Abstract: The disclosure is directed to tubular bodies for catheters. An inner tubular catheter body has an inner layer, a braided portion over the inner layer and an outer layer. The outer layer is fused to the braided portion for a selected length or lengths of the inner tubular body and is unfused for a selected length or lengths to achieve the desired combination of stiffness and flexibility.

Abstract: A reinforced catheter or sheath includes an inner tube manufactured via an extrusion process from a mixture of thermoplastic and hollow glass beads. The resultant tube exhibits an inner goose bump surface that defines a central lumen. A reinforcement, such as a braid and/or coil is attached to at least a segment of the outer surface of the inner tube. A second tube of thermoplastic is extruded over at least a portion of the reinforcement. The inner goose bump surface exhibits a net low coefficient of friction comparable to that of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

Abstract: An intravascular catheter that exhibits the combined features of superior flexibility, softness, radiopacity and oval/kink resistance. The catheter includes an elongate shaft having a proximal region, a distal region and a lumen extending therethrough. The proximal region of the shaft includes an inner lubricious polymer layer, a reinforcement layer and an outer layer. The reinforcement layer comprises a braid having one or more metallic members and a plurality of polymer members wherein each polymer member comprises a plurality of monofilaments, preferably formed of LCP. The polymer members of the braid provide improved flexibility and softness in addition to high burst pressure. The metallic member(s) of the braid provide improved radiopacity and oval/kink resistance. The catheter may also include a longitudinal member extending along the reinforcement layer.

Abstract: In a method and device for mounting an elongated member inside an elongated, elastic, flexible tubing, initially having an inside cross-sectional dimension that is approximately equal to or less than the outside cross-sectional dimension of the elongated member, the inner cross-sectional dimension of the flexible tubing is expanded by applying a pressurized fluid to the inner bore of the tubing, and inserting the elongated member into the tubing while the pressurized fluid is being applied.

Abstract: A hybrid microguide catheter and method for making and using the same. The catheter may include a first tubular member and a second tubular member. The tubular members may be arranged so that the second tubular member extends distally beyond the first tubular member. Alternatively, the catheter may include a tubular body having a first opening and a second opening. The first opening may be positioned along the tubular body a distance from the second opening.

Abstract: Composite catheter braids can be formed from a plurality of filaments, some of which can include significant amounts of molybdenum. Filaments including stainless steel and other materials can be used in combination with filaments including molybdenum. Individual filaments can be composed of single metals, or can represent alloys. Composite catheter braids can be employed in intravascular catheters.

Abstract: Provided is a medical tube that is capable of preventing thrombi from adhering to the inside of a side hole thereof such that a required and sufficient opening area of the side hole is maintained, as well as of preventing a kink from being generated in, e.g., a catheter using the medical tube with the side hole. A side hole is provided through a side surface of a catheter body. A strand of a braid member in the vicinity of the side hole is covered with a resinous protective resin portion, thus being kept from exposure at the inner peripheral surface of the side hole.

Abstract: A catheter comprising an elongate tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a passageway defining a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends. The elongate tubular member comprises a relatively stiff proximal section and a relatively flexible distal section. The proximal section includes an inner tubular liner, a first stiffener comprising a metal alloy, and a second stiffener comprising a non-metal alloy. The first and second stiffeners are coaxially wound exterior to the proximal inner liner. The distal section includes a distal inner tubular liner and the second stiffener coaxially wound exterior to the distal inner liner. The first stiffener terminates before reaching the distal section.

Abstract: A medical device delivery system and method of manufacture that includes an outer catheter, a first inner catheter insertable through the outer catheter, and a second inner catheter insertable through the first inner catheter and adapted to receive a guidewire extending there through. The first inner catheter includes a braided reinforcement layer and is adapted to receive an elongated medical device extending there through.

Abstract: An active suture that can be used for the delivery of therapeutic fluids to the tissue surrounding a wound is disclosed. The active suture may include a connector designed to join a fluid source, such as a syringe, conventional IV delivery system, or infusion pump to an internal passageway that is embedded within a braided suture. The internal passageway may be comprised of a fine polymeric tube and is capable of conducting and emitting a fluid into at least a portion of the braided suture and surrounding tissue. The invention enables delivery of an efficacious volume of drug bearing solution on the order of milliliters per day, provides a high level of fluid delivery rate control enabling the physician to start or stop drug administration at his/her discretion, and offers a means of providing more than one type of medication that may be selected post-surgically in accord with unexpected patient symptoms that may arise.

Abstract: A catheter device having an elongated tubular member with a proximal end and a distal end, and a needle disposed near the distal end. In one embodiment, the needle has a rigid, penetrating tip coupled to a flexible portion by an overlapping joint. The flexible portion enables the needle to bend to a penetrating angle relative to the distal end of the elongated tubular member and penetrate a body tissue without kinking.

Abstract: Medical devices and delivery systems for delivering medical devices to a target location within a subject. In some embodiments the medical devices can be locked in a fully deployed and locked configuration. In some embodiments the delivery systems are configured with a single actuator to control the movement of multiple components of the delivery system. In some embodiments the actuator controls the independent and dependent movement of multiple components of the delivery system.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a braid-reinforced peelable tubular body is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the method includes: providing a braided tubular body; forming at least one longitudinally extending slit in tho braided tubular body, resulting in a longitudinally slit braided tubular body, the at least one longitudinally extending slit including slit edges and a severed braid layer of the braided tubular body; placing the longitudinally slit braided tubular body on a mandrel; placing a heat shrink tube about the longitudinally slit braided tubular body; subjecting the heat shrink tube and longitudinally slit braided tubular body to bonding conditions, such as, for example, reflow, laser bonding, thermoforming, etc., thereby causing the slit edges to be joined to each other and resulting in a braid-reinforced peelable tubular body; and removing the braid-reinforced peelable tubular body from the mandrel.

Abstract: Catheters such as guide catheters can be configured for delivery of devices to vasculature portions such as intracranial spaces while retaining a desired level of flexibility. A catheter having an elongate shaft can include removable support means that can provide column support to the elongate shaft. The elongate shaft can include anchoring means that releasably secure the removable support means. The catheter can be deployed within a patient's vasculature, followed by deploying the removable support means.

Abstract: The instant invention relates generally to introducer catheters used to help deliver catheters or other medical devices to locations within the human body. In particular, the instant invention relates to large diameter introducer catheters (introducer catheters with lumens greater than about 6 French) having increased strength, flexibility, and kink resistance. Introducer catheters according to the teachings herein may also include curved distal ends and flared (that is, funnel-like) transition sections within their lumens.

Abstract: A medical device shaft for connection with a handle and for insertion within a body includes an elongated, deflectable shaft having a proximal shaft portion, an intermediate shaft portion, and a distal shaft portion. The elongated, deflectable shaft includes a transition in stiffness from the proximal shaft portion to the distal shaft portion. In a preferred implementation, the shaft includes a plurality of slits that extend perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the shaft. Varying at least one of the number of slits, the location of slits, the frequency of slits, the orientation of the slits, the size of the slits, and the depth of the slits varies the transition of stiffness.

Abstract: A catheter comprising an outer shaft comprising a first section of electroactive polymer. The first section of electroactive polymer affecting either the flexibility of the catheter or the steerability of the catheter.

Abstract: A catheter comprises an elongate tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end, and a deflectable tip at the distal end of the elongate tubular member. The deflectable tip comprises a first helical coil having a first diameter and a second helical coil having a second diameter, the first diameter being larger than the second diameter. The first and second helical coils are arranged in the manner of a double helix. When viewed in cross-section, the first helical coil and the second helical coil are aligned at a first point on a circumference of each coil and misaligned at a second point on the circumference of each coil, where the second point is approximately 180 degrees from the first point. In certain embodiments the catheter further includes a dilatation balloon. Methods of use for crossing a chronic total occlusion are also described.

Abstract: Medical devices, medical device components, and methods of making the same. For example, one embodiment provides a method of making a reinforcing member adapted and configured for use in a medical device. The method includes providing one or more structural elements adapted and configured for creating the reinforcing member, the one or more structural elements including a surface having a portion with an initial surface area, and treating at least the portion of the surface of the one or more structural elements to provide a final surface area that is greater than the initial surface area. The one or more structural elements are used in creating the reinforcing member. The reinforcing member can then be incorporated into the structure of the medical device.

Abstract: An intracorporeal catheter, such as a guiding catheter, employed for intraluminal procedures is disclosed. The catheter generally has an elongated catheter shaft including a polymeric inner layer and a non-radiopaque outer polymeric layer, along with a radiopaque reinforcing structure disposed between the inner and outer layers. In one embodiment, the reinforcing layer consists of multiple drawn filled tubes braided or wound together. The drawn filled tubes may have a stainless steel outer jacket clad over a radiopaque inner core, or the drawn filled tubes may have a radiopaque outer jacket clad over a stainless steel core. In another embodiment, the reinforcing layer may consist of multiple wires containing radiopaque alloys braided or wound together, wherein at least two of the wires consist of different radiopaque alloys. The strands of the reinforcing structure may have a circular or a rectangular transverse cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: The catheter is positioned within an obstruction so that the distal end is positioned distal to the obstruction and proximal openings are positioned proximal to the obstruction. Blood enters the proximal openings and passes through the lumen to the distal end to perfuse blood distal to the obstruction.

Abstract: A catheter body includes a hollow coil whose outer and inner surfaces are coated with outer and inner resin layers. A resin tip is provided at a distal end of the catheter body. The tip has a tapered section at a distal end of the tip. Also, an axially extending braid is embedded in the catheter body and the tip to extend from the catheter body to the tip.

Abstract: A guide catheter shaft is formed from an inner tube structure and a multilayer sheath around the inner tube structure. The multilayer sheath includes an intermediate sheath and a shrink tube layer. The intermediate sheath is disposed around the inner tube and realized from a melt-processible first polyether-block amide material. The shrink tube layer is disposed around the intermediate sheath and realized from a different second polyether-block amide (e.g. a cross-linked polyether-block amide material) having a shrink temperature range greater than a melt temperature range of the first polyether-block amide material. The resulting structure is heated at a temperature within the shrink temperature range such that the outer shrink tube layer shrinks and the intermediate layer melts to thereby bond the multilayer sheath to the inner tube.

Abstract: A catheter tube for medical use includes an inner resin layer, a reinforcing material layer located on the inner resin layer and an outer resin layer located on the reinforcing material layer. The reinforcing material layer is composed of twisted yarns. Thus, it is possible to provide a catheter tube for medical use that has excellent shape recovery (memory) properties after the formation of a kink or a puncture and flexibility at the front edge.

Abstract: An introducer sheath has an inner liner having a first length comprising a major diameter, a second length comprising a minor diameter, and a tapered third length axially disposed between the first and second lengths. A coil is positioned over the inner liner and spans at least a portion of each of the first, second, and third lengths. An outer jacket is positioned longitudinally around the reinforcing member and the inner liner, and is bonded to the outer surface of the inner liner. The outer jacket has a first length comprising a major diameter, a second length comprising a minor diameter, and a tapered third length axially disposed between the first and second lengths. The outer diameter first, second, and third lengths substantially correspond to and are disposed radially outwardly of the respective inner liner first, second, and third lengths.

Abstract: An introducer sheath for deploying a stent to a target site within a body passageway of a patient. The introducer sheath includes a tubular inner liner having a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an outer surface. A first reinforcing element, and a second reinforcing element are positioned along the outer surface of the inner liner. The first reinforcing element comprises a braid the second reinforcing element comprises a coil. The braid is positioned at the proximal portion of the inner liner and extends distally therefrom. The coil is positioned at the distal portion longitudinally adjacent the braid. The braid has a length that may extend about 90% of the length of the sheath. An outer jacket is positioned longitudinally around the reinforcing elements, and is connected to the inner liner between the respective wires of the braid and the coil.

Abstract: The present invention is a guide catheter and a method of making the guide catheter. The invention includes a catheter having an inner layer, a support element associated with the inner layer, and an outer layer external to the support element. The invention further includes a cutting apparatus used in the method of making the guide catheter.

Abstract: A catheter according to one embodiment may be configured to extend through a transseptal puncture site, a left atrium, and into a left ventricle. The catheter may comprise a shaft defining at least one lumen configured to receive at least one of an implant and/or a dilator, a first steerable actuator coupled to the shaft at a position on the shaft substantially corresponding to the annulus of the mitral valve when the distal end of the shaft is disposed within the left ventricle, and a handle assembly coupled to a proximal end of the shaft. The handle assembly may comprise a first actuator coupled to the first steerable actuator. The first actuator may be configured to apply a force to the first steerable actuator to deflect the shaft about a region proximate to the first steerable actuator.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide an introducer sheath having a braided member and methods of manufacture. The introducer sheath comprises an inner tube, a braided member disposed over at least a portion of the inner tube, and an outer tube disposed over the inner tube and the braided member. In one embodiment, the braided member comprises a plurality of intersecting first and second wire segments at least partially covered with a coating. At least a portion of the first and second wire segments are bonded together at one or more intersections, for example, by melting the coating, to reduce movement of at least one of the first and second wire segments with respect to one another. Optionally, a coiled member having a plurality of turns may be disposed over a portion of the braided member and the inner tube.

Abstract: Alternative design, material, manufacturing method, and use for medical devices, such as catheters, catheter shafts and the like. An example includes a medical device, such as a catheter shaft, including an elongated tubular braid comprising a plurality of filaments and including an end portion coated with a first polymeric material having a first melting point temperature, wherein the first polymeric material attaches the braid filaments together. A second polymeric material having a second melting temperature lower than the first melting point temperature may be attached to the coated end portion of the braid. In some embodiments, the underlying a first polymeric material may reduce the tendency of the braid to flair into the second polymeric material. Other examples relate to methods of making such medical devices, such as a catheter shaft, of the like.

Abstract: A long nose manipulatable catheter is described herein. The catheter generally comprises a flexible joint region defining a main lumen and an adjacent wire lumen. The wire lumen has an opening near or at a distal end of the flexible joint region and a push/pull wire can be pushed or pulled through the wire lumen. The catheter assembly may also comprise at least one radio-opaque marker band for securing the push/pull wire. The joint region has a predetermined length sized to affect a flexure of the joint and is generally located at the distal end of the catheter. The joint region itself may be varied to extend distally from where the braid terminates, or it may extend to encompass a portion of the braid. By varying a length of the joint region, the amount of curvature and flexure of the joint region can be controlled.

Abstract: Splittable tubular devices and methods for making them are provided. In one embodiment, a tubular device includes a proximal end, a distal end sized for introduction into a body lumen, and a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends. The tubular device includes an outer tubular layer defining a circumference; and a reinforcing layer bonded to the outer tubular layer, the reinforcing layer including a circumferential interruption. To make a tubular device, an elongate tubular reinforcing structure may be folded into itself to define first and second longitudinal edges, and rolled until the longitudinal edges are disposed adjacent one another. The reinforcing structure may be attached to a tubular structure such that the longitudinal edges define a circumferential interruption extending along a length of the tubular structure.

Abstract: A microcatheter comprising a sleeve and removable core with an atraumatic tip that allows delivery and navigation of the catheter to a site in remote small diameter vasculature over a guidewire. The core is removed upon achieving desired vascular access, leaving the sleeve in place for delivery of various therapeutic implants or systems.

Abstract: A flexible composite tube for medical applications is described. The tube has the ability to transmit a torque and to resist compression, tension, and kinking. The tube is also very flexible in bending, and has a small wall thickness. Different layers are used to obtain the desired properties. Torsional stiffness is obtained by embedding a braid in an elastomeric material. Resistance to kinks and to compression and tension is obtained by placing coils radially inward or outward of the braid. Smooth plastic layers are used to seal the assembly, and facilitate sliding in a body cavity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a catheter for extraction that can efficiently extract blood flowing in coronary sinus from coronary artery through coronary vein and has the same operability as catheters used in conventional PCI. The present invention also provides a catheter for extracorporeal circulation that can lessen an introduction number of devices for blood access as little as possible and reduce further the burden to a patient, in addition to the same operability as the catheters used in the conventional PCI. The catheter for extraction is equipped with blood extracting lumen in an inside and equipped with a hub at a proximal end portion, and when a minimum sectional area to a circumferential direction of the blood extracting lumen is referred to as S1 and immersion side length is referred to as L1, an equivalent diameter D1 satisfies the formula defined by D1=(4×S1)/L1 and the equivalent diameter D1 is at 1.80 mm.

Abstract: A catheter includes an elongate member having a braided reinforcing layer. The reinforcing layer comprises a plurality of continuous filaments that transform from a braided configuration to short axially oriented segments in a least one location along the catheter. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing a braided elongate member including providing a core, forming at least one braided portion with a plurality of filaments and forming at least one short axially oriented segment with at least a portion of the same plurality of filaments.

Abstract: Steerable catheter devices are provided having a proximal first end portion, an elongate intermediate portion, and a distal flexible second end portion defining a longitudinal axis, and at least one channel having a proximal opening and terminating at an occluded distal end radially offset relative to the central longitudinal axis and positioned within the catheter flexible second end portion substantially straight in a relaxed position and bent when the occluded distal end is under a change in internal fluid pressure. Optionally, the catheter further has a dye injection lumen and a tool receiving passageway extending from the first end portion to the second end portion. The occluded distal end is axially elastically distensible under an internal fluid pressure to deflect (thereby to steer) the catheter second end portion through the tortuous path of a vessel passageway when used percutaneously or working channel of an endoscope or endoscope accessory device.

Abstract: There is provided a medical catheter tube capable of exhibiting excellent flexibility, and provided a process for producing the same. In particular, there is provided a medical catheter tube having, arranged from a base edge side, a base part, a forefront part and a cutting edge part The medical catheter tube comprises an inner layer tube of resin pipe; a reinforcing material layer produced by knitting of a wire around the inner layer tube; a marker disposed by winding and covering of the inner layer tube at the forefront part with a roentgenopaque metal member; and an outer layer tube of resin pipe covering the reinforcing material layer and the marker. The inner layer tube, reinforcing material layer, marker and outer layer tube of the medical catheter tube are united together.

Abstract: Coated devices for introduction into bodies and methods for making and using them are provided, such as delivery sheaths, guidewire lumen cores, and elongate leads. In one embodiment, a tubular device includes a proximal end, a distal end sized for introduction into a body lumen, and a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends. The tubular device includes a relatively thin inner polyurethane liner including a coating on an inner surface thereof, e.g., providing a lubricious and/or hydrophilic lumen, and an outer layer surrounding the liner. In another embodiment, a lead is provided that includes a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one electrode on the distal end. A polyurethane cover surrounds at least a portion of an outer surface of the lead that include a coating, e.g., including a lubricious and/or hydrophilic material. Optionally, the cover may be removable from around the lead body.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a catheter shaft includes the steps of forming an inner layer of a first polymeric material, forming a plait matrix layer including a second polymeric material about the inner layer, and forming an outer layer of a third polymeric material about the plait matrix layer. The plait matrix layer includes a braided wire mesh partially or fully embedded within the second polymeric material, which is different from at least one of the first polymeric material forming the inner layer and the third polymeric material forming the outer layer. The second polymeric material has a higher yield strain and/or a lower hardness than at least the first polymeric material, and preferably both the first and the third polymeric materials. The first polymeric material and the third polymeric material may be different or the same. The catheter shaft may be formed by stepwise extrusion, co-extrusion, and/or reflow processes.

Abstract: Provided is a catheter suitable for catheterization of a right coronary artery using a right transradial approach. The catheter presents improved directionality, thereby requiring minimized external torque to be applied during insertion and diagnostic procedures. A catheter according to the disclosed design includes a tip near its distal end, a primary curve, a secondary curve, a tertiary curve and a proximal end accessible external a catheterized body. When properly inserted, the secondary curve may rest near the junction of the bracheocephalic trunk and the right subclavian artery, and the tertiary curve may rest in the superior curve of the right subclavian artery. In addition to improved directionality, the secondary and/or tertiary curve offers additional resistance against cephalic, or upward, back-up force by providing caudal, or downward, torque to more distal portions of the catheter body.

Abstract: Various methods and devices are provided for dilating tissue. In one embodiment, a braided tube is provided having an inner lumen extending along a longitudinal axis between first and second ends, and at least one axial support member slidably disposed along a length of the braided tube. In use, the axial support member(s) can move longitudinally to selectively increase and decrease a diameter of the inner lumen of the braided tube, and thereby dilate tissue.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a multi-layer catheter for navigation to remote locations within the body, comprising a liner layer, a braid layer and an outer jacket. The catheter provides a high degree of flexibility needed to traverse the vasculature and a high degree of strength needed to withstand the high pressures associated with catheter-delivery of viscous embolizing compositions.

Abstract: The present invention is a splitable/peelable reinforced flexible tubular body (10) for a catheter or sheath (12). The body (10) comprises a proximal end (14), a distal end (16), a wall structure (18), and a lumen (20) defined by the wall structure (18). The wall structure (18) extends between the ends and includes a reinforcement layer (22) within the wall structure (18) and a separation line (26) extending longitudinally along the wall structure (18). The separation line (26) is adapted to facilitate the splitting/peeling of the wall structure (18) to allow a medical device such as a pacemaker lead to be removed from within the tubular body (10).

Abstract: A catheter includes an elongate member having a braided and coiled reinforcing layer encased within a polymeric bonding layer. The reinforcing layer comprises a plurality of continuous filaments that transform from a braided configuration to a coiled configuration in a least one location along the catheter. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing a braided and coiled elongate member including providing a core, forming at least one braided portion with a plurality of filaments and forming at least one coiled portion with at least a portion of the same plurality of filaments.

Abstract: A catheter includes an elongate member having a braided reinforcing layer encased within a polymeric bonding layer. The reinforcing layer comprises a plurality of continuous filaments that transform from a full complement braid configuration to a partial complement braid configuration in a least one location along the catheter. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing a braided elongate member including providing a core, forming at least one full complement braid portion with a plurality of filaments and forming at least one partial complement braid portion with a portion of the same plurality of filaments.

Abstract: A multiple braid exterior tube having a composite structure which includes an inner tubular layer, reinforcing layers and a polymer matrix layer. The exterior tube is formed with polymeric materials and metallic reinforcing braiding configured to provide greater tensile strength and stiffness. The exterior tube is used for a variety of medical devices such as a sheath component for intravascular devices and catheters.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a catheter, comprising: a lumen having a distal end and a proximal end; one or more marker bands circumferentially arranged around the lumen; a support structure extending from the proximal end of the lumen to the most distal marker band; and a top jacket positioned annularly with respect to the lumen, comprising five durometers of material, wherein the support structure and top jacket alternate along the length of the catheter.

Abstract: A medical catheter includes a proximal tube portion and a distal tube portion, and at least the proximal tube portion is composed of a multilayered structure that includes a metal layer and a resin layer. The proximal tube portion has a metal layer therein, which is at least partly treated, for example physically or chemically, to remove a portion of the metal layer and produce a metal layer having a cross-sectional area which varies in the lengthwise direction.

Abstract: An intracorporeal catheter, such as a guiding catheter, employed for intraluminal procedures is disclosed. The catheter generally has an elongated catheter shaft including a polymeric inner layer and a non-radiopaque outer polymeric layer, along with a radiopaque reinforcing structure disposed between the inner and outer layers. In one embodiment, the reinforcing layer consists of multiple drawn filled tubes braided or wound together. The drawn filled tubes may have a stainless steel outer jacket clad over a radiopaque inner core, or the drawn filled tubes may have a radiopaque outer jacket clad over a stainless steel core. In another embodiment, the reinforcing layer may consist of multiple wires containing radiopaque alloys braided or wound together, wherein at least two of the wires consist of different radiopaque alloys. The strands of the reinforcing structure may have a circular or a rectangular transverse cross-sectional shape.