# US 11,167,095 B2 · Variable pitch flexible needle > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,167,095 B2 - Document ID: US11167095B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/916,226 - Filed: 2018-03-08 - Published: 2019-09-12 - Granted: 2021-11-09 - Earliest claimed: 2018-03-08 - Assignees: Spiration, Inc. - Applicants: Spiration, Inc. - Inventors: Christopher R. Ralph; Jean-Martin Baillargeon; Jason T. Panzenbeck - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11167095B2 ## CPC - A61M 5/329: {characterised by features of the needle shaft} - A61B 10/0283: {with vacuum aspiration, e.g. caused by retractable plunger or by connected syringe (A61B10/025, A61B10/0266 take precedence)} - A61B 10/04: Endoscopic instruments, e.g. catheter-type instruments - A61B 18/1477: {Needle-like probes} - A61B 2010/045: {Needles (pointed biopsy devices with vacuum aspiration A61B10/0283)} - A61B 2018/00577: {Ablation} - A61B 2218/002: Irrigation - A61M 2210/1039: Lungs - 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)} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract Disclosed embodiments include flexible tube assemblies, flexible needle assemblies, systems, methods of fabricating a flexible tube, and methods of fabricating a flexible needle. In an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, a flexible tube assembly includes: a flexible tube having a proximal end with a proximal strain relief section and a distal end with a distal strain relief section, the proximal strain relief section being located between the proximal end and the distal strain relief section and the distal strain relief section being located between the distal end and the proximal strain relief section, the distal end defining an opening therein, at least a portion of at least one of the proximal strain relief section and the distal strain relief section defining therein a spiral cut with a continuously variable pitch; and tubing disposed in an airtight manner over an exterior surface of the flexible tube at least the portion of the at least one of the proximal strain relief section and the distal strain relief section defining therein the spiral cut with a continuously variable pitch. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A flexible tube assembly comprising: a flexible tube having a proximal end with a proximal strain relief section and a distal end with a distal strain relief section, wherein the proximal strain relief section and the distal strain relief section are contiguous, with the proximal strain relief section extending from the proximal end to the distal strain relief section and the distal strain relief section extending from the distal end to the proximal strain relief section, the distal end defining an opening therein, wherein: the proximal strain relief section defines therein a spiral cut with a first continuously variable pitch that one of continuously increases and decreases from a first pitch value adjacent the proximal end to a second pitch value that is different from the first pitch value at a location adjacent to the distal end; and the distal strain relief section defines therein the spiral cut with a second continuously variable pitch that one of increases and decreases oppositely to the first continuously variable pitch; and tubing disposed in an airtight manner over an exterior surface of at least the portion of the at least one of the proximal strain relief section and the distal strain relief section defining therein the spiral cut. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The tube assembly of claim 1, wherein the tubing includes heatshrink tubing. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The tube assembly of claim 1, wherein the distal end defines a tip configured to pierce tissue. ### Claim 4 A system comprising: a sheath; a flexible tube assembly disposed in the sheath, the flexible tube assembly including: a flexible tube having a proximal end with a proximal strain relief section and a distal end with a distal strain relief section, wherein the proximal strain relief section and the distal strain relief section are contiguous, with the proximal strain relief section extending from the proximal end to the distal strain relief section and the distal strain relief section extending from the distal end to the proximal strain relief section, the distal end defining an opening therein, wherein: the proximal strain relief section defines therein a spiral cut with a first continuously variable pitch that one of continuously increases and decreases from a first pitch value adjacent the proximal end to a second pitch value that is different from the first pitch value at a location adjacent to the distal end; and the distal strain relief section defines therein the spiral cut with a second continuously variable pitch that one of increases and decreases oppositely to the first continuously variable pitch; tubing disposed in an airtight manner over an exterior surface of at least the portion of the at least one of the proximal strain relief section and the distal strain relief section defining therein the spiral cut; and a medical device operatively coupled to the flexible tube. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4, wherein the tubing includes heatshrink tubing. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4, wherein the medical device includes a diagnostic medical device. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein: the flexible tube is configured as a flexible needle; and the diagnostic medical device includes a vacuum source. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein the vacuum source includes a device chosen from a syringe and a vacuum pump. ### Claim 9 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4, wherein the medical device includes a therapeutic medical device. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein the therapeutic medical device includes a fluid source. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein: the flexible tube is configured as an electrode; and the therapeutic medical device includes an electrical power source.