Joined metal tubing and method of manufacture

• US 7,785,317 B2
• Filed: 03/29/2006
• Issued: 08/31/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Codman & Shurtleff Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Codman & Shurtleff Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Mitelberg, Vladimir
• Primary Examiner(s): Sirmons; Kevin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): GRAY, PHILLIP A
• Application Number:
  US11/391,740
• Publication Number:
  US 20070233039A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,616 Days
• Field of Search: 604523-532, 604 9501- 9505, 604/96.01, 604/164.01
• US Class Current: 604/523
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/09108 Methods for making a guide wire
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0915 having features for changing the stiffness
• 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 25/0054 with regions for increasing flexibility
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0138 having flexible regions as a result of weakened outer material, e.g. slots, slits, cuts, joints or coils
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/09 Guide wires

Abstract

A generally hollow article for use as or incorporation within a medical instrument navigable through body vessels of a human subject is provided. The article is defined by two metal pieces, such as nitinol and stainless steel, having different performance characteristics. At least a portion of the two pieces are arranged into an alternating pattern and joined together to define a joint or junction. The two pieces may each be provided as a tube having a spiral-cut section that is configured to be intermeshed with the spiral-cut section of the other metal. The article may also include a radiopaque material for improved placement within the body, which material may also be provided as a tube with a spiral-cut section to be intermeshed and joined with the first and second pieces.

Claims

1. A hollow tubular article for a medical device adapted to be received by a body vessel, comprising:

a first hollow tube piece substantially comprised of a first metal, said first hollow tube piece is a first tube of said first metal, the first tube having a solid tube section and a first spiral cut-out section;

a second hollow tube piece substantially comprised of a second metal, said second hollow tube piece is a second tube of said second metal, the second tube having a solid tube section and a second spiral cut-out section, wherein the first spiral cut-out section and the second spiral cut-out section define a spiral space therebetween;

said first metal is different from and more flexible at human body temperature than said second metal;

a third hollow piece substantially comprised of a radiopaque material, said third hollow piece being within said spiral space such that the first spiral cut-out section, the second spiral cut-out section and the third hollow piece within the spiral space form a joint longitudinally between the first hollow tube piece and the second hollow tube piece;

said first and second spiral cut-out sections have substantially identical outer diameters and substantially identical inner diameters, said third hollow piece has an outer diameter no greater than said outer diameter of the cut-out sections, and said third hollow piece has an inner diameter no smaller than said inner diameter of the cut-out sections;

the joint further includes a shrink tubing along said spiral cut-out sections and said third hollow piece, and the shrink tubing adheres together the first and second hollow tube pieces so as to seal together the first and second cut-out sections along with said third hollow piece.

2. The article of claim 1, wherein said first metal has superelastic properties.

3. The article of claim 1, wherein said first metal is a nitinol material.

4. The article of claim 1, wherein said first metal is a nitiriol material and said second metal is stainless steel.