Spring assembly for catheter

• US 5,573,522 A
• Filed: 09/14/1995
• Issued: 11/12/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: EP Technology (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: EP Technology (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Houser, Russell A., Thompson, Russell B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Green, Randall L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): VANOVER, PERRY
• Application Number:
  US08/528,254
• Time in Patent Office: 425 Days
• Field of Search: 604/280-282, 604/264, 604/164-170, 604/96-103
• US Class Current: 604/526
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/09191 made of twisted wires
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0041 pre-formed, e.g. specially adapted to fit with the anatomy of body channels urethral catheters A61F2/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0133 Tip steering devices

Abstract

A catheter having a proximal portion and a distal portion terminating in a distal tip, is provided with a spring assembly contained within its distal tip portion for providing a bias against side to side deflection of said distal tip. The assembly preferably includes a central wire having a first diameter, which central wire extends from the proximal portion of the catheter to the distal portion, and a plurality of wires secured to the central wire adjacent the distal end thereof. Each of the wires is stranded together, preferably twisted helically, around the central wire and preferably has a second diameter substantially smaller than the first diameter. Alternatively, the stranded wires can be attached along and parallel to the larger diameter wire, and the latter wire is of a substantially greater length than the stranded wires.

Claims

1. A catheter having a proximal portion and a distal portion terminating in a distal tip, and at least one interior lumen extending axially therethrough,

a spring assembly contained within said lumen in said distal portion, said spring assembly providing a bias for return of said distal portion, if deflected, to a preselected orientation,

said assembly comprising a plurality of stranded elongated wires positioned axially within said distal portion.

2. A catheter according to claim 1 wherein said wires comprise a metal.

3. A catheter according to claim 2 wherein said wires comprise stainless steel.

4. A catheter having a proximal portion and a distal portion terminating in a distal tip, a spring assembly contained within said distal tip portion for providing a bias against side to side deflection of said distal tip,

said assembly comprising a central wire having a first diameter, said central wire extending from said proximal portion of said catheter to said distal portion, and a plurality of wires secured to said central wire adjacent the distal end thereof,

each of said wires being twisted helically around said central wire and having a second diameter substantially smaller than said first diameter.

5. A catheter according to claim 4 wherein said spring assembly is curved into a preselected radius of curvature.