Patent · US Expired

Reinforced catheter with thin monolithic walls

US5334169A · kind A · utility

129Cited by
13References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 11, 1992
Grant dateAug 2, 1994
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 11, 2012

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T156/1064
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A high torque, thin walled guiding catheter has resilient reinforcement material (8, 23, 29, 70, 73) integrally spiraled or braided into monolithic walls (21) of flexible material. A solid lubricant, also referred to as dry lubricant, comprised of either special fluorine containing materials or polymeric organic silicon compounds is embedded into interior and exterior wall surfaces of the catheters. Smooth interior walls (11) are channeled (10) to decrease friction resistance, to trap resistance particles and to dissipate friction heat in the high ratio of surface area to cross-sectional area of small catheters. Number of spirals or braids of reinforcement strands per unit of length, number of layers of strands of the catheters, catheter diameter and progressiveness thereof are designedly different for separate portions of particular catheters. Catheter tips (6) are weldable immediately adjacent to select density of strands of reinforcement material. Perfusion ports are weldable where desired. Directional bends (7) are positional selectively at distal ends (5) of the catheters (1). Methods for manufacture and modification with co-extrusion, miniature milling and welding while maint…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.