CATHETER DEVICES AND METHODS FOR MAKING THEM
First Claim
1. A method for making a tubular body, comprising:
- directing a primary mandrel along a central axis of a braiding apparatus such that the primary mandrel is surrounded by a plurality of reinforcement carrying elements in a predetermined configuration relative to the central axis;
providing an elongate conductor dispenser at a first location adjacent to the reinforcement carrying elements and offset from the central axis;
with a conductor feeding from the dispenser at the first location, simultaneously wrapping reinforcement members from the reinforcement carrying elements and wrapping the conductor from the dispenser helically around a first portion of the primary mandrel;
moving the dispenser to a second location;
with the conductor feeding from the dispenser at the second location, wrapping reinforcement members from the reinforcement carrying elements helically around a second portion of the primary mandrel while the conductor extends substantially axially along the second portion;
applying an outer jacket around the primary and secondary mandrels after wrapping the one or more reinforcement members therearound; and
removing the primary mandrel to define a primary lumen within the tubular body.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Tubular devices are provided that include a proximal end, a distal end sized for introduction into a patient'"'"'s body, a central lumen, a conductor extending between the proximal and distal ends adjacent the central lumen, reinforcement members including windings extending helically around the central lumen, and an outer jacket. The tubular device includes a first portion in which the conductor extends helically around the central lumen, and a second portion in which the conductor extends longitudinally and either a) all of the windings surround the central lumen and the conductor remains outside the windings, b) at least some of the windings pass between the central lumen and the conductor and at least some of the windings surround both the central lumen and the conductor, and c) all of the windings surround both the central lumen and the conductor. Methods for making such tubular devices are also provided.
58 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method for making a tubular body, comprising:
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directing a primary mandrel along a central axis of a braiding apparatus such that the primary mandrel is surrounded by a plurality of reinforcement carrying elements in a predetermined configuration relative to the central axis; providing an elongate conductor dispenser at a first location adjacent to the reinforcement carrying elements and offset from the central axis; with a conductor feeding from the dispenser at the first location, simultaneously wrapping reinforcement members from the reinforcement carrying elements and wrapping the conductor from the dispenser helically around a first portion of the primary mandrel; moving the dispenser to a second location; with the conductor feeding from the dispenser at the second location, wrapping reinforcement members from the reinforcement carrying elements helically around a second portion of the primary mandrel while the conductor extends substantially axially along the second portion; applying an outer jacket around the primary and secondary mandrels after wrapping the one or more reinforcement members therearound; and removing the primary mandrel to define a primary lumen within the tubular body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17-20. -20. (canceled)
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21. A method for making a tubular body using a braiding apparatus comprising a primary mandrel source configured to direct a primary mandrel along a central axis, a plurality of horn gears movably mounted around the central axis in a predetermined arrangement such that the horn gears rotate about respective horn gear axes and carriers travel along a generally circular around the central axis during operation of the braiding apparatus, and a dispenser configured to direct a conductor towards the primary mandrel from one of a plurality of locations comprising a first location disposed adjacent one of the carriers, a second location aligned with a horn axis of one of the horn gears, a third location outside the generally circular path, and a fourth location adjacent the central axis within the generally circular path, the method comprising:
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braiding a first portion of the primary mandrel by; a) directing the primary mandrel along the central axis; b) providing the dispenser at one of the plurality of locations; c) directing the conductor from the dispenser towards the primary mandrel such that the dispenser is disposed adjacent the first portion of the primary mandrel in a first configuration; and d) wrapping reinforcement members from the horn gears around the first portion of the primary mandrel; braiding a second portion of the primary mandrel by; a) moving the dispenser to another of the plurality of locations; b) directing the primary mandrel further along the central axis; and c) directing the conductor from the dispenser towards the primary mandrel such that the dispenser is disposed adjacent the first portion of the primary mandrel in a second configuration different than the first configuration; d) wrapping reinforcement members from the horn gears around the second portion of the primary mandrel; applying an outer jacket around the first and second portions of the primary mandrel and the secondary mandrel; and removing the primary mandrel to define a primary lumen within the tubular body. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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24-26. -26. (canceled)
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27. A tubular device for a catheter or sheath comprising a proximal end and a distal end sized for introduction into a patient'"'"'s body, the tubular device comprising:
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a central lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends, thereby defining a longitudinal axis; an elongate conductor extending at least partially between the proximal and distal ends adjacent the central lumen; one or more reinforcement members comprising windings extending helically around the central lumen between the proximal and distal ends; and an outer jacket surrounding the one or more reinforcement members, wherein the tubular device comprises a first portion in which the conductor extends helically around the central lumen, and a second portion in which the conductor extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and either a) all of the windings surround the central lumen and the conductor remains outside the windings, b) at least some of the windings pass between the central lumen and the conductor and at least some of the windings surround both the central lumen and the conductor, and c) all of the windings surround both the central lumen and the conductor.
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28-51. -51. (canceled)
Specification