CATHETER AND METHOD

• US 20130116651A1
• Filed: 12/27/2012
• Published: 05/09/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Original Assignee: Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Inventors: Takagi, Ayumu, Ebata, Katsunori, Takashige, Ryusuke
• Granted Patent: US 9,656,042 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/506
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0098 having a strain relief at the proximal end, e.g. sleeve
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1066 having protection means, e.g. sliding sleeve to protect connector itself, shrouds to protect a needle present in the connector, protective housing, isolating sheath
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0054 with regions for increasing flexibility
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0097 characterised by the hub connectors A61M39/10

Abstract

The presently disclosed subject matter relates to a catheter and method. The catheter can be configured as a guiding catheter with a flexible shaft section, a hub disposed at a proximal portion of the shaft section, and a strain relief section that surrounds a predetermined proximal-side range of the shaft section. A distal end of the strain relief section can be moved along an axial direction of the shaft section at least toward the side where the hub is located.

Claims

1. A catheter comprising:

a flexible shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion opposed to the proximal portion along a longitudinal axis;

a hub disposed at the proximal portion of the shaft; and

a strain relief surrounding a predetermined proximal-side range of the shaft and including a distal end and a proximal end, and the distal end being closer to the distal portion of the shaft than the proximal end,

wherein the distal end of the strain relief is configured such that the distal end of the strain relief is movable to be displaced along an axial direction of the shaft towards the proximal portion where the hub is located.

2. The catheter according to claim 1,

wherein the strain relief is configured to contract in the axial direction of the shaft.

3. The catheter according to claim 2,

wherein the strain relief is configured in a belt-like shape and is spirally wound around the shaft.

4. The catheter according to claim 3,

wherein at least one of an outer circumferential surface and an inner circumferential surface of the strain relief includes a groove.

5. The catheter according to claim 2,

wherein at least one of an outer circumferential surface and an inner circumferential surface of the strain relief includes a groove.

6. The catheter according to claim 1,

wherein the hub includes a storage chamber in which at least part of the strain relief is configured to be stored when the distal end of the strain relief is displaced along the axial direction of the shaft.

7. The catheter according to claim 6,

wherein the strain relief is spirally wound around the shaft, and

the storage chamber includes a spiral groove configured to engage with the strain relief.

8. The catheter according to claim 7,

wherein the hub is one of fixed and rotatable with respect to the shaft.

9. The catheter according to claim 1,

wherein the strain relief has:

a first member disposed at a distal end of the hub; and

a second member protruding along a distal direction of the first member and which is configured to be varied in the amount of protrusion relative to the first member.

10. The catheter according to claim 9,

wherein a surface of the first member which faces the second member includes a first engagement part, and

a surface of the second member which faces the first member includes a second engagement part configured to engage with the first engagement part.

11. The catheter according to claim 10,

wherein the first and second members are each formed in a belt-like shape and are spirally wound around the shaft.

12. The catheter according to claim 9,

wherein the first and second members are each formed in a belt-like shape and are spirally wound around the shaft.

13. The catheter according to claim 9,

wherein the strain relief includes a plurality of projections and recesses that mate with each other and lock together when the distal portion of the strain relief is moved relative to the proximal portion of the strain relief.

14. A catheter comprising:

a flexible shaft having a longitudinal axis extending in an axial direction and a proximal portion located at a first end of the flexible shaft and a distal portion located at a second opposed end of the flexible shaft;

a hub disposed at the proximal portion of the shaft; and

a strain relief located along a predetermined range of the proximal portion of the shaft, the strain relief including a distal end and a proximal end, and the distal end being closer to the distal portion of the shaft than the proximal end,

wherein the strain relief and hub are configured such that the distal end of the strain relief is movable in the axial direction with respect to at least one of the hub and the proximal end of the strain relief.

15. The catheter according to claim 14,

wherein the strain relief is configured to contract substantially 5 cm in the axial direction of the shaft.

16. The catheter according to claim 14,

wherein the strain relief is configured in a belt-like shape and is spirally wound around the shaft.

17. The catheter according to claim 16,

wherein at least one of an outer circumferential surface and an inner circumferential surface of the strain relief includes a groove.

18. The catheter according to claim 14,

wherein the hub includes a storage chamber in which at least part of the strain relief is configured to be moved into when the distal end of the strain relief is displaced along the axial direction of the shaft.

19. The catheter according to claim 14, wherein the strain relief has:

a first member disposed at a distal end of the hub; and

a second member protruding along a distal direction of the first member and which is configured to be varied in the amount of protrusion relative to the first member.

20. A method of using a catheter comprising:

providing a flexible shaft having a longitudinal axis extending in an axial direction and a proximal portion located at a first end of the flexible shaft and a distal portion located at a second opposed end of the flexible shaft;

providing a hub disposed at the proximal portion of the shaft;

providing a strain relief located along a predetermined range of the proximal portion of the shaft, the strain relief including a distal end and a proximal end, and the distal end being closer to the distal portion of the shaft than the proximal end; and

moving the distal end of the strain relief in the axial direction with respect to at least one of the hub and the proximal end of the strain relief such that an added length of the flexible shaft is revealed and available during use of the catheter.