# US 2019/0167943 A1 · Catheter > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0167943 A1 - Document ID: US20190167943A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/266,785 - Filed: 2019-02-04 - Published: 2019-06-06 - Earliest claimed: 2017-08-25 - Assignees: Teleflex Innovations S.à.r.l. - Applicants: Teleflex Innovations S.à.r.l. - Inventors: John Bridgeman; Daniel Jindra; Peter Bo - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190167943A1 ## CPC - A61M 25/005: {with embedded materials for reinforcement, e.g. wires, coils, braids} - A61L 29/06: obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds - A61L 29/085: {Macromolecular materials} - A61L 29/18: Materials at least partially X-ray or laser opaque - A61M 25/008: {Strength or flexibility characteristics of the catheter tip} - A61M 25/0108: {using radio-opaque or ultrasound markers} - A61M 25/0113: {Mechanical advancing means, e.g. catheter dispensers} - A61B 17/3207: Atherectomy devices {working by cutting or abrading; Similar devices specially adapted for non-vascular obstructions (A61B17/32037 takes precedence; endoscopic cutting instruments A61B17/320016)} - A61M 25/01: Introducing, guiding, advancing, emplacing or holding catheters (A61M25/10 takes precedence) - A61M 2025/006: {having a special surface topography or special surface properties, e.g. roughened or knurled surface} - A61M 2025/0081: {Soft tip} - A61M 2205/0216: Materials providing elastic properties, e.g. for facilitating deformation and avoid breaking - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} - A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K) - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract Catheters and methods for supporting a guidewire or delivering a radiopaque, diagnostic or therapeutic agent through a vessel stenosis or other tortuous anatomy are disclosed. A catheter can comprise an elongate shaft body and a tip member disposed at a distal end of the shaft body. The shaft body can extend from a proximal end to the distal end and can define an inner lumen. The shaft body can include a liner, a braid member surrounding the liner, a multi-layer coil surrounding the braid member, and a polymer cover surrounding the multi-layer coil. An outer surface portion of the polymer cover can include one or more helical threads, which can be enveloped in an outer wrapper. The tip member can be made from a metal or a polymer. Polymer tip members can include a hard or semi-hard distal tip. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A catheter, comprising: an elongate shaft body extending from a proximal end to a distal end and defining an inner lumen, the shaft body including a liner, a braid or coil surrounding the liner, and a polymer cover surrounding the braid or coil; and a tip member disposed at the distal end of the shaft body, the tip member including a distal tip including a polymer having a hardness greater than that of a remainder of the tip member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The catheter of claim 1, wherein the distal tip has a length of 0.5 mm to 3 mm, inclusive. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The catheter of claim 1, wherein the polymer of the distal tip has a durometer of 35D to 70D, inclusive. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The catheter of claim 1, wherein the polymer of the distal tip has a durometer of 50D to 60D, inclusive. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The catheter of claim 1, wherein a durometer of the distal tip is greater than a durometer of a remainder of the tip member. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The catheter of claim 1, wherein the distal tip is comprised of a thermoplastic elastomer. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The catheter of claim 1, wherein the polymer tip member includes a non-tapered proximal portion and a tapered distal portion. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The catheter of claim 7, wherein a length of the non-tapered proximal portion is about equal to a length of the tapered distal portion. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The catheter of claim 7, wherein a length of the non-tapered proximal portion is greater than a length of the tapered distal portion. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The catheter of claim 1, wherein proximal and intermediate portions of the tip member are loaded with a radiopaque filler material, and wherein the distal tip lacks the radiopaque filler material. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The catheter of claim 1, wherein the shaft body includes a braid and a coil surrounding the liner. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The catheter of claim 1, wherein the shaft body includes a coil surrounding the liner, and wherein a distal end of the coil extends beyond the distal end of the shaft body and into the tip member. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The catheter of claim 1, wherein the tip member is formed by a die tipping process. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The catheter of claim 1, further comprising: one or more helical threads on a distal outer surface portion of the polymer cover of the shaft body, the one or more helical threads configured to urge movement of the shaft body within vasculature via rotation applied to the shaft body's proximal end; and an outer wrapper covering the distal outer surface portion of the polymer cover and the one or more helical threads, the outer wrapper including a thermoplastic elastomer configured to shrink upon heating. ### Claim 15 A method, comprising: advancing a distal end of a guidewire to a location proximate a stenosis or other narrowing in a blood vessel; guiding a catheter over the guidewire, including inserting a proximal end of the guidewire into an inner lumen of the catheter, where the inner lumen extends through an elongate shaft body, which is defined by a liner, a braid or coil surrounding the liner, and a polymer cover surrounding the braid or coil, and a tip member, which is disposed at a distal end of the shaft body and includes a distal tip having a hardness greater than that of a remainder of the tip member; using the guidewire as a rail, advancing a distal end of the catheter to the location proximate the stenosis or narrowing; and advancing the guidewire through the stenosis or narrowing with the support of the catheter. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising rotating the catheter in a first direction without locking the distal tip of the tip member onto an outer surface of the guidewire. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein rotating the catheter in the first direction includes inhibiting kinking between the distal end of the shaft body and a proximal end of the tip member by extending the braid or coil beyond the distal end of the shaft body and into the proximal end of the tip member. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein a durometer of the distal tip is greater than a durometer of a reminder of the tip member. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the distal tip has a length of 0.5 mm to 3 mm, inclusive. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising viewing a portion of the tip member, which is positioned proximal to the distal tip and is loaded with a radiopaque filler material, but not viewing the distal tip, which lacks the radiopaque filler material.