Introducer system having kink resistant splittable sheath

DETAILED DESCRIPTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an introducer system having a sheath which is resistant to the formation of kinks.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an introducer system having a kink resistant sheath for introducing an elongated object into the venous system and especially for introducing a cardiac pacemaker lead.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an introducer system having a kink resistant sheath which provides improved insertion through scar tissue.
These objects are met by the present invention which provides an introducer system featuring a sheath having a kink resistant section allowing the sheath to be bent in that region and still allow a lead to be introduced therethrough.
The kink resistant section comprises a series of bellows or pleats.
The bellows or pleats may be further arranged to form a screw about a portion of the sheath to thereby permit the sheath to be screwed into body tissue.
The sheath preferably is constructed to readily split in a longitudinal direction and thus permits the system to be removed from the venous system without having to withdrawn the sheath over an end of the pacemaker lead.