Flexible delivery device
AssigneeCardia, Inc.
InventorsMichael P. Corcoran, Joseph A. Marino
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This invention relates to catheter delivery systems, and more specifically, to a tubular device with improved torque and flexure characteristics. The present invention is a tubular device having improved torque and flexure characteristics which uses a series of permanently interlocking independent segments to provide the necessary torque and flexure characteristics.
Claims18
A guidable tubular device with improved flexibility, the device comprising:
- a tube;
- a plurality of cuts in the tube which separate the tube into interlocking segments, each interlocking segment comprising at least four teeth and at least four grooves, wherein a maximum width of each tooth is approximately equal to a maximum width of each groove and the teeth of one interlocking segment fit into the grooves of an adjacent interlocking segment;
- and
- wherein each of the plurality of cuts is shaped so that the teeth of one segment cannot be separated from the grooves of an adjacent interlocking segment.
A flexible tubular member for use in a percutaneous delivery system, the member comprising:
- a plurality of tubular interlocking independent segments wherein each segment
- includes:
- a proximal end;
- a distal end;
- and
- at least four contoured teeth and at least four grooves on both the proximal and distal ends, shaped so that the proximal and distal ends interlock with the proximal and distal ends of adjacent segments, allowing flexing but not axial disconnection, wherein a maximum width of each tooth is approximately equal to a maximum width of each groove.
A guidable tubular device for use in a percutaneous delivery system, the device comprising:
- a tubular member;
- a plurality of channels extending circumferentially around and through the tube, creating individual segments of tubing comprising at least four teeth and at least four grooves, wherein a maximum width of each tooth is approximately equal to a maximum width of each groove;
- and
- wherein the segments of tubing remain interlocked and cannot be disconnected from one another in an axial direction.
A flexible tubular member for use in a percutaneous delivery system, the member comprising:
- a plurality of modular interlocking independent segments wherein each segment
- includes:
- a proximal end;
- a distal end;
- and
- a plurality of cuts comprising at least four symmetrical fan dovetail cut contoured teeth and at least four symmetrical fan dovetail cut contoured grooves on both the proximal and distal ends, shaped so that the proximal and distal ends interlock with the proximal and distal ends of adjacent segments allowing flexing but not axial disconnection, wherein a maximum width of each tooth is approximately equal to a maximum width of each groove.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.