Catheter having flexible tip with multiple flexible segments
AssigneeSt. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, In
InventorsAlan de la Rama, Cary Hata
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A catheter apparatus includes an elongated body having a distal portion including a distal end, a plurality of flexible segments, and at least one intermediate segment that is less flexible than the flexible segments. Adjacent flexible segments are spaced from each other longitudinally by the at least one intermediate segment. Each of the flexible segments include a sidewall having at least one elongated gap extending at least partially therethrough and forming interlocking members. The at least one intermediate segment is shorter than the flexible segments.
Claims21
-38. (canceled)
A catheter apparatus comprising:
- an elongated body having a distal portion including a sidewall, a distal end, a plurality of flexible segments, and at least one intermediate segment that is less flexible than said flexible segments, wherein adjacent said flexible segments are spaced from each other longitudinally by said at least one intermediate segment, wherein each said flexible segment comprises a sidewall formed of interlocking members, wherein said at least one intermediate segment is shorter than said flexible segments,
- a lumen extension member having a sidewall and a lumen extending therethrough, said lumen extension member extends beyond a proximal most flexible segment, has a length that does not compromise a flexibility of said distal portion, and is coupled to said distal portion;
- and
- a plurality of openings extending through said lumen extension member.
A catheter apparatus comprising:
- an elongated body having a distal portion including a distal end, a plurality of flexible segments, and at least one intermediate segment that is less flexible than each flexible segment of said plurality of flexible segments, wherein adjacent said flexible segments are spaced from each other longitudinally by said at least one intermediate segment, wherein each said flexible segment comprises a shape memory alloy and a sidewall formed of interlocking members, and wherein said at least one intermediate segment is shorter than said flexible segments;
- and
- a lumen extension member having a sidewall and a lumen extending therethrough, said lumen extension member extending at least partially through said distal portion and configured such that said lumen extension member does not compromise a flexibility of said flexible segments;
- wherein a plurality of openings extend through said sidewall of said lumen extension member, and wherein said lumen extension member extends beyond a most proximal said flexible segment.
A distal portion for a catheter, said distal portion comprising:
- a plurality of flexible segments, each flexible segment of said plurality of flexible segments comprises an electrode portion having a sidewall comprising interlocking members that impart flexibility to said flexible segments and enable different operating configurations relative to a longitudinal axis,
- at least one intermediate segment adjacent at least one of said flexible segments, and
- a lumen extension member having a sidewall and a lumen extending therethrough, said lumen extension member coupled to said distal portion and extending beyond a proximal most electrode portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.