# US 2021/0275136 A1 · Lined variable braided differential durometer multi-lumen shaft with a cross-shaped inner profile > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0275136 A1 - Document ID: US20210275136A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/336,511 - Filed: 2017-09-25 - Published: 2021-09-09 - Earliest claimed: 2016-09-29 - Assignees: Koninklijke Philips N.V. - Applicants: Koninklijke Philips N.V. - Inventors: Jeremy Stigall; Princeton Saroha; Maritess Minas - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210275136A1 ## CPC - A61B 8/12: in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters - A61B 1/0011: {Manufacturing of endoscope parts} - A61B 1/00114: {Electrical cables in or with an endoscope} - A61B 1/0055: {Constructional details of insertion parts, e.g. vertebral elements} - A61B 1/0057: {Constructional details of force transmission elements, e.g. control wires} - A61B 8/445: {Details of catheter construction} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract An imaging catheter is provided. In one embodiment, the imaging catheter includes a flexible elongate member that includes a proximal portion formed of a first material embedded with a first braid with a first braid pitch; a distal portion formed of a second material embedded with a second braid with a second braid pitch, wherein the second material is a lower durometer than the first material and wherein the second braid pitch is a higher per inch count than the first braid pitch such that the distal portion is more flexible than the proximal portion; a primary lumen extending between the proximal portion and the distal portion; and a plurality of secondary lumens extending between the proximal portion and the distal portion; and an imaging component coupled to the distal portion of the flexible elongate member. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An imaging catheter, comprising: a flexible elongate member that includes: a proximal portion comprising a first material embedded with a first braid with a first braid pitch; a distal portion comprising a second material embedded with a second braid with a second braid pitch, wherein the second material is a lower durometer than the first material and wherein the second braid pitch includes a higher per inch count than the first braid pitch such that the distal portion is more flexible than the proximal portion; a primary lumen extending at least partially through the proximal portion and the distal portion; and a plurality of secondary lumens extending at least partially through the proximal portion and the distal portion; and an imaging component coupled to the distal portion of the flexible elongate member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The imaging catheter of claim 1, wherein the first material comprises a polyether block amide of durometer 72D. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The imaging catheter of claim 1, wherein the second material comprises a polyether block amide of durometer 35D or 45D. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The imaging catheter of claim 1, wherein the first braid and the second braid are constructed from flat wires. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The imaging catheter of claim 4, wherein the flat wires are composed of steel. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The imaging catheter of claim 1, wherein the first braid pitch includes a first per inch count, and wherein the second braid pitch includes a second per inch count that is about twice the first per inch count. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The imaging catheter of claim 1, wherein the flexible elongate member includes a third braid embedded within the first material and the second material across a transition between the proximal portion and the distal portion, and wherein the third braid includes variable braid pitches that transition between a first per inch count of the first braid pitch and a second per inch count of the second braid pitch. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The imaging catheter of claim 1, wherein the primary lumen includes a cross-shaped cross-section. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The imaging catheter of claim 8, wherein the plurality of secondary lumens are positioned relative to the primary lumen between arms of the cross-shaped cross-section. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The imaging catheter of claim 1, further comprising a communication cable coupled to the imaging component and extending through the primary lumen. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The imaging catheter of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of steering lines coupled to the distal portion of the flexible elongate member and extending through the plurality of secondary lumens. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The imaging catheter of claim 1, wherein the distal portion is deflectable up to a radius curvature of about 14 millimeters (mm). ### Claim 13 A method of manufacturing an imaging catheter, the method comprising: forming a proximal portion of a flexible elongate member with a first material embedded with a first braid with a first braid pitch, wherein the proximal portion includes a first primary lumen and a first plurality of secondary lumens; forming a distal portion of the flexible elongate member with a second material embedded with a second braid with a second braid pitch, wherein the second material is a lower durometer than the first material and wherein the second braid pitch includes a higher per inch count than the first braid pitch such that the distal portion is more flexible than the proximal portion; and coupling an imaging component to the distal portion of the flexible elongate member. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the first braid and the second braid are constructed from stainless steel flat wires. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the first braid pitch includes a first per inch count, and wherein the second braid pitch includes a second per inch count that is about twice the first per inch count. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, further comprising forming a third braid within the first material and the second material across a transition between the proximal portion and the distal portion, and wherein the third braid includes variable braid pitches that transition between a first per inch count of the first braid pitch and a second per inch count of the second braid pitch. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the forming the proximal portion includes forming the proximal portion to define a cross-shaped cross section for the first primary lumen and to position the first plurality of secondary lumens relative to arms of the cross-shaped cross section. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the forming the distal portion includes forming the distal portion to define a second primary lumen in communication with the first primary lumen and to define a second plurality of secondary lumens in communication with the first plurality of secondary lumens. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, further comprising: coupling a communication cable to the imaging component; and extending the communication cable through the second primary lumen of the distal portion and the first primary lumen of the proximal portion. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, further comprising: coupling a plurality of steering lines to the distal portion; and extending the plurality of steering lines through the second plurality of secondary lumens of the distal portion and the first plurality of secondary lumens of the proximal portion.