CATHETER SHAFT AND ASSOCIATED DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS

• US 20170072165A1
• Filed: 09/11/2015
• Published: 03/16/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2015
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Cathera, Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Lim, Elaine, Ye, Ting Tina
• Application Number:
  US14/852,268
• Publication Number:
  US 20170072165A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0045 multi-layered, e.g. coated coating materials A61L29/08
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/005 with embedded materials for reinforcement, e.g. wires, coils, braids
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0053 having a variable stiffness along the longitudinal axis, e.g. by varying the pitch of the coil or braid
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0054 with regions for increasing flexibility
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0108 using radio-opaque or ultrasound markers

Abstract

Systems, devices, and methods for detaching an implantable device from a delivery system are disclosed herein. One aspect of the present technology, for example, is directed toward an elongated shaft having an inner surface that defines a lumen that extends distally from the proximal portion to an opening at a distal terminus of a distal portion. In some embodiments the distal portion includes an inner polymer structure having a first portion and a second portion positioned distal of the first portion along the length of the inner polymer structure. The first portion can have a first stiffness and the second portion can have a second stiffness less than the first stiffness. The distal portion can further include an outer polymer structure disposed around the inner polymer structure and a coil wound around the inner polymer structure and disposed within the outer polymer structure.

Claims

1. A catheter, comprising:

an elongated shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein an inner surface of the elongated shaft defines a lumen that extends distally from the proximal portion to an opening at a distal terminus of the distal portion;

wherein the distal portion includes—

an inner polymer structure having a first portion and a second portion positioned distal of the first portion along the length of the inner polymer structure, wherein the first portion has a first stiffness and the second portion has a second stiffness less than the first stiffness;

an outer polymer structure disposed around the inner polymer structure; and

a coil wound around the inner polymer structure and disposed within the outer polymer structure.

2. The catheter of claim 1 wherein a distal terminus of the second portion coincides with the opening at the distal terminus of the shaft.

3. The catheter of claim 1 wherein a distal terminus of the second portion is distal to a distal terminus of the coil.

4. The catheter of claim 1 wherein a distal terminus of the second portion is proximal to a distal terminus of the coil.

5. The catheter of claim 1 wherein the portion of the coil within the distal portion includes a first region and a second region distal to the first region, wherein the first region has a tighter pitch than the second region.

6. The catheter of claim 1 wherein the portion of the coil within the distal portion includes a first region, a second region distal to the first region, and a third region distal to the second region, wherein the first and third regions each have a tighter pitch than the second region.

7. The catheter of claim 1 wherein the portion of the coil within the distal portion includes a first region, a second region distal to the first region, and a third region distal to the second region, wherein the first and third regions each have a wider pitch than the second region.

8. The catheter of claim 1 wherein the inner polymer structure includes a first layer and a second layer surrounding the first layer, and wherein an inner surface of the first layer defines a portion of the lumen.

9. The catheter of claim 1 wherein the inner polymer structure includes a first layer and a second layer surrounded by the first layer, and wherein the first and second portions together comprise the first layer.

10. The catheter of claim 1, further including a radiopaque marker positioned around the inner polymer structure and/or outer polymer structure.

11. The catheter of claim 1 wherein a thickness of each of the inner polymer structure and the outer polymer structure are constant along the length of the distal portion.

12. The catheter of claim 1 wherein a thickness of at least one of the inner polymer structure and the outer polymer structure tapers along the length of the distal portion.

13. A catheter, comprising:

an elongated shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein an inner surface of the elongated shaft defines a lumen that extends distally from the proximal portion to an opening at a distal terminus of the distal portion;

wherein the distal portion includes—

an inner polymer structure having a first portion and a second portion positioned distal of the first portion along the length of the inner polymer structure, wherein the first portion is made of a first material and the second portion is made of a second material different than the first material;

a radiopaque band positioned around a portion of the inner polymer structure;

an outer polymer structure disposed around the inner polymer structure and the radiopaque band; and

a coil wrapped around the inner polymer structure and disposed within the outer polymer structure, wherein the coil has a pitch that varies along the length of the coil.

14. The catheter of claim 13 wherein the portion of the coil within the distal portion includes a first region and a second region distal to the first region, wherein the first region has a tighter pitch than the second region.

15. The catheter of claim 13 wherein the portion of the coil within the distal portion includes a first region, a second region distal to the first region, and a third region distal to the second region, wherein the first and third regions have a tighter pitch than the second region.

16. The catheter of claim 13 wherein the portion of the coil within the distal portion includes a first region, a second region distal to the first region, and a third region distal to the second region, wherein the first and third regions have a wider pitch than the second region.

17. The catheter of claim 13 wherein the portion of the coil within the distal portion includes a first region, a second region distal to the first region, and a third region distal to the second region, wherein the first and third regions each have a wider pitch than the second region.

18. The catheter of claim 13 wherein a stiffness of the second portion is less than a stiffness of the first portion.

19. The catheter of claim 13 wherein the inner polymer structure includes a first layer and a second layer surrounding the first layer, and wherein an inner surface of the second layer defines a portion of the lumen.

20. The catheter of claim 13 wherein the inner polymer structure includes a first layer and a second layer surrounded by the first layer, and wherein the first and second portions together comprise the first layer.