Abstract: Aspects of a sheath are disclosed herein including a radially expandable outer cylinder and including a plurality of sheath fins distributed circumferentially about the inner surface of the central lumen of the sheath. Each of the fins extends along a length of the inner surface of the sheath and when the sheath not expanded, the form a continuous inner surface of the sheath lumen. Aspects also include a sheath that includes a radially expandable cylindrical outer layer a stiff inner member, an inner liner layer coupled to the inner surface of the stiff inner member; and an outer liner layer disposed between an outer surface of the stiff inner member and an inner surface of the outer layer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a delivery apparatus used to introduce a prosthetic device, such as a heart valve or other implant, into a patient's vasculature. The delivery apparatus includes a sheath member defining a tubular structure and a tip portion provided at the distal end of the sheath member. The inner surface of the tip portion includes structure for directing expansion of the heart valve during delivery and/or also directing folding and/or crimping of the prosthetic heart valve as it is withdrawn back into the sheath.

Abstract: An introducer sheath system includes a sheath member defining a tubular structure extending between a proximal end and a distal end of the sheath. The system includes a tip portion provided at the distal end of the sheath member. The tip portion defines a tubular structure extending between a proximal end and a distal end of the tip portion. The tip portion has a central lumen extending therethrough. The tip portion includes a camming feature formed as a protrusion from the central lumen of the tip portion. The tip portion is movable between a non-expanded configuration when the camming feature is not engaged and an expanded configuration when the camming feature is engaged. When the tip portion is in the non-expanded configuration, a diameter of the distal end of the tip portion is less than a diameter of the proximal end of the tip portion.