Microcatheter
First Claim
1. A catheter for negotiating small, tortuous vessels comprising:
- an elongate flexible body having a tubular wall and at least one lumen extending axially therethrough;
a first tubular element in the wall, extending axially through the body and terminating in a first distal zone;
a second tubular element in the wall, extending axially through the body and terminating in a second distal zone;
wherein each of the first and second tubular elements is provided with a spiral cut in each of the first and second distal zones.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is an elongate flexible microcatheter, for diagnostic and or therapeutic applications. The microcatheter is provided with a small outside diameter and high degree of flexibility, to facilitate negotiation of small, tortuous vessels such as those encountered in intercranial catheterizations. The catheter is formed from a composite of a series of tubular elements, each extending axially for a different distance along the tubular body. A distal section on one or more of the tubular components is provided with a spiral cut, to modify the flexibility properties of the finished catheter. The catheter may also be provided with an inflatable balloon, and a valve to permit the use of a single lumen for both receiving a guidewire and for conveying inflation media.
352 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A catheter for negotiating small, tortuous vessels comprising:
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an elongate flexible body having a tubular wall and at least one lumen extending axially therethrough; a first tubular element in the wall, extending axially through the body and terminating in a first distal zone; a second tubular element in the wall, extending axially through the body and terminating in a second distal zone; wherein each of the first and second tubular elements is provided with a spiral cut in each of the first and second distal zones. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of manufacturing a highly flexible small diameter catheter, comprising the steps of:
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providing an elongate first tubular element having a distal zone in which the tubular element is provided with a first spiral cut; positioning a spring coil coaxially around the outside of the first tubular element, said spring coil extending distally from the proximal end of the catheter to a point spaced apart proximally from the distal end of the first tubular element; providing a second tubular element having a proximal solid wall zone and a distal spiral cut zone; positioning the second tubular element coaxially around the spring coil to produce a catheter subassembly, such that the second tubular element extends from the proximal end of the catheter to a point which is proximal to the distal end of said spring coil; positioning an outer tubular jacket around the outside of the subassembly formed by said first and second tubular elements and said spring coil; and radially reducing the outer tubular jacket to form a highly flexible small diameter catheter.
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Specification