# US 8,096,985 B2 · Deflectable guide > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,096,985 B2 - Document ID: US8096985B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/437,495 - Filed: 2009-05-07 - Published: 2009-11-19 - Granted: 2012-01-17 - Earliest claimed: 2008-05-07 - Assignees: Guided Delivery Systems, Inc. - Inventors: Marlone Legaspi; Huu Nguyen; Eugene Serina - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8096985B2 ## CPC - A61M 25/0054: {with regions for increasing flexibility} - A61M 25/005: {with embedded materials for reinforcement, e.g. wires, coils, braids} - A61M 25/0141: {having flexible regions as a result of using materials with different mechanical properties} - A61M 25/0147: {with movable mechanical means, e.g. pull wires} - A61M 2025/0059: {having means for preventing the catheter, sheath or lumens from collapsing due to outer forces, e.g. compressing forces, or caused by twisting or kinking} - A61M 2025/0161: {wherein the distal tips have two or more deflection regions} - A61M 2025/0163: {Looped catheters} - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## Abstract Described herein are devices and methods for guide catheters having one or more regions of increased flexibility. A flexibility region comprises one tubular segment of the guide catheter with a non-linear longitudinal seam between two non-concentric layers of material having different durometers. A non-linear seam, such as a zig-zag or sinusoidal configuration, permits controlled compression of lower durometer material between portions of higher durometer material. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A catheter, comprising: a deformation zone comprising a proximal end, a distal end, a longitudinal length and a longitudinal axis therebetween, a lower durometer segment located along an inner curve of the deformation zone, a higher durometer segment located along an outer curve of the deformation zone, and a first contiguous longitudinal interface between the lower durometer segment and the higher durometer segment, wherein the first interface has a length equal to or greater than the longitudinal length of the deformation zone; a post-deformation section distal to the deformation zone formed with a curve; a pull structure between the distal end of the deformation zone and the curve of the post-deformation section; and a pull wire engaging the pull structure, the pull wire moveable to control deflection of the deformation zone. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The catheter of claim 1, wherein the lower durometer segment comprises a polymeric material. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The catheter of claim 1, wherein the higher durometer segment comprises a polymeric material. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The catheter of claim 1, wherein the first interface has a non-linear configuration. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The catheter of claim 4, wherein the first interface comprises a zig-zag configuration. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The catheter of claim 4, wherein the first interface comprises intercalating portions of the lower durometer segment and the higher durometer segment. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The catheter of claim 1, wherein the deformation zone further comprises a second interface between the lower durometer segment and the higher durometer segment, wherein the second interface is separate from the first interface. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The catheter of claim 7, wherein the second interface has a length greater than the longitudinal length of the deformation zone. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The catheter of claim 1, wherein the deformation zone has a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein the second configuration has an increased bend compared to the first configuration. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The catheter of claim 9, wherein the second configuration is a curved configuration having a lesser curvature and a greater curvature, and wherein the lower durometer segment is located along the lesser curvature. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The catheter of claim 1, wherein the higher durometer segment has an angular width of at least about 45 degrees on an axial cross-section of the deformation zone. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The catheter of claim 11, wherein the lower durometer segment has an angular width of at least about 90 degrees on the axial cross-section of the deformation zone. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The catheter of claim 12, wherein the lower durometer segment has an angular width of at least about 180 degrees on the axial cross-section of the deformation zone. ### Claim 14 A catheter, comprising: a deformation zone comprising a proximal end, a distal end, a longitudinal length therebetween, a first polymeric layer comprising a proximal edge, a distal edge, a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge, and a second polymeric layer comprising a proximal edge, a distal edge, a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge; a post-deformation section distal to the deformation zone formed with a curve; a pull structure between the distal end of the deformation zone and the curve; and a pull wire engaging the pull structure, the pull wire moveable to control deflection of the deformation zone; wherein the first polymeric material has a lower durometer than the second polymeric material, and wherein the first polymeric material is located longitudinally along an inner curvature of the deformation zone and the second polymeric material is located longitudinally along an outer curvature of the deformation zone; and wherein the first lateral edge of the first polymeric layer is joined to at least a portion of the second lateral edge of the second polymeric layer; and wherein the second lateral edge of the first polymeric layer is joined to at least a portion of the first lateral edge of the second polymeric layer.