US 11,931,259 B2
Expandable sheath and methods of using the same
Thanh Huy Le, Oceanside, CA (US); Tung T. Le, Costa Mesa, CA (US); Sovanpheap Mak, Santa Ana, CA (US); Alpana Kiran Gowdar, Irvine, CA (US); Richard D. White, Costa Mesa, CA (US); and Sonny Tran, Westminster, CA (US)
Assigned to EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES CORPORATION, Irvine, CA (US)
Filed by Edwards Lifesciences Corporation, Irvine, CA (US)
Filed on May 4, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/865,656.
Application 16/865,656 is a continuation of application No. 16/010,744, filed on Jun. 18, 2018, granted, now 10,639,152.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/522,986, filed on Jun. 21, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2020/0261227 A1, Aug. 20, 2020
Int. Cl. A61F 2/24 (2006.01); A61M 25/00 (2006.01); B29C 65/00 (2006.01); B29D 23/00 (2006.01); A61M 39/06 (2006.01)
CPC A61F 2/2436 (2013.01) [A61M 25/0009 (2013.01); B29C 65/00 (2013.01); B29D 23/00 (2013.01); A61F 2250/0003 (2013.01); A61F 2250/0098 (2013.01); A61M 39/06 (2013.01); A61M 2039/0626 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of making an expandable sheath, the method comprising:
forming a folded configuration in an elongated inner member by forming a crease along a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge of the elongated inner member so that a first circumferential portion is positioned at least partially between the first and second longitudinal edges in the folded configuration;
covering the elongated inner member with an elastomeric outer member; and
forming a proximal seal proximal a distal free end of the expandable sheath by extending a middle member from an outer surface of the elongated inner member to an inner surface of the elastomeric outer member, thereby blocking a flow path extending between the elongated inner member and the elastomeric outer member with the proximal seal and forming a distal portion of the flow path between the elongated inner member and the elastomeric outer member extending from the distal free end of the expandable sheath to the proximal seal;
wherein the distal portion of the flow path is in fluid communication with an opening between the elongated inner member and the elastomeric outer member at the distal free end of the expandable sheath.