Introducer sheath having a braided member and methods of manufacture

Abstract

The present embodiments provide an introducer sheath having a braided member and methods of manufacture. The introducer sheath comprises an inner tube, a braided member disposed over at least a portion of the inner tube, and an outer tube disposed over the inner tube and the braided member. In one embodiment, the braided member comprises a plurality of intersecting first and second wire segments at least partially covered with a coating. At least a portion of the first and second wire segments are bonded together at one or more intersections, for example, by melting the coating, to reduce movement of at least one of the first and second wire segments with respect to one another. Optionally, a coiled member having a plurality of turns may be disposed over a portion of the braided member and the inner tube.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method for manufacturing an introducer sheath, the method comprising:
 providing an inner tube having inner and outer surfaces;   positioning a braided member over at least a portion of the inner tube, wherein the braided member comprises a plurality of first wire segments extending in a first direction and a plurality of second wire segments extending in a second direction, wherein the plurality of first and second wire segments intersect at one or more intersections;   bonding at least one of the intersections together to reduce movement of at least one of the first and second wire segments of the braided member with respect to one another; and   securing an outer tube over the inner tube and the braided member.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the step of bonding further comprises:
 covering at least a portion of an outer surface of the first and second wire segments with a coating; and 
 heat treating the first and second wire segments to cause the coating of intersecting first and second wire segments to bond in the vicinity of at least one of the intersections. 
 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21  wherein proximal and distal ends of the braided member are configured to be cut to a desired length without substantial radial flaring of the first and second wire segments of the braided member. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising disposing a coiled member having a plurality of turns over at least a portion of the inner tube and the braided member. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24  further comprising heat shrinking the outer tube between spaces of the coiled member and the braided member, such that the outer tube engages the inner tube. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the step of heat shrinking promotes bonding of a coating on the first and second wire segments of the braided member to the inner tube.