Microfabricated catheter with improved bonding structure
First Claim
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1. A medical device, comprising:
- an elongated tubular member having a length, an inner surface defining a lumen, a proximal end, and a distal end, the tubular member including a monolithic body having a length and including a plurality of slots formed therein;
a tubular liner disposed within the elongated tubular member, the liner having a length, an outer surface, and an inner surface defining a lumen, wherein the outer surface is spaced from the inner surface of the tubular member such that a space is defined therebetween;
a plurality of discrete bonding members disposed in the space and attaching the elongated tubular member to the tubular liner, wherein each of the plurality of bonding members is within 15 centimeters or less of an adjacent bonding member along the length of the tubular member;
wherein the plurality of discrete bonding members include a weld, adhesive bond, braze, crimp, solder bond, epoxy bond, bonding substance, thermal bond, or combinations thereof that fixedly attach the elongated tubular member to the tubular liner;
wherein a first group of bonding members are disposed along a first portion of the liner to provide the medical device with a first flexibility, the first group of bonding members including a pair of bonding members disposed opposite each other at a first longitudinal position along the liner and a second group of bonding members are disposed along a second portion of the liner, the second group of bonding members having a different number of bonding members from the first group of bonding members, the second group of bonding members including three or more bonding members that are equally spaced about the liner at a second longitudinal position along the liner different from the first longitudinal position so as to provide the medical device with a second flexibility different from the first flexibility; and
wherein the number of bonding members per unit length decreases along the length of the liner and forms a smooth transition between the first flexibility and the second flexibility.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Medical devices and methods for making and using the same. An example medical device may include a tubular member and a liner disposed within the tubular member. The tubular member may have a plurality of slots formed therein. A space may be defined between the tubular member and the liner. One or more bonding members may be disposed in the space.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A medical device, comprising:
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an elongated tubular member having a length, an inner surface defining a lumen, a proximal end, and a distal end, the tubular member including a monolithic body having a length and including a plurality of slots formed therein; a tubular liner disposed within the elongated tubular member, the liner having a length, an outer surface, and an inner surface defining a lumen, wherein the outer surface is spaced from the inner surface of the tubular member such that a space is defined therebetween; a plurality of discrete bonding members disposed in the space and attaching the elongated tubular member to the tubular liner, wherein each of the plurality of bonding members is within 15 centimeters or less of an adjacent bonding member along the length of the tubular member; wherein the plurality of discrete bonding members include a weld, adhesive bond, braze, crimp, solder bond, epoxy bond, bonding substance, thermal bond, or combinations thereof that fixedly attach the elongated tubular member to the tubular liner; wherein a first group of bonding members are disposed along a first portion of the liner to provide the medical device with a first flexibility, the first group of bonding members including a pair of bonding members disposed opposite each other at a first longitudinal position along the liner and a second group of bonding members are disposed along a second portion of the liner, the second group of bonding members having a different number of bonding members from the first group of bonding members, the second group of bonding members including three or more bonding members that are equally spaced about the liner at a second longitudinal position along the liner different from the first longitudinal position so as to provide the medical device with a second flexibility different from the first flexibility; and wherein the number of bonding members per unit length decreases along the length of the liner and forms a smooth transition between the first flexibility and the second flexibility. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A medical device, comprising:
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an elongated tubular member having an inner surface defining a lumen, a proximal end, and a distal end, the tubular member including a monolithic body having a length and including a plurality of slots formed therein; a tubular liner disposed within at least a portion of the elongated tubular member such that the tubular member overlaps the liner along an overlapping portion having a length, the liner having an outer surface, and an inner surface defining a lumen, wherein the outer surface of the tubular liner is spaced from the inner surface of the elongated tubular member along the overlapping portion such that a space is defined therebetween; and a plurality of discrete, axially discontinuous bonding members disposed in the space and attaching the elongated tubular member to the tubular liner, wherein the plurality of bonding members are disposed such that there is at least one bonding member at intervals of 15 centimeters or less along the entire length of the overlapping portion; wherein the plurality of discrete bonding members physically, chemically, or both physically and chemically bond the elongated tubular member to the tubular liner; wherein at least some of the bonding members extend only partially circumferentially about the liner; wherein a first group of bonding members is defined that includes two or more bonding members that extend only partially circumferentially about the liner and are disposed at the same longitudinal position along the length of the liner; and wherein the bonding members decrease in frequency along the length of the liner so as to define a smooth transition in flexibility of the medical device along the length of the liner. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification