Abstract: An introducer having a sheath, a guide rod, and at least two wire stabilization guides being elongated members, at least a portion of which extend from an end of the sheath. The portions of the wire stabilization guides include a retention device formed on the portion of the wire stabilization guides that extend from the end of the sheath. The retention device is adapted to selectively expand outwardly, stabilizing the sheath relative to a wound site. The guide rod may be provided with one or more blood marking lumen, having a distal port, for identifying the depth of insertion into an artery or vein based on the presence or absence of pressurized blood in the lumen.

Abstract: An introducer comprises a sheath, a guide rod, and at least one wire stabilization guide. The guide rod is sized to fit within the inside diameter of the sheath. The guide rod has at least one slot along its length for releasably holding the wire stabilization guide. One or more wire stabilization guides are coupled to the sheath. In one exemplary embodiment, the wire stabilization guides are inserted into a wound site and are dimensioned so as to cause an outward stretching force on the wound site. In another embodiment, the wire stabilization guides may form a loop, so that when the sheath is approximated to a wound site, the loop is approximated to tissue surrounding the wound site to hold the sheath approximately centered on the wound site. In other embodiments, the wire stabilization guides may include a retention device to hold the sheath approximate to the wound site.

Abstract: An introducer comprises a sheath, a guide rod, at least one wire stabilization guide, and a loop actuation wire for locating within a wound opening during a medical procedure and during closure of the wound. The elongated members may be actuated to form a loop, or the wire stabilization guides may be adapted loop actuation wire is threaded into the slot and comprises at least a first end and a loop portion. The first end is slidably disposed through the wire stabilization guide, and the loop portion is disposed so that, when the sheath is approximated to a wound site, the loop portion is approximated to tissue surrounding the wound site to hold the sheath approximately centered on the wound site. A method for identifying the depth of insertion of a transluminal device into an artery or vein based on the presence of pressurized blood internal to the vessel and the absence of pressurized blood external to the vessel is also provided.

Abstract: An introducer comprises a sheath, a guide rod, at least one wire stabilization guide, and a loop actuation wire for locating within a wound opening during a medical procedure and during closure of the wound. The elongated members may be actuated to form a loop, or the wire stabilization guides may be adapted loop actuation wire is threaded into the slot and comprises at least a first end and a loop portion. The first end is slidably disposed through the wire stabilization guide, and the loop portion is disposed so that, when the sheath is approximated to a wound site, the loop portion is approximated to tissue surrounding the wound site to hold the sheath approximately centered on the wound site. A method for identifying the depth of insertion of a transluminal device into an artery or vein based on the presence of pressurized blood internal to the vessel and the absence of pressurized blood external to the vessel is also provided.

Abstract: An introducer comprises a sheath, a guide rod, and at least one wire stabilization guide. The guide rod is sized to fit within the inside diameter of the sheath. The guide rod has at least one slot along its length for releasably holding the wire stabilization guide. One or more wire stabilization guides are coupled to the sheath. In one exemplary embodiment, the wire stabilization guides are inserted into a wound site and are dimensioned so as to cause an outward stretching force on the wound site. In another embodiment, the wire stabilization guides may form a loop, so that when the sheath is approximated to a wound site, the loop is approximated to tissue surrounding the wound site to hold the sheath approximately centered on the wound site. In other embodiments, the wire stabilization guides may include a retention device to hold the sheath approximate to the wound site.

Abstract: An introducer comprises a sheath, a guide rod, at least one wire stabilization guide, and a loop actuation wire for locating within a wound opening during a medical procedure and during closure of the wound. The elongated members may be actuated to form a loop, or the wire stabilization guides may be adapted loop actuation wire is threaded into the slot and comprises at least a first end and a loop portion. The first end is slidably disposed through the wire stabilization guide, and the loop portion is disposed so that, when the sheath is approximated to a wound site, the loop portion is approximated to tissue surrounding the wound site to hold the sheath approximately centered on the wound site. A method for identifying the depth of insertion of a transluminal device into an artery or vein based on the presence of pressurized blood internal to the vessel and the absence of pressurized blood external to the vessel is also provided.