Torqueable soft tip medical device and method of usage

• US 8,449,526 B2
• Filed: 12/06/2007
• Issued: 05/28/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Snyder, Edward J., Davis, Clark C., Turnlund, Todd H.
• Primary Examiner(s): STIGELL, THEODORE J
• Application Number:
  US11/951,975
• Publication Number:
  US 20080077119A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,000 Days
• Field of Search: 604523-529
• US Class Current: 604/525
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0081 Soft tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/005 with embedded materials for reinforcement, e.g. wires, coils, braids
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0051 made from fenestrated or weakened tubing layer
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0052 Localized reinforcement, e.g. where only a specific part of the catheter is reinforced, for rapid exchange guidewire port
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0053 having a variable stiffness along the longitudinal axis, e.g. by varying the pitch of the coil or braid
• 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

Abstract

A medical device or intravascular device, and methods of use. The devices may be tubular and may have a flexible polymer tip. The body may be nitinol and may have cuts part way through along its length to facilitate bending. The device may have a liner which may extend through the tip or form the tip. The device may have markers readily visible on an X-ray viewer during insertion. The tip may have an anti-collapsing structure and may be shaped before use to perform a medical procedure such as treating an aneurysm. The device may have a strong fiber through it for complete removal. The method may include selecting the device, bending the tip, setting the shape, and inserting the device into the patient'"'"'s anatomy. The shape of the tip may be set by heating with steam and then removing a mandrel.

Claims

1. A catheter, comprising:

an elongate shaft having a proximal section and a distal section;

wherein the shaft includes an inner surface defining a lumen;

wherein a plurality of slots are formed in the distal section;

an elongate liner disposed in the shaft along the inner surface, wherein a distal portion of the liner extends distally from the distal section of the shaft; and

wherein the distal portion of the liner deflects radially outward to define a flared tip with an enlarged section that includes a radiopaque marker band.

2. The catheter of claim 1, further comprising a second liner disposed on an outer surface of the shaft.

3. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the slots extend part way through the shaft.

4. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the tip member is shapeable.

5. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the distal portion of the liner has a length and wherein the tip member extends along the entire length of the distal portion.

6. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the tip member is more flexible in bending than the distal section of the shaft.