Medical device

A medical device comprising:

• an elongated inner tubular member including a proximal portion and a distal portion and defining an outer surface and a lumen;
• and
• an elongated tubular reinforcing member having an outer surface and an inner surface, and including a plurality of apertures defined in the outer surface thereof, the reinforcing member being disposed about the entire length of the proximal portion of the inner tubular member such that the distal portion of the inner tubular member is free of the reinforcing member, and wherein at least a portion of the outer surface of the inner tubular member along the proximal portion is spaced from the inner surface of the reinforcing member such that a space is formed that is unfilled by any other structure of the device;
• and
• wherein the tubular reinforcing member is a monolithic structure having a wall defining and enclosing the apertures.

A catheter comprising:

• an elongated inner tubular member including a proximal portion and a distal portion and defining an outer surface and a lumen;
• a elongated tubular reinforcing member having a proximal end and a distal end, and defining an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the reinforcing member has a wall defining and enclosing a plurality of apertures defined in the outer surface, the reinforcing member being disposed about the proximal portion of the inner tubular member such that the distal portion of the inner tubular member is free of the reinforcing member and such that a space is formed between the outer surface of the inner tubular member and the inner surface of the reinforcing member along the proximal portion that is unfilled by any other structure of the catheter;
• and
• a tip structure coupled to the distal portion of the inner tubular member adjacent the distal end of the reinforcing member.

A method of manufacturing an elongate shaft of a medical device, the method comprising:

• providing a first elongated tubular member including a proximal portion and a distal portion and defining an outer surface and a lumen;
• coupling an elongated tubular reinforcing member about the proximal portion of the inner tubular member such that the distal portion of the inner tubular member is free of the reinforcing member, the elongated tubular reinforcing member having an inner surface, and the elongated tubular reinforcing member being coupled to the first elongated tubular member and such that at least a portion of the outer surface of the inner tubular member along the proximal portion is spaced from the inner surface of the reinforcing member;
• wherein the tubular reinforcing member includes a wall defining and enclosing a plurality of apertures;
• and
• wherein the spacing between the outer surface of the inner tubular member and the inner surface of the reinforcing member forms a space that is unfilled by any other structure of the device.

A catheter comprising:

• a first elongated tubular member including a proximal portion and a distal portion and defining an outer surface and a lumen,
• a means for reinforcing the proximal portion of the inner tubular member such that the distal portion of the inner tubular member is free of the reinforcing means and such that at least a portion of the reinforcing means is spaced from the proximal portion of the inner tubular member, the means for reinforcing including a wall defining and enclosing a plurality of apertures;
• an atraumatic tip on the distal portion of the inner tubular member;
• and
• wherein the spacing between the outer surface of the inner tubular member and the inner surface of the reinforcing member forms a space that is unfilled by any other structure of the catheter.