Abstract: An apparatus and method for delivering diagnostic and therapeutic agents intravascularly in which the apparatus has a shape defined by a preset shape of a resilient fiber core. The resilient fiber core is covered by a soft polymer tubing or other polymer material to form a delivery apparatus that takes the shape of the resilient fiber core. Various shapes and structures are disclosed that infuse diagnostic and therapeutic agents through a lumen of the polymer tubing, that deliver the agents in the form of a soluble coating, and that circulate or contain a preloaded charge of radioactive material for intravascular radiotherapy. The resilient fiber core and soft polymer material permit the construction of a very small apparatus that can be removed easily following treatment. Various deployment systems are disclosed for deploying the delivery apparatuses into a vessel and for protecting against radiation exposure.

Abstract: This invention is a surgical device. In particular, it is a catheter suitable for accessing a tissue target within the body, typically a target which is accessible through the vascular system. Central to the invention is the use of a stiffener ribbon, typically metallic, wound within the catheter body in such a way as to create a catheter having controllable stiffness. The stiffener ribbon is adhesively bonded to a flexible outer tubing member so to produce a thin wall catheter section which is exceptionally flexible but highly kink resistant. The catheter sections made according to this invention may be used in conjunction with other catheter sections either using the concepts shown herein or made in other ways. Because of the effective strength and ability to retain a generally kink-free form, these catheters may be effectively used in sizes which are quite fine, e.g., 0.015" to 0.020" in diameter, and usable within typical vascular catheters.

Abstract: A balloon dilatation catheter is provided which has a stiff proximal cannula made of a material such as metal hypotubing. The distal end of the catheter includes an inflatable medical device balloon, an inflation lumen and a guidewire lumen. A coiled transition assembly is positioned between the proximal cannula and the distal end section. This coiled transition assembly has a tightly wound coil within a tube and provides for a flexible transition between the two components of diverse stiffness, namely the proximal cannula and the flexible distal end portion. The dilatation catheter typically has an easily or rapidly exchangeable feature and is used in conjunction with a guiding catheter. During a procedure when the catheters are within the vascular system, the coiled transition section of the dilatation catheter readily follows tightly curved portions of the inserted guiding catheterby.

Abstract: A catheter has a support segment which includes a plurality of support struts. Each of the struts has first and second ends longitudinally spaced apart along a longitudinal axis of the segment. The struts curve at least partially around the axis from the first ends to the second ends. The support struts include a first set and a second set. The struts of the first set extend around the axis in a clockwise direction. The struts of the second set extend around the axis in a counter-clockwise direction.

Abstract: A catheter includes a segment having a longitudinal axis. The segment has a helical coil extending coaxially with the longitudinal axis. The coil has a plurality of turns along a length of the axis. Adjacent turns have opposing surfaces joined by bridging members tying at least selected ones of the adjacent turns.

Abstract: This invention is a surgical device. In particular, this invention is directed to a multilumen catheter for accessing the vascular system of a body. The multilumen catheter includes a catheter shaft, at least a portion or which includes at least one lumen reinforced with a support member which may include a polymeric or metallic braid, coil or knit material. The reinforced lumen may further include a thin-walled liner or coating of lubricious material. The reinforced lumen may have a circular cross-section adapted to receive a guidewire. The interior surface of the reinforced lumen may have a smooth and continuous surface or a non-uniform surface.

Abstract: A conformable catheter comprising a catheter handle, an elongated catheter tube, and a distal tip portion of the catheter tube, capable of assuming a desired pre-programmed shape. A wire member is disposed within the core of the catheter's tip portion and is formed of a material, such as, for example, a shape-memory binary nickel-titanium alloy, that will assume a pre-programmed shape after pre-shaping, heat treatment, cooling and subsequent heating. To pre-program the shape of the wire member, prior to assembly of the catheter, the wire member is wound around a shaped, heat resistant fixture, heated until the temperature of the wire member exceeds the temperature at which the shape of the wire member on the fixture becomes programmed into the wire member, and cooled.

Abstract: A single segment catheter has a gradually changing flexibility from a distal to a proximal end of the catheter. According to one embodiment the catheter includes a plurality of strands within the catheter tube wall which change in diameter between the distal and proximal ends to achieve a catheter having a more flexible distal end and a continuously changing flexibility along the catheter length with no joints or distinct changes in flexibility.

Abstract: A medical catheter comprising a distal shaft having a greater flexibility than the proximal shaft. The proximal shaft has a helical end portion of reduced outer diameter which is integral with and extending from the distal end of the proximal shaft. The helical end portion slidingly fits within a portion of the proximal end of the distal shaft. The helical end portion is bonded to at least a portion of the distal shaft to form a fluid-tight seal. The pitch of the helical end portion may be constant or variable. The helical turns may be abutting or spaced apart. A guidewire shaft centrally extends longitudinally through the proximal and distal shaft such that fluid can be transmitted through the proximal and distal shaft, exterior to the guidewire shaft.

Abstract: This invention is a surgical device. In particular, it is a catheter suitable for accessing a tissue target within the body, typically a target which is accessible through the vascular system. Central to the invention is the use of at least pair of wound or counterwound reinforcing members situated within the wall of the catheter body in such a way to achieve a catheter having an exceptionally thin wall, excellent kink-resistance, and controlled stiffness.