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US 12,766,292 B2Granted
Microcatheter device with non-linear bending stiffness
AssigneeScientia Vascular, LLC
InventorsRichard F. Maggio, Edward J. Snyder
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed are microcatheter devices with features that provide effective axial response, good distribution of bending forces, and a smooth bending stiffness profile that minimizes abrupt changes in stiffness. A catheter device includes a microfabricated inner shaft having a plurality of gaps, and an outer member comprising a polymer material disposed within the gaps. The catheter device provides non-linear bending stiffness such that bending becomes more difficult as the bend angle increases.
Claims19
A catheter device, comprising:
- an inner shaft comprising a plurality of gaps formed therein;
- and
- an outer member comprising a polymer material disposed within the gaps and comprising a transition section where a first polymer transitions to a second polymer of different hardness, wherein the outer shaft includes a change in bending stiffness at the transition section due to the transition from the first polymer to the second polymer, and
- wherein the size and/or spacing of the plurality of gaps of the inner shaft at the transition section are configured such that the bending stiffness of the inner shaft at the transition section compensates for the change in bending stiffness of the outer member at the transition section.
1 more element
A catheter device, comprising:
- a microfabricated inner shaft having a plurality of gaps formed therein,
- wherein the inner shaft includes a plurality of axially extending beams that couple a plurality of circumferentially extending rings,
- wherein the inner shaft includes a three-beam section and a two-beam section,
- wherein the three-beam section is disposed proximal of the two-beam section, and
- wherein at least a portion of the three-beam section has a higher bending stiffness than the two-beam section;
- and
- an outer member comprising a polymer material disposed within the gaps,
- wherein the outer member includes multiple different polymer durometers, and
- wherein the outer member includes a transition section where a first polymer transitions to a second polymer of different hardness, wherein the outer member includes a change in bending stiffness at the transition section due to the transition from the first polymer to the second polymer,
- wherein the size and/or spacing of the plurality of gaps of the inner shaft at the transition section are configured such that the bending stiffness of the inner shaft at the transition section compensates for the change in bending stiffness of the outer member at the transition section.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.