US 5,911,715 AGranted

Guide catheter having selected flexural modulus segments

AssigneeSciMed Life Systems, Inc.

InventorsTodd A. Berg, Jason A. Galdonik

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Abstract

A guiding catheter for use in coronary angioplasty and other cardiovascular interventions which incorporates a plurality of segment of selected flexural modulus in the shaft of the device. The segments which have a different flexibility than the sections immediately proximal and distal to them, creating zones in the catheter shaft which are either more or less flexible than other zones of the shaft. The flexibility and length of the shaft in a given zone is then matched to its clinical function and role. A mid-shaft zone is significantly softer than a proximal shaft or distal secondary curve to better traverse the aortic arch shape without storing too much energy. A secondary zone section is designed to have maximum stiffness to provide optimum backup support and stability.

Claims26

Dependent claims

A tubular assembly for a guide catheter comprising:

a. an inner tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal surface;
b. a support member disposed over a substantial portion of said longitudinal surface and conforming thereto, said support member having a distal end terminated proximal of said distal end of said inner tubular member;
and
b. a support member disposed over a substantial portion of said longitudinal surface and conforming thereto, said support member having a distal end terminated proximal of said distal end of said inner tubular member;
and
c. a plurality of discrete outer tubular member segments disposed over said inner tubular member and said support member in abutting relationship, wherein said plurality includes at least a first, second and third outer tubular member segment with said second outer tubular member segment between said first and third outer tubular member segment and having a flexural modulus greater than said first and third outer tubular member segments, and wherein in combination said plurality of discrete outer tubular members form an outer tubular member extending over at least a substantial portion of the length of said inner tubular member.

3 more elements

A guide catheter comprising:

a. an inner tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal surface;
b. a support member disposed over a substantial portion of said longitudinal surface and conforming thereto, said support member having a distal end terminated proximal of said distal end of said inner tubular member;
c. a plurality of discrete outer tubular member segments disposed over said inner tubular member and said support member in abutting relationship, wherein in combination said plurality of discrete outer tubular members form an outer tubular member extending the length of said inner tubular member, said plurality of discrete outer tubular member segments include a soft tip zone outer tubular member, at least a portion of which extends proximally from said distal end of said inner tubular member, a distal section zone outer tubular member extending proximally from said soft tip zone outer tubular member, a transition zone outer tubular member extending proximally from said distal section zone outer tubular member, a secondary curve zone outer tubular member extending proximally from said transition zone outer tubular member, a mid-shaft zone outer tubular member extending proximally from said secondary curve zone outer tubular member and a proximal shaft zone outer tubular member extending proximally from said mid-shaft zone outer tubular member;
and,
d. wherein said secondary curve zone outer tubular member has a flexural modulus greater than said mid-shaft zone outer tubular member and said transition zone outer tubular member.

2 more elements

A guide catheter comprising:

a. an inner tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal surface;
b. a support member disposed over a substantial portion of said longitudinal surface and conforming thereto, said support member having a distal end terminated proximal of said distal end of said inner tubular member;
and
c. a plurality of discrete outer tubular member segments disposed over said inner tubular member and said support member in abutting relationship, wherein in combination said plurality of discrete outer tubular members form an outer tubular member extending the length of said inner tubular member, said outer tubular member segments having different flexibility characteristics so that as assembled said guide catheter has discrete segments of selected flexural modulus which are not progressively more flexible in the distal direction, over the entire length thereof.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/800,927Filed 13 Feb 1997 · continuation in part
Priority: 14 Feb 1994
Granted: 15 Jun 1999
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification14 codes

A61M 25/0009
Catheters; Hollow probes: making of catheters or other medical or surgical tubes
A61M 25/0043
Catheters; Hollow probes: characterised by structural features
A61M 25/0054
Characterised by structural features: with regions for increasing flexibility
F16L 9/147
Compound tubes, i.e. made of materials not wholly covered by any one of the preceding groups: comprising only layers of metal and plastics with or…