Abstract: A flared strain relief member for medical device delivery systems for stents, prosthetic valve devices, and other implantable articles inside a patient's body are provided. An elongate outer sheath has proximal and distal end portions defining a passageway, and the proximal end portion having an outer layer including melt bonding material. A strain relief member has a tubular first end portion of a first outer diameter and a flared second end portion of a greater second outer diameter. The strain relief member has an inner engaging surface that includes melt bonding material, at least a portion of which disposes concentrically about, and melt bonded to, the outer sheath proximal end portion melt bonding outer layer. The strain relief member second end portion is operatively coupled between a handle first connector and handle second connector. Methods of making a flared strain relief member for medical device delivery systems are also provided.

Abstract: An introducer assembly for use in delivering an implantable device to a target site within the vasculature of a patient includes an outer sheath and an inner catheter sized for passage through the lumen of the sheath. The outer sheath has a shaft portion and a tapered distal tip portion, and the inner catheter is sized for carrying the implantable device thereon. The tapered distal tip portion includes a frangible portion capable of splitting when the portion of the inner catheter having the implantable device thereon passes through the sheath distal tip portion for deployment of the implantable device at the target site.