US 5,344,413 A · Catheter having a tip connector for rapid catheter exchanges

Abstract

A catheter, such as an angioplasty catheter is provided with a distal tip segment having a helical slit. The helical slit has a proximal end and a distal end that extends fully to and intersects the rim of the tip segment that defines the distal outlet orifice. The helically slit tip segment can be unrolled partly or fully from its helical configuration and may be attached directly to an indwelling guidewire at any location along the exposed length of the guidewire. The catheter includes a guidewire lumen thereby enabling the catheter to be placed on a guidewire in conventional or in monorail fashion. Additionally, when placed on a guidewire in monorail fashion, the guidewire lumen of the catheter may be used to infuse liquids, take pressure measurements or the like.

Claims7

Dependent claims

A cardiovascular catheter comprising:

an elongate flexible shaft having proximal and distal ends, the shaft having a primary lumen adapted to receive a guidewire;
a tubular tip segment at the distal end of the shaft, the tip segment normally being in a first configuration in communication with the primary lumen and having a distal outlet orifice, the tip segment comprising a helically coiled element and having a second configuration in which the tip segment is uncoiled to define a relatively short secondary lumen that is out of communication with the primary lumen, the secondary lumen being adapted to receive a guidewire, whereby the secondary lumen may be coupled to a guidewire while the first lumen remains unobstructed to provide communication between the proximal and distal ends of the catheter while the catheter is in engagement with a guidewire.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Catheter having a tip connector for rapid catheter exchanges

Life of this patent

Catheter having a tip connector for rapid catheter exchanges

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims7