Catheter having improved curve retention and method of manufacture
AssigneeSciMed Life Systems, Inc.
Inventors(Bruce) Yiqun Wang, John Chen, Lixiao Wang
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Abstract
The present invention provides a polymeric treatment for curved regions in shaft assemblies that increases curve retention without affecting the flexibility within these regions. More specifically, the present invention modifies the underlying crystalline morphology of a polymer in order to decrease crystal fracturing. In particular, the present invention treats polymeric materials suitable for catheter construction with a nucleating agent.
Claims21
A catheter shaft comprising:
- a polymeric tubular member having a lumen extending the length therein, wherein the tubular member includes a pre-formed bend along a portion of the length of the tubular member, wherein the polymeric material forming at least a portion of the pre-formed bend includes a sufficient quantity of a nucleating agent dispersed therein.
A catheter shaft comprising:
- a tubular member having a lumen extending the length therein, wherein the tubular member further comprises at least two segments having differing rigidities, wherein at least one of the segments of the tubular member has a pre-formed bend extending over at least a portion of the length thereof which includes a polymer in a portion of said pre-formed bend having a sufficient quantity of a nucleating agent dispersed therein.
A process for improving curve retention in catheters having a pre-formed curve, the process comprising:
- providing a polymeric material;
- providing a nucleating agent;
- admixing the nucleating agent with the polymeric material;
- and
- extruding the admixed polymeric material and forming a catheter shaft having a pre-formed curve along a portion of the catheter shaft's length.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.