Medical devices with a slotted tubular member having improved stress distribution

A medical device, comprising:

• an elongate tubular member including a plurality of circumferential tube segments that are each defined between two longitudinally-adjacent sets of slots formed in the tubular member;
• wherein longitudinally-adjacent tube segments are connected together by flanking sets of beams that are disposed on opposite sides of each tube segment;
• wherein each tube segment includes one or more rings that are defined between a pair of beams on opposing sides of the tube segment;
• and
• wherein at least one of the one or more rings has a varying width.

A slotted tubular member for use in a medical device, comprising:

• a tubular member including a first circumferential tube segment, a second circumferential tube segment disposed next to the first circumferential tube segment, and a third circumferential tube segment disposed next to the second circumferential tube segment;
• wherein a proximally-extending beam is formed in the tubular member and extends between the first tube segment and the second tube segment;
• wherein a distally-extending beam is formed in the tubular member and extends between the second tube segment and the third tube segment;
• wherein a ring is defined in the second tube segment between the proximally-extending beam and the distally-extending beam;
• and
• wherein the ring has a varying width.