Catheter having flexible tip with multiple flexible segments
First Claim
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1. A catheter apparatus comprising:
- an elongated body having a distal portion including a sidewall, a distal end, a plurality of flexible segments, and at least one intermediate segment that is less flexible than said flexible segments, wherein adjacent said flexible segments are spaced from each other longitudinally by said at least one intermediate segment, wherein each said flexible segment comprises a sidewall having at least one elongated gap extending at least partially therethrough and forming interlocking members, wherein said at least one intermediate segment is shorter than said flexible segments, and wherein said each flexible segment sidewall forms at least a portion of the distal portion sidewall;
a plurality of biasing members that resiliently biases said plurality of flexible segments to a pre-determined configuration when no applied force is place on the distal portion, a lumen extension member having a sidewall and a lumen extending therethrough, said lumen extension member extending at least partially through said distal portion and configured such that said lumen extension member does not compromise a flexibility of the flexible segments, said lumen extension member coupled to said distal portion; and
a plurality of openings extending through the lumen extension member.
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Abstract
A catheter apparatus includes an elongated body having a distal portion including a distal end, a plurality of flexible segments, and at least one intermediate segment that is less flexible than the flexible segments. Adjacent flexible segments are spaced from each other longitudinally by the at least one intermediate segment. Each of the flexible segments include a sidewall having at least one elongated gap extending at least partially therethrough and forming interlocking members. The at least one intermediate segment is shorter than the flexible segments.
118 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A catheter apparatus comprising:
- an elongated body having a distal portion including a sidewall, a distal end, a plurality of flexible segments, and at least one intermediate segment that is less flexible than said flexible segments, wherein adjacent said flexible segments are spaced from each other longitudinally by said at least one intermediate segment, wherein each said flexible segment comprises a sidewall having at least one elongated gap extending at least partially therethrough and forming interlocking members, wherein said at least one intermediate segment is shorter than said flexible segments, and wherein said each flexible segment sidewall forms at least a portion of the distal portion sidewall;
a plurality of biasing members that resiliently biases said plurality of flexible segments to a pre-determined configuration when no applied force is place on the distal portion, a lumen extension member having a sidewall and a lumen extending therethrough, said lumen extension member extending at least partially through said distal portion and configured such that said lumen extension member does not compromise a flexibility of the flexible segments, said lumen extension member coupled to said distal portion; and
a plurality of openings extending through the lumen extension member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
- an elongated body having a distal portion including a sidewall, a distal end, a plurality of flexible segments, and at least one intermediate segment that is less flexible than said flexible segments, wherein adjacent said flexible segments are spaced from each other longitudinally by said at least one intermediate segment, wherein each said flexible segment comprises a sidewall having at least one elongated gap extending at least partially therethrough and forming interlocking members, wherein said at least one intermediate segment is shorter than said flexible segments, and wherein said each flexible segment sidewall forms at least a portion of the distal portion sidewall;
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9. A distal portion for a catheter, said distal portion comprising:
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a distal end; a sidewall; a plurality of flexible segments, each flexible segment of said plurality of flexible segments comprising a sidewall that forms at least a portion of the distal portion sidewall; a plurality of biasing members that resiliently biases said plurality of flexible segments to a pre-determined configuration when no applied force is placed on the distal portion, wherein said plurality of biasing members do not directly contact said plurality of flexible segments in an at rest position; and at least one intermediate segment, wherein adjacent said flexible segments are spaced from each other longitudinally by said at least one intermediate segment, each said flexible segment sidewall having at least one elongated gap extending at least partially therethrough and forming interlocking members, wherein said at least one intermediate segment is shorter than said flexible segments, said elongated gaps imparting flexibility to said flexible segments and enabling different operating configurations relative to a longitudinal axis. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A distal portion for a catheter, said distal portion comprising:
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a distal end; a plurality of flexible segments, a plurality of biasing members that resiliently biases said plurality of flexible segments to a pre-determined configuration when no applied force is placed on the distal portion, wherein said plurality of biasing members do not directly contact said plurality of flexible segments in an at rest position and; at least one intermediate segment, wherein adjacent said flexible segments are spaced from each other longitudinally by said at least one intermediate segment, each said flexible segment comprising a sidewall having at least one elongated gap extending at least partially therethrough and forming interlocking members, wherein said at least one intermediate segment is shorter than said flexible segments, said elongated gaps imparting flexibility to said flexible segments and enabling different operating configurations relative to a longitudinal axis, wherein said distal portion is bendable about 40 to about 44 degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of said distal portion.
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Specification