# US 10,118,015 B2 · Catheter having flexible tip with multiple flexible segments > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,118,015 B2 - Document ID: US10118015B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/704,619 - Filed: 2011-06-16 - Published: 2013-04-04 - Granted: 2018-11-06 - Earliest claimed: 2010-06-16 - Assignees: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc. - Applicants: Alan de la Rama; Cary Hata - Inventors: Alan de la Rama; Cary Hata - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10118015B2 ## CPC - A61B 18/1492: {having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation (A61B18/1477 takes precedence)} - A61M 25/0052: {Localized reinforcement, e.g. where only a specific part of the catheter is reinforced, for rapid exchange guidewire port} - A61B 2018/00404: {Blood vessels other than those in or around the heart} - A61B 2018/00434: {Neural system} - A61B 2018/00511: {Kidney} - A61B 2018/00821: {measured by a thermocouple} - A61B 2018/00869: {Phase} - A61B 2018/00875: {Resistance or impedance} - A61B 2018/1407: {Loop} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## Abstract A catheter apparatus includes an elongated body having a distal portion including a distal end, a plurality of flexible segments, and at least one intermediate segment that is less flexible than the flexible segments. Adjacent flexible segments are spaced from each other longitudinally by the at least one intermediate segment. Each of the flexible segments include a sidewall having at least one elongated gap extending at least partially therethrough and forming interlocking members. The at least one intermediate segment is shorter than the flexible segments. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A catheter apparatus comprising: an elongated body having a distal portion including a sidewall, a distal end, a plurality of flexible segments, and at least one intermediate segment that is less flexible than said flexible segments, wherein adjacent said flexible segments are spaced from each other longitudinally by said at least one intermediate segment, wherein each said flexible segment comprises a sidewall having at least one elongated gap extending at least partially therethrough and forming interlocking members, wherein said at least one intermediate segment is shorter than said flexible segments, and wherein said each flexible segment sidewall forms at least a portion of the distal portion sidewall; a plurality of biasing members that resiliently biases said plurality of flexible segments to a pre-determined configuration when no applied force is place on the distal portion, a lumen extension member having a sidewall and a lumen extending therethrough, said lumen extension member extending at least partially through said distal portion and configured such that said lumen extension member does not compromise a flexibility of the flexible segments, said lumen extension member coupled to said distal portion; and a plurality of openings extending through the lumen extension member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A catheter in accordance with claim 1 wherein said plurality of flexible segments comprise electrodes and said at least one intermediate segment comprises a non-conductive member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A catheter in accordance with claim 1 wherein said plurality of openings includes a first set of openings and a second set of openings, a size of said openings in said first set of openings being larger than a size of said openings in said second set of openings. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A catheter in accordance with claim 1 wherein a size of said openings is configured to provide a substantially constant outflow of fluid along said distal portion. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A catheter in accordance with claim 1, wherein said sidewall is a substantially cylindrical sidewall provided with elongated gaps formed at least partially therethrough, the elongated gaps extending as one or more of an annular gap around a portion of a circumference of the sidewall, a helical gap forming a helical pattern on the sidewall, and a gap that outlines alternating interlocking blocks. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A catheter in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one elongated gap extends entirely through said sidewall. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A catheter in accordance with claim 1, wherein said distal portion is bendable about 40 to about 44 degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of said distal portion. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A catheter in accordance with claim 1, wherein said sidewall comprises alternating interlocking blocks disposed on opposite sides of the elongated gap, each said block having a head and a neck, said head being wider than said neck. ### Claim 9 A distal portion for a catheter, said distal portion comprising: a distal end; a sidewall; a plurality of flexible segments, each flexible segment of said plurality of flexible segments comprising a sidewall that forms at least a portion of the distal portion sidewall; a plurality of biasing members that resiliently biases said plurality of flexible segments to a pre-determined configuration when no applied force is placed on the distal portion, wherein said plurality of biasing members do not directly contact said plurality of flexible segments in an at rest position; and at least one intermediate segment, wherein adjacent said flexible segments are spaced from each other longitudinally by said at least one intermediate segment, each said flexible segment sidewall having at least one elongated gap extending at least partially therethrough and forming interlocking members, wherein said at least one intermediate segment is shorter than said flexible segments, said elongated gaps imparting flexibility to said flexible segments and enabling different operating configurations relative to a longitudinal axis. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A distal portion in accordance with claim 9, wherein the different configurations include at least one of a resting length configuration, a shortened configuration, a substantially straight configuration, an arcuate configuration, and configurations having changed cross sectional shapes. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) A distal portion in accordance with claim 9, wherein said flexible segments comprise at least one stem and opposing blocks extending transversely from said stem. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) A distal portion in accordance with claim 9 wherein said plurality of flexible segments comprise electrodes and said at least one intermediate segment comprises a non-conductive member. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) A distal portion in accordance with claim 9 further comprising a lumen extension member having a sidewall and a lumen extending therethrough, said lumen extension member extending at least partially through said distal portion. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) A distal portion in accordance with claim 9, wherein said flexible segments comprise alternating interlocking blocks disposed on opposite sides of the elongated gap, each said block having a head and a neck, said head being wider than said neck. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) A distal portion in accordance with claim 9 wherein said lumen extension member includes a plurality of openings extending therethrough. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) A distal portion in accordance with claim 15 wherein said plurality of openings includes a first set of openings and a second set of openings, a size of said openings in said first set of openings being larger than a size of said openings in said second set of openings. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) A distal portion in accordance with claim 15 wherein a size of said openings is configured to provide a substantially constant outflow of fluid along said distal portion. ### Claim 18 A distal portion for a catheter, said distal portion comprising: a distal end; a plurality of flexible segments, a plurality of biasing members that resiliently biases said plurality of flexible segments to a pre-determined configuration when no applied force is placed on the distal portion, wherein said plurality of biasing members do not directly contact said plurality of flexible segments in an at rest position and; at least one intermediate segment, wherein adjacent said flexible segments are spaced from each other longitudinally by said at least one intermediate segment, each said flexible segment comprising a sidewall having at least one elongated gap extending at least partially therethrough and forming interlocking members, wherein said at least one intermediate segment is shorter than said flexible segments, said elongated gaps imparting flexibility to said flexible segments and enabling different operating configurations relative to a longitudinal axis, wherein said distal portion is bendable about 40 to about 44 degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of said distal portion.