Intraluminal catheter with a composite shaft
AssigneeAdvanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.
InventorsRobert D. Ainsworth, Bruce H. Wand, David T. Jacobson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A composite tubular element for intravascular catheters, such as fixed-wire dilatation catheters and guiding and angiographic catheters, which is formed by braiding strands formed from an intimate mixture of polymeric matrix materials, such as fibers and powders, having a relatively low melting point and high strength reinforcing fibers having a relatively high melting point into a tubular element, heating the braided tubular element to melt the low melting point matrix materials and flow around the reinforcing fibers to form a matrix. A thermoplastic jacket or coating may then be extruded or otherwise applied to the exterior of the braided tubular element.
Claims16
An intravascular catheter for performing diagnostic or therapeutic procedures within a patient's blood vessel comprising a catheter shaft having an inner lumen extending therein and a wall defining the inner lumen which is formed of a polymeric matrix and braided polymeric strands therein with a plurality of reinforcing metallic ribbons separate from the braided polymeric strands within the wall of the composite shaft.
A balloon dilatation catheter for performing an angioplasty procedure comprising;
- a) an elongated tubular shaft having a cylindrical wall with an inner lumen extending therein and formed of a polymeric matrix, braided polymeric strands incorporated therein and a plurality of reinforcing metallic ribbons separate from the braided polymeric strands within the polymer matrix;
- and
- b) a dilatation balloon on a distal portion of the tubular shaft having an interior in fluid communication with the inner lumen of the catheter shaft.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.