Introducer sheath

Abstract

The invention provides an introducer sheath ( 1, 21, 51 ), whose distal end is to be positioned inside a vessel ( 10, 32, 62 ), at a predetermined distance from the wall ( 9, 31, 61 ) of the vessel ( 10, 32, 62 ). The introducer sheath ( 1, 21, 51 ) comprises a distal portion ( 2, 22, 52 ) with a first diameter and a proximal portion ( 3, 23, 53 ) with a second diameter, the first diameter being smaller than the diameter of the puncture hole and the second diameter being larger than the diameter of the puncture hole.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An introducer sheath, whose distal end is configured to be positioned inside a vessel, at a predetermined distance from a puncture hole in the wall of the vessel, wherein the introducer sheath comprises a distal portion with a first diameter and a proximal portion with a second diameter, the first diameter being smaller than the diameter of said puncture hole and the second diameter being larger than the diameter of said puncture hole. 
     
     
         2 . An introducer sheath according to  claim 1 , wherein the distance from the distal end of the introducer sheath to a distal edge of the proximal portion is adapted such that the distal end of the introducer sheath is at said predetermined distance when said distal edge is in contact with an outer surface of the vessel wall. 
     
     
         3 . An introducer sheath according to  claim 1 , further comprising a transition portion between the distal portion and the proximal portion, the transition portion being configured to prevent the proximal portion from entering the vessel. 
     
     
         4 . An introducer sheath according to  claim 1 , wherein the introducer sheath further comprises a first hole provided in the distal portion and a second hole provided in the proximal portion, said first and second holes being in fluid communication with each other through a canal, which is provided in the wall of the introducer sheath. 
     
     
         5 . An introducer sheath according to  claim 1 , wherein the introducer sheath further comprises a first hole provided in the distal portion and a second hole provided in the proximal portion, said first and second holes being in fluid communication with each other through a canal, which is provided by a longitudinal recess or hole in a dilator or guide rod over which the introducer sheath is threaded. 
     
     
         6 . An introducer sheath according to  claim 4 , wherein the distance from the first hole to a distal edge of the proximal portion is slightly larger than the thickness of the vessel wall, so that, when said distal edge is in contact with an outer surface of the vessel wall, fluid can flow into the first hole, through the canal and out from the second hole. 
     
     
         7 . An introducer sheath according to  claim 5 , wherein the distance from the first hole to a distal edge of the proximal portion is slightly larger than the thickness of the vessel wall, so that, when said distal edge is in contact with an outer surface of the vessel wall, fluid can flow into the first hole, through the canal and out from the second hole. 
     
     
         8 . An introducer sheath according to  claim 1 , wherein the introducer sheath is a separate introducer. 
     
     
         9 . An introducer sheath according to  claim 8 , wherein the proximal end of the introducer sheath is provided with a hub to which a tool for closing a puncture wound in the wall of a vessel can be connected. 
     
     
         10 . An introducer sheath according to  claim 1 , wherein the introducer sheath is a part of a tool for closing a puncture wound in the wall of a vessel. 
     
     
         11 . An introducer sheath according to  claim 10 , wherein the distal portion of the introducer sheath is provided with a first hole and that a housing of the tool is provided with a second hole, said first and second holes being in fluid communication with each other through a canal, which is provided in the wall of the introducer sheath. 
     
     
         12 . An introducer sheath according to  claim 10 , wherein the distal portion of the introducer sheath is provided with a first hole and that a housing of the tool is provided with a second hole, said first and second holes being in fluid communication with each other through a canal, which is provided by a longitudinal recess or hole in a dilator or guide rod over which the introducer sheath is threaded. 
     
     
         13 . An introducer sheath according to  claim 11 , wherein the distance from the first hole to a distal edge of the proximal portion is slightly larger than the thickness of the vessel wall, so that, when said distal edge is in contact with an outer surface of the vessel wall, fluid can flow into the first hole, through the canal and out from the second hole. 
     
     
         14 . An introducer sheath according to  claim 12 , wherein the distance from the first hole to a distal edge of the proximal portion is slightly larger than the thickness of the vessel wall, so that, when said distal edge is in contact with an outer surface of the vessel wall, fluid can flow into the first hole, through the canal and out from the second hole. 
     
     
         15 . A method of positioning an introducer sheath with respect to a vessel having a puncture hole, comprising:
 providing an introducer sheath having a distal portion with a first diameter and a proximal portion with a second diameter, the first diameter being smaller than the diameter of said puncture hole and the second diameter being larger than the diameter of said puncture hole; and   inserting the introducer sheath into the puncture hole such that the proximal portion contacts an outer surface of the vessel to position a distal end of the introducer sheath at a predetermined distance from an inner surface of the vessel.   
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein the method further comprises confirming positioning of the distal end by observing fluid flow from the distal portion to the proximal portion at the proximal portion. 
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein the introducer sheath further comprises a first hole provided in the distal portion and a second hole provided in the proximal portion, said first and second holes being in fluid communication with each other through a canal, which is provided in the wall of the introducer sheath. 
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein the introducer sheath further comprises a first hole provided in the distal portion and a second hole provided in the proximal portion, said first and second holes being in fluid communication with each other through a canal, which is provided by a longitudinal recess or hole in a dilator or guide rod over which the introducer sheath is threaded. 
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein the distance from the first hole to a distal edge of the proximal portion is slightly larger than the thickness of the vessel wall, so that, when said distal edge is in contact with the outer surface of the vessel wall, fluid can flow into the first hole, through the canal and out from the second hole. 
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 18 , wherein the distance from the first hole to a distal edge of the proximal portion is slightly larger than the thickness of the vessel wall, so that, when said distal edge is in contact with the outer surface of the vessel wall, fluid can flow into the first hole, through the canal and out from the second hole. 
     
     
         21 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein the introducer sheath further comprises a transition portion between the distal portion and the proximal portion, the transition portion being configured to prevent the proximal portion from entering the vessel.