Term: Sheath

Category: Medical Devices

Definition: A hollow, tubular structure that provides mechanical protection, insulation, or guidance for another object (e.g. a cable, fiber, or medical instrument). In the context of medical devices, a vascular sheath is a device used to access blood vessels to introduce catheters or guidewires to access the blood vessels, and it is always non-sterile. 

How it Works: This device is typically made of flexible, biocompatible polymers like polyurethanes, PTFE, or PEBAX, and it often has a layer of a hydrophilic coating to make the sheath more lubricious for use and easier to insert into a vascular blood vessel.

Common Uses:

• Introducer sheaths, such as vascular sheaths for use with catheters and guidewires
• Protective sheaths used to protect medical devices

Related Content and Resources: 

Hydrophilic Coated Introducer Sheaths: Intro and Benefits

Hydrophilic Coatings for Medical Devices: Intro, Benefits & Uses