Catheter with an improved flexural rigidity profile
First Claim
1. A catheter, comprising:
- a tubular member having a longitudinal axis and having a lumen defined therein;
wherein the tubular member has a plurality of slots formed therein;
wherein the tubular member includes a variably spaced slot section that has a flexural rigidity that varies from a first flexural rigidity to a second flexural rigidity, and wherein the transition from the first flexural rigidity to the second flexural rigidity is a function of a fourth order equation;
wherein the first flexural rigidity is in the range of about 1×
10−
6 to about 9×
10−
5 lbs-inches2; and
wherein the second flexural rigidity is in the range of about 1×
10−
3 to about 5×
10−
3 lbs-inches2.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Medical devices and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. An example medical device may include a guidewire. The guidewire may include a core wire having a distal portion. A tubular member may be disposed over the distal portion. The tubular member may have a plurality of slots formed therein and may have a longitudinal axis. The tubular member may include a variably spaced slot section that has a flexural rigidity that varies from a first flexural rigidity to a second flexural rigidity. The transition from the first flexural rigidity to the second flexural rigidity may be a function of a fourth power equation. The first flexural rigidity may be in the range of about 1×10−6 to about 9×10−5 lbs-inches2. The second flexural rigidity may be in the range of about 1×10−3 to about 5×10−3 lbs-inches2.
420 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A catheter, comprising:
-
a tubular member having a longitudinal axis and having a lumen defined therein; wherein the tubular member has a plurality of slots formed therein; wherein the tubular member includes a variably spaced slot section that has a flexural rigidity that varies from a first flexural rigidity to a second flexural rigidity, and wherein the transition from the first flexural rigidity to the second flexural rigidity is a function of a fourth order equation; wherein the first flexural rigidity is in the range of about 1×
10−
6 to about 9×
10−
5 lbs-inches2; andwherein the second flexural rigidity is in the range of about 1×
10−
3 to about 5×
10−
3 lbs-inches2. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A catheter, comprising:
-
a super-elastic nickel-titanium tubular member having a longitudinal axis and having a lumen defined therein; wherein the tubular member has a plurality of slots formed therein; wherein the tubular member includes a variably spaced slot section that has a flexural rigidity that varies from a first flexural rigidity to a second flexural rigidity, and wherein the transition from the first flexural rigidity to the second flexural rigidity is a function of a fourth order equation; wherein the first flexural rigidity is in the range of about 1×
10−
6 to about 9×
10−
5 lbs-inches2; andwherein the second flexural rigidity is in the range of about 1×
10−
3 to about 5×
10−
3 lbs-inches2. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
-
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20. A method for manufacturing a catheter, comprising:
-
forming a first slot in a tubular member at a first position along a longitudinal axis of the tubular member; forming a second slot in the tubular member at a second position along the longitudinal axis; forming a plurality of additional slots in the tubular member at a plurality of positions along the longitudinal axis; and wherein the first slot, the second slot, and the plurality of additional slots are variably spaced along the longitudinal axis so as to define a variably spaced slot section wherein the tubular member includes a variably spaced slot section that has a flexural rigidity that varies from a first flexural rigidity to a second flexural rigidity, wherein the transition from the first flexural rigidity to the second flexural rigidity is a function of a fourth order equation, wherein the first flexural rigidity is in the range of about 1×
10−
6 to about 9×
10−
5 lbs-inches2, and wherein the second flexural rigidity is in the range of about 1×
10−
3 to about 5×
10−
3 lbs-inches2.
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Specification