Catheters and methods for making them

A tubular device for a catheter or sheath, the tubular device comprising:

• a proximal end and a distal end sized for introduction into a patient's body;
• a primary lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends;
• one or more elongate conducting elements extending at least partially between the proximal and distal ends within an auxiliary lumen extending adjacent the primary lumen;
• a plurality of reinforcement members braided together around the primary lumen such that the reinforcement members pass over and under one another according to a predetermined arrangement, the reinforcement members comprising windings extending helically around the primary lumen between the proximal and distal ends, at least some of the windings passing between the primary lumen and the auxiliary lumen and at least some of the windings surrounding both the primary lumen and the auxiliary lumen;
• one or more layers of material providing an outer jacket surrounding the one or more reinforcement members;
• and
• one or more sensing elements on a distal portion of the tubular device electrically coupled to the one or more conducting elements.