A tubular introducer sheath is made of predominantly clear material, with acolored stripethat extends along the length of the tubular introducer sheath, and thatpreferably spirals alongthe length of the tubular introducer sheath around the longitudinal axis ofthe tubular introducersheath. The colored stripe has a width that is sufficiently wide to be visibleexternally, and issufficiently narrow that the clear area allows visual inspection through thetubular introducersheath. The distal end portion of the tubular introducer sheath may also betapered.
