
FOURTEENTH FLOOR
IRVINE, CA 92614 (US)
(21) Appl. No.: 11/415,659
Related U.S. Application Data
(63) Continuation of application No. 10/884,017, filed on Jul. 2, 2004, which is a continuation-in-part of application No. 10/728,728, filed on Dec. 5, 2003.
Publication Classification
(51) Int. CI.
A61M 29/00 (2006.01)
(52) U.S. CI 606/198
(57) ABSTRACT
Disclosed is an expandable percutaneous sheath, for introduction into the body while in a first, low cross-sectional area configuration, and subsequent expansion to a second, enlarged cross-sectional configuration. The sheath is maintained in the first, low cross-sectional configuration by a tubular restraint. In one application, the sheath is utilized to provide access for a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure such as percutaneous nephrostomy or urinary bladder access.
