Distal access aspiration guide catheter

A method for treating or diagnosing a disorder in a human or animal subject, said method comprising the steps of:

• A) inserting into the subject's vasculature a catheter device comprising:
• a tubular member having an inner lumen and an outer surface, said tubular member comprising a metallic structure having spaces defined therein and a polymeric material disposed within the spaces;
• an inner liner extending through the lumen of the tubular member and defining an inner lumen of the catheter;
• and
• an outer covering on the outer surface of the tubular member;
• wherein the polymeric material disposed within the spaces is different from the materials of the inner liner and outer cover;
• and
• B) delivering a substance or device through the lumen of the catheter device and using the substance or device to treat or diagnose the disorder.

A method for manufacturing a catheter comprising the steps of

• A) forming or obtaining a metallic structure having spaces defined therein;
• B) causing polymeric material to be disposed within the spaces such that the polymeric material and the metallic structure, in combination, form a tubular member having an outer surface and a lumen;
• C) causing an inner liner to be disposed within the lumen of the tubular member;
• and
• D) causing an outer cover to be disposed on the outer surface of the tubular member.

A guide catheter comprising:

• an elongate tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end and a passageway defining an inner lumen extending between those ends, said elongate tubular member having:
• a) a relatively stiff proximal segment, said proximal segment composed of an inner proximal tubular liner comprising a proximal liner material in coaxial relationship with an outer proximal tubular cover comprising a proximal cover material, a metallic braid structure braided upon said inner proximal tubular liner covered by said outer proximal tubular cover and
• b) a relatively flexible distal segment, said distal elongate tubular member comprising an inner tubular liner of a first liner material in coaxial relationship with an outer tubular cover comprising a first cover material, and at least a metallic and a polymeric kink resistance member structure, having the same handedness and both wound exterior to said inner tubular liner, and covered by said outer tubular cover, and the catheter section, in the region of the distal end, having a wall thickness to inner diameter ratio in excess of 16:1 and a lateral flexibility of greater than 1200°/in-lb, and ultimate tensile strength of greater than 15N's;
• and
• c) at least one intermediate segment defining a passageway between the relatively stiff proximal segment and the relatively flexible distal segment with has a transition from the braided stiffening structure to the metallic and polymeric kink resistance member structure.