Intraluminal catheter with a composite shaft
First Claim
1. A fixed-wire dilatation catheter for performing angioplasty procedures within a patient'"'"'s arterial system comprising:
- a) a catheter shaft of braided composite construction having an inflation port in a distal portion thereof which has be formed by;
braiding into a tubular structure a plurality of the compressible, multifilament strands which have dispersed therein a relatively low melting point polymeric matrix material,subjecting the braided tubular structure to sufficient heat to form a molten polymer matrix from the low melting point polymeric matrix material dispersed within the multifilament strands, andcooling the molten polymer matrix to a temperature below the melting point thereof;
b) a shapeable guide member which is secured to the distal end of the catheter shaft; and
c) an inflatable member having proximal and distal ends with the proximal end being bonded to the catheter shaft at a location proximal to the inflation port and the distal end sealed about the shapeable guide member which extends therethrough.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A composite tubular element for intravascular catheters, such as fixed-wire dilatation catheters and guiding and angiographic catheters, which is formed by braiding strands formed from an intimate mixture of polymeric matrix materials, such as fibers and powders, having a relatively low melting point and high strength reinforcing fibers having a relatively high melting point into a tubular element, heating the braided tubular element to melt the low melting point matrix materials and flow around the reinforcing fibers to form a matrix. A thermoplastic jacket or coating may then be extruded or otherwise applied to the exterior of the braided tubular element.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A fixed-wire dilatation catheter for performing angioplasty procedures within a patient'"'"'s arterial system comprising:
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a) a catheter shaft of braided composite construction having an inflation port in a distal portion thereof which has be formed by; braiding into a tubular structure a plurality of the compressible, multifilament strands which have dispersed therein a relatively low melting point polymeric matrix material, subjecting the braided tubular structure to sufficient heat to form a molten polymer matrix from the low melting point polymeric matrix material dispersed within the multifilament strands, and cooling the molten polymer matrix to a temperature below the melting point thereof; b) a shapeable guide member which is secured to the distal end of the catheter shaft; and c) an inflatable member having proximal and distal ends with the proximal end being bonded to the catheter shaft at a location proximal to the inflation port and the distal end sealed about the shapeable guide member which extends therethrough. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of forming a small diameter flexible composite shaft, comprising:
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a) braiding into a tubular structure a plurality of the compressible, multifilament strands which have dispersed therein a relatively low melting point polymeric matrix material; b) subjecting the braided tubular structure to sufficient heat to form a molten polymer matrix from the low melting point polymeric matrix material dispersed within the multifilament strands; and c) cooling the molten polymer matrix to a temperature below the melting point thereof. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A composite flexible small diameter tubular member comprising a relatively low melting point thermoplastic polymer matrix with braided high strength polymeric reinforcing strands disposed within the matrix, said tubular structure having been formed by,
a) braiding into a tubular structure a plurality of the compressible, multifilament strands which have dispersed therein a relatively low melting point polymeric matrix material; -
b) subjecting the braided tubular structure to sufficient heat to form a molten polymer matrix from the low melting point polymeric matrix material dispersed within the multifilament strands; and c) cooling the molten polymer matrix to a temperature below the melting point thereof. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17. A balloon catheter for performing diagnostic or therapeutic procedures within a patient'"'"'s body lumen, comprising:
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a) an elongated catheter shaft having proximal and distal ends and having outer tubular member with a braided composite construction with an inflation port in a distal portion thereof; b) a shapable guide member which is secured to the distal end of the catheter shaft; and c) an inflatable member having proximal and distal ends with the proximal end of the inflatable member being bonded to the catheter shaft at a location proximal to the inflation port and with the distal end sealed about the shapable guide member which extends therethrough. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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18. A guiding or angiography catheter for performing diagnostic or therapeutic procedures within a patient'"'"'s arterial system comprising a catheter shaft of braided composite construction and formed of a relatively low melting point polymeric matrix with braided high strength reinforcing polymeric strands disposed within the matrix, said catheter having been formed by;
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a) braiding into a tubular structure a plurality of the compressible, multifilament strands which have dispersed therein a relatively low melting point polymeric matrix material; b) subjecting the braided tubular structure to sufficient heat to form a molten polymer matrix from the low melting point polymeric matrix material dispersed within the multifilament strands; and c) cooling the molten polymer matrix to a temperature below the melting point thereof.
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Specification