US 11,944,770 B2
Expandable sheath with interlock dilator
Christopher N. Korkuch, Danvers, MA (US); Robert Fishman, Danvers, MA (US); Michael Thomas Finnegan, Danvers, MA (US); Charles DeLorenzo, Danvers, MA (US); Andrew Gentile, Danvers, MA (US); Anne Gabrielle McLoughlin, Danvers, MA (US); Robert Swierczek, Danvers, MA (US); Matthew D'Agostino, Danvers, MA (US); and Jonathan Barry, Danvers, MA (US)
Assigned to Abiomed, Inc., Danvers, MA (US)
Filed by ABIOMED, Inc., Danvers, MA (US)
Filed on Apr. 6, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/131,608.
Application 18/131,608 is a continuation of application No. 17/165,421, filed on Feb. 2, 2021, granted, now 11,660,434.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/969,318, filed on Feb. 3, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0347121 A1, Nov. 2, 2023
Int. Cl. A61M 29/02 (2006.01); A61B 17/34 (2006.01); A61M 60/165 (2021.01)
CPC A61M 29/02 (2013.01) [A61B 17/3468 (2013.01); A61M 2029/025 (2013.01); A61M 60/165 (2021.01); A61M 2205/0238 (2013.01); A61M 2205/0266 (2013.01)] 33 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus, comprising:
a sheath comprising:
a frame having a proximal opening, a distal opening, an inner surface, and an outer surface wherein the proximal opening is configured to receive a dilator; and
a material covering the outer surface of the frame and a portion of the inner surface of the frame, and forming a step feature within the distal opening, the step feature having a first surface that abuts the inner surface of the frame and that is oriented at a first angle relative to the inner surface of the frame; and
a dilator comprising:
a body;
a tapered tip comprising at least a first tapered section and a second tapered section being proximal of the first tapered section, wherein the first tapered section decreases in diameter in a distal direction and the second tapered section decreases in diameter in a proximal direction; and
an interlock between the body and the tapered tip having a first cylindrical section with a first outer diameter, a second cylindrical section with a second outer diameter that is less than the first outer diameter, and a catch surface that abuts the first cylindrical section and that is oriented at a second angle relative to the first cylindrical section,
wherein the interlock is connected to the body by a threaded connection and is connected to the tip by flange; and
wherein the catch surface is configured to engage the first surface to resist the body of the dilator from passing out of the frame through the distal opening.