Catheter with spiral cut transition member
AssigneeSciMed Life Systems, Inc.
InventorsChristopher R. Larson, Angela J. Kornkven
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A spiral cut transition member is disclosed for controlling the transition in stiffness of a catheter from a stiffer more pushable proximal section to a more flexible and trackable distal section and increasing kink resistance. The transition member has a spiral cut provided therein to vary the flexibility of the transition member over its length. The pitch of the spiral cut can be varied to facilitate a gradual transition in flexibility along the catheter. The transition member may be used in conjunction with any type of catheter including single-operator-exchange type catheters, over-the wire type catheters, and/or fixed-wire type catheters.
Claims9
A catheter assembly comprising:
- an elongate shaft having a transition in flexibility;
- and
- a transition tube disposed about the shaft and having a spiral cut along at least a portion of the transition tube, the transition tube positioned adjacent at least a portion of the transition in flexibility of the shaft, wherein the transition tube has a region that is generally radially spaced from the shaft when the shaft is in a substantially straight configuration, and at least in part engaged with the shaft when the catheter is in a bent configuration.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.