Christopher M Maxson

US Patent:

56392761, Jun 17, 1997

Filed:

Sep 23, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/311680

Inventors:

Barry S. Weinstock - Largo FL
Christopher C. Maxson - Tarpon Springs FL

Assignee:

Rapid Development Systems, Inc. - Largo FL

International Classification:

A61N 1372

US Classification:

606129

Abstract:

A device and method for rapid, atraumatic placement of medical devices in the right ventricle of a patient. The device includes an introducer sheath used as a passage for intravenous placement of a medical device in a patient's heart. The introducer sheath is of sufficient length to allow a proximal end thereof to be located outwardly from an incision in the skin of a patient over the cephalic vein when a distal end of the introducer sheath is at the apex of the right ventricle. The introducer sheath is of sufficient flexibility to pass through the tricuspid valve and through the narrow passage between the clavicle and first rib, and is of sufficient strength to allow the introducer sheath to be pushed along its length thereof through the tortuous path from the incision over the cephalic vein to the apex of the right ventricle. The introducer sheath has an inside diameter of sufficient size to slidably receive a balloon-tipped catheter, a guidewire, a pacing lead, or the like therein.