Flexible tubular device for use in medical applications
AssigneeMayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
InventorsRobert S. Schwartz, David R. Holmes, Frederick S. Halverson, James V. Donadio, III, David Berry
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus for use as a catheter, a guidewire, a catheter sheath for use with catheter introducers or a drug infusion catheter/guidewire. The apparatus includes a flexible tubular member with an encasing covering the tubular member that creates a fluid-tight seal around the periphery of the tubular member. The tubular member is self-supporting and includes a plurality of apertures therein in a predetermined configuration to increase the flexibility of the tubular member.
Claims18
An apparatus for use as a biocompatible medical device for insertion into vessels of the body comprising:
- a) a self-supporting tube having a plurality of apertures formed therein to increase the flexibility of the tube;
- and
- b) an encasing covering the tube so as to provide a fluid-tight seal.
An apparatus for use as a biocompatible medical device for insertion into vessels of the body comprising:
- a) a self-supporting tube having a longitudinally extending spiraled aperture cut therein to increase the flexibility of the tube;
- and
- b) an encasing covering the tube so as to provide for a fluid-tight seal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.