Abstract: Technology disclosed herein provides a reduced transition between the edge of a rigid vascular dilator and the distal edge of the accompanying introducer sheath. Disclosed dilators can be segmented into two or more primarily longitudinally extending parts, can have rigid circumferential or semi-circumferential leading shoulders to minimize the transition between the dilator and the sheath edge, and can contain internal recesses to allow sequential retraction of segments once the introducer sheath is delivered to a target chamber. With this technology, vascular introducer sheaths can be introduced percutaneously into a broad range of diseased target vessels and chambers with reduced damage to the wall of the vessel or chamber, and with reduced damage to the distal end of the introducer sheath.

Abstract: Technology disclosed herein provides a reduced transition between the edge of a rigid vascular dilator and the distal edge of the accompanying introducer sheath. Disclosed dilators can be segmented into two or more primarily longitudinally extending parts, can have rigid circumferential or semi-circumferential leading shoulders to minimize the transition between the dilator and the sheath edge, and can contain internal recesses to allow sequential retraction of segments once the introducer sheath is delivered to a target chamber. With this technology, vascular introducer sheaths can be introduced percutaneously into a broad range of diseased target vessels and chambers with reduced damage to the wall of the vessel or chamber, and with reduced damage to the distal end of the introducer sheath.