Process for making a catheter
AssigneeSciMed Life Systems, Inc.
InventorsCyril J. Schweich, Jr., James R. Pray, Brian J. Brown
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An intravascular catheter for providing access to distal vascular sites. The intravascular catheter comprises an elongate shaft with a lumen extending therethrough. The elongate shaft is comprised of a composite construction and has a proximal relatively stiff section, a distal section relatively more flexible than the proximal section, and an intermediate section between the proximal and the distal sections that provides a transition in flexibility between the proximal section and the distal section. The distal section has surface contours that impart flexibility to the distal section. A method for processing a tubular member with surface contours for use in a medical device, such as a catheter or guide wire, is also provided.
Claims21
A method for forming a tubular member for a medical device comprising the steps of:
- providing a tubular member of a plastic material, said tubular member having a wall with a surface and a length, and
- applying a compressive force to one side of the wall of the tubular member at a region of the tubular member along said length, said compressive force being sufficient to reform said material of said tubular member to impart a contour to said surface.
A method for forming a tubular member for a medical device comprising the steps of:
- providing a tubular member of a plastic material, said tubular member having a wall with an inner surface, an outer surface and a length;
- and
- applying a compressive force to the outer surface of the wall of the tubular member at a region of the tubular member along said length, said compressive force being sufficient to reform said material of said tubular member to impart a contour to said surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.