Catheter with flexible tip and shape retention
First Claim
1. A guide catheter for steering a guidewire from a first body passage to a second, branched body passage having a diameter of not more than 4 mm, the guide catheter comprising:
- a catheter body defining a lumen; and
a reinforcement braid extending along the catheter body;
wherein the catheter defines;
a proximal section,an intermediate section extending from the proximal section and defining a longitudinal axis,a distal section extending from the intermediate section and forming a distal tip having an outer diameter sized for deployment within a body passage having a diameter of not more than 4 mm and capable of maintaining a curved shape relative to the longitudinal axis;
and further wherein the distal tip is characterized by a varying flexibility along a length thereof such that in the curved shape, the distal tip is configured to steer a guide wire from a first body passage to a second, branched body passage extending at an angle from the first body passage.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Reexamination
Accused Products
Abstract
An improved apparatus and method to catheterize passages is disclosed. The present invention provides a catheter having a soft flexible pre-formed distal tip, that when used in combination with commercially available guidewires of variable stiffness, results in the ability to control the direction and angle of wire advancement allowing cannulation of body passages, including those that arise at acute angles. The catheter can have a longitudinal axis, a proximal section and a distal section having a soft flexible pre-formed tip having a curvature of ninety degrees or greater and shape retention. The catheter can have an inner wall that defines a lumen that runs along said longitudinal axis forming a single continuous tube, a reinforcement braid disposed over the inner wall, and an outside covering disposed over the reinforcement braid. A spacer can be added between said wall liner and said reinforcement braid in the proximal end.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A guide catheter for steering a guidewire from a first body passage to a second, branched body passage having a diameter of not more than 4 mm, the guide catheter comprising:
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a catheter body defining a lumen; and a reinforcement braid extending along the catheter body; wherein the catheter defines; a proximal section, an intermediate section extending from the proximal section and defining a longitudinal axis, a distal section extending from the intermediate section and forming a distal tip having an outer diameter sized for deployment within a body passage having a diameter of not more than 4 mm and capable of maintaining a curved shape relative to the longitudinal axis; and further wherein the distal tip is characterized by a varying flexibility along a length thereof such that in the curved shape, the distal tip is configured to steer a guide wire from a first body passage to a second, branched body passage extending at an angle from the first body passage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A catheter for use in combination with a variable stiffness guidewire, comprising:
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a longitudinal axis, a proximal section and a distal section; said distal section comprising a soft flexible pre-formed curved portion in its distal end having a curvature of ninety degrees or greater and exhibiting varying flexibility along a length thereof and shape retention properties; said catheter having an inner wall that defines a lumen that runs along said longitudinal axis forming a single continuous tube, a reinforcement braid disposed over said inner wall, and an outside covering disposed over said reinforcement braid; said catheter proximal end further comprising a spacer disposed between said wall liner and said reinforcement braid; and said reinforcement braid doubled over the proximately two-thirds of the catheter.
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16. A catheter for use with a variable stiffness guidewire with a pre-formed curved distal tip, comprising:
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a catheter generally flexible to conform to vascular areas of a body, said catheter extending from a proximal end to a distal end; said catheter having a lumen therein, the lumen sized to receive a guidewire therein; the distal tip rotatable to different orientations by rotations of the proximal end of the catheter; and the distal tip having a pre-determined curvature in a natural state and characterized by a varying flexibility adapted to permit incremental bending of the distal tip by advancing the variable stiffness guidewire therethrough. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification