Catheter with body temperature glass transition region
US5441489A · kind A · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 14, 1991 |
| Grant date | Aug 15, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 14, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M25/0054
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A catheter consists of a torque transmitting portion which has rigidity sufficient for torque transmission and a flexible portion made of a material having a glass transition temperature for giving rigidity before insertion and flexibility after insertion. The torque transmitting portion maintains torque transmitting ability before, during and after insertion. The flexible portion maintains appropriate rigidity before and during insertion, which enables easy insertion, and gains flexibility after insertion by the body heat, which avoids hurting of the vulnerable insertion walls. Further, the torque transmitting portion may have a structure wherein a reinforcement of a coil or a braid of linear metal wires, specifically flat rectangular wires, is attached thereto to afford torque transmitting ability. Catheters having various functions and structures can be easily manufactured by extrusion-molding, or the like.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.