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.
Claims8
A method of producing a catheter, the method comprising:
- providing an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the elongate shaft having a transition in flexibility, the transition in flexibility occurring in a transition region;
- providing a spiral cut transition member having a distal end and a proximal end;
- attaching the proximal end of the transition member proximal of the transition region such that the transition member overlies at least a portion of the transition region;
- wherein only the proximal end of the transition member is attached to the elongate shaft.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.