Flow-directed catheter
First Claim
1. A blood-flow directable catheter constructed of materials and having size and flexibility such that said blood-flow directable is directable to a target site within the vasculature of the human body by blood flow within that vasculature which blood-flow directable catheter comprises an elongate tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end, a length between said proximal end and a distal end, said elongate tubular member comprising:
- a.) a distal segment made of a thermoplastic polymer having a modulus of elasticity which renders said distal segment relatively more flexible than both an intermediate segment and a proximal segment, b.) an intermediate segment made of a thermoplastic polymer having a modulus of elasticity which renders said intermediate segment relatively more flexible than said proximal segment and less flexible than said distal segment and wherein said intermediate segment has a relatively constant diameter, c.) a proximal segment comprising a thermoplastic polymer having a modulus of elasticity which renders said proximal segment relatively less flexible than said intermediate segment and said distal segment and wherein said proximal segment has a relatively constant diameter, d.) a tapered joint joining said intermediate segment and said proximal segment, and e.) a tapered joint joining said intermediate segment and said distal segment.
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Accused Products
Abstract
This invention is to a minimally invasive surgical device. In particular, the invention relates to an infusion catheter which may be used in cardiovascular and endovascular procedures to deliver diagnostic, therapeutic, or vasoocclusive agents to a target site accessible through the vasculature. The device is a flow-directed infusion catheter having a variety of sections of different flexibilities with tapered junctions between those sections. The inventive catheter is directed to that target site by a flow of blood to the site.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. A blood-flow directable catheter constructed of materials and having size and flexibility such that said blood-flow directable is directable to a target site within the vasculature of the human body by blood flow within that vasculature which blood-flow directable catheter comprises an elongate tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end, a length between said proximal end and a distal end, said elongate tubular member comprising:
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a.) a distal segment made of a thermoplastic polymer having a modulus of elasticity which renders said distal segment relatively more flexible than both an intermediate segment and a proximal segment, b.) an intermediate segment made of a thermoplastic polymer having a modulus of elasticity which renders said intermediate segment relatively more flexible than said proximal segment and less flexible than said distal segment and wherein said intermediate segment has a relatively constant diameter, c.) a proximal segment comprising a thermoplastic polymer having a modulus of elasticity which renders said proximal segment relatively less flexible than said intermediate segment and said distal segment and wherein said proximal segment has a relatively constant diameter, d.) a tapered joint joining said intermediate segment and said proximal segment, and e.) a tapered joint joining said intermediate segment and said distal segment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification