Reinforced catheter and method of manufacture

Abstract

A catheter shaft is disclosed that may reduce the thickness of the inner layer and/or may allow the reinforcing layer to share the same space as the inner lubricious layer. In one illustrative embodiment, the inner lubricious layer is removed altogether, and an inner tubular braid member defines the inner lumen of the catheter shaft. In another illustrative embodiment, the inner lubricious layer and the reinforcing layer are effectively combined to form a reinforcing member. To combine the inner lubricious layer and the reinforcing layer, the wires used to form the reinforcing braid or coil are first coated with a lubricious polymer such as PTFE or PFA. When these strands are wound to form the tubular reinforcing member, the inner surface of the reinforcing member includes a lubricious surface. Various methods are also disclosed for providing a smooth inner surface for the catheter shaft.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.