Flexible tubular device for use in medical applications

• US 5,573,520 A
• Filed: 10/26/1994
• Issued: 11/12/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mayo Foundation For Medical Education And Research (Mayo Clinic)
• Original Assignee: Mayo Foundation For Medical Education And Research (Mayo Clinic)
• Inventors: Halverson, Frederick S., Schwartz, Robert S., Berry, David, Holmes, David R., Donadio, James V. III
• Primary Examiner(s): YASKO JR, JOHN D
• Application Number:
  US08/329,691
• Time in Patent Office: 748 Days
• Field of Search: 604/264, 604/280, 604/282, 604/164, 604/167, 604/169, 604/170, 128/656-658, 128/772
• US Class Current: 604/526
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/09066 having a coil without a core possibly combined with a sheath
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/091 having a lumen for drug delivery or suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0013 Weakening parts of a catheter tubing, e.g. by making cuts in the tube or reducing thickness of a layer at one point to adjust the flexibility
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0043 characterised by structural features
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0051 made from fenestrated or weakened tubing layer
• 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 25/0662 Guide tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/09 Guide wires
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 41/20 incorporating preformed parts or layers, e.g. moulding inserts or for coating articles
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/09 Articles with cross-sections having partially or fully enclosed cavities, e.g. pipes or channels
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/10 flexible, e.g. blown foils
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/153 Coating both inner and outer surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2023/001 Tubular films, sleeves
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/7542 Catheters
• CPC Class Codes: C23F 1/02 Local etching

Abstract

An apparatus for use as a catheter, a guidewire, a catheter sheath for use with catheter introducers or a drug infusion catheter/guidewire. The apparatus includes a flexible tubular member with an encasing covering the tubular member that creates a fluid-tight seal around the periphery of the tubular member. The tubular member is self-supporting and includes a plurality of apertures therein in a predetermined configuration to increase the flexibility of the tubular member.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use as a biocompatible medical device for insertion into vessels of the body comprising:

a) a self-supporting tube having a plurality of apertures formed therein to increase the flexibility of the tube; and

b) an encasing covering the tube so as to provide a fluid-tight seal.

2. An apparatus for use as a biocompatible medical device according to claim 1, wherein the tube is made of metal and the encasing is made of a biocompatible low-friction material.

3. An apparatus for use as a biocompatible medical device according to claim 2, wherein the metal is stainless steel.

4. An apparatus for use as a biocompatible medical device according to claim 2, wherein the metal is nitinol.

5. An apparatus for use as a biocompatible medical device according to claim 1, wherein the tube includes an inner wall which is coated with a biocompatible low-friction material.

6. An apparatus for use as a biocompatible medical device according to claim 1, wherein the configuration of the apertures is varied longitudinally so as to vary the longitudinal and torsional flexibility characteristics along the tube.

7. An apparatus for use as a biocompatible medical device according to claim 1, wherein the depth of the apertures is varied longitudinally so as to vary the longitudinal and torsional flexibility characteristics along the tube.

8. An apparatus for use as a biocompatible medical device according to claim 1, wherein the apertures extend completely through the tube.

9. An apparatus for use as a biocompatible medical device according to claim 1, wherein the apertures include transverse slots.

10. An apparatus for use as a biocompatible medical device according to claim 1, wherein the apertures include longitudinal slots.

11. An apparatus for use as a biocompatible medical device according to claim 1, wherein the tube is continuous.

12. An apparatus for use as a biocompatible medical device according to claim 1, wherein the biocompatible medical device is a catheter.

13. An apparatus for use as a biocompatible medical device according to claim 1, wherein the biocompatible medical device is a catheter sheath.

14. An apparatus for use as a biocompatible medical device according to claim 1, wherein the biocompatible medical device is a catheter sheath introducer.

15. An apparatus for use as a biocompatible medical device according to claim 1, wherein the biocompatible medical device is a guidewire.

16. An apparatus for use as a biocompatible medical device according to claim 1, wherein the biocompatible medical device is a fixed core guidewire.

17. An apparatus for use as a biocompatible medical device according to claim 1, wherein the biocompatible medical device is a balloon catheter.

18. An apparatus for use as a biocompatible medical device for insertion into vessels of the body comprising:

a) a self-supporting tube having a longitudinally extending spiraled aperture cut therein to increase the flexibility of the tube; and

b) an encasing covering the tube so as to provide for a fluid-tight seal.