Flexible tubular member for catheter construction
First Claim
1. A catheter for insertion into a subject comprising an elongated tubular member which extends from a proximal end to a distal end of said catheter and defines a passageway extending through said catheter from the proximal end to the distal end;
- said elongated tubular member including a first relatively stiff tube that is spirally cut along a distal portion to increase its flexibility and, includes an inner surface that defines said passageway and a second more flexible tube that covers the spirally cut distal portion of the stiff tube to make a distal portion of the elongated tubular member more flexible than a proximal portion of the elongated tubular member.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A catheter having a two-part tubular member that defines a passageway which extends completely through the catheter. One part of the tubular member is a relatively stiff tube having a reduced wall thickness at its distal end that is spirally cut to increase its flexibility. A more flexible sheath covers the reduced thickness, distal portion of the relatively stiff tube to insure that the tubular member can hold pressure. A preferred flexible sheath or tube is constructed using a biaxially oriented polymer such as nylon or polyethylene.
-
Citations
12 Claims
-
1. A catheter for insertion into a subject comprising an elongated tubular member which extends from a proximal end to a distal end of said catheter and defines a passageway extending through said catheter from the proximal end to the distal end;
- said elongated tubular member including a first relatively stiff tube that is spirally cut along a distal portion to increase its flexibility and, includes an inner surface that defines said passageway and a second more flexible tube that covers the spirally cut distal portion of the stiff tube to make a distal portion of the elongated tubular member more flexible than a proximal portion of the elongated tubular member.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
-
6. A catheter for insertion into a subject comprising a central elongated tubular member which extends from a proximal end to a distal end of said catheter and defines a passageway extending through said catheter from the proximal end to the distal end;
- said elongated tubular member including a first relatively stiff plastic tube having an inner surface that defines said passageway and a second more flexible plastic tube in engagement with a distal portion of the stiff plastic tube, said distal portion having a reduced wall thickness and a reduced outer diameter to make the distal portion of the stiff plastic tube more flexible, a second, outer tubular member, and an inflatable balloon attached to an end of the outer tubular member, said balloon overlying a portion of said central elongated tubular member including the second more flexible plastic tube and wherein a distal end of the balloon is bonded to the second more flexible plastic tube of said central elongated tubular member.
- View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
-
9. A catheter for insertion into a subject comprising a central elongated tubular member which extends from a proximal end to a distal end of said catheter and defines a passageway extending through said catheter from the proximal end to the distal end;
- said elongated tubular member including a first relatively stiff plastic tube having an inner surface that defines said passageway and a second more flexible plastic tube in engagement with a distal portion of the stiff plastic tube, said distal portion having a reduced outer diameter to make said distal portion more flexible, a second, outer tubular member, and an inflatable balloon attached to an end of the outer tubular member, said balloon overlying a portion of said central elongated tubular member including the second more flexible plastic tube and wherein a distal end of the balloon is bonded to the more flexible plastic tube of said central elongated tubular member.
- View Dependent Claims (12)
- 10. The catheter of claim 10 wherein a distal portion of the stiff plastic tube covered by the more flexible plastic tube is cut with a spiralling cut.
Specification