Rapid-exchange balloon catheter shaft and method

US7815600B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• CORDIS CORPORATION · US

Inventors

• Laila Al-Marashi · Mountain View, US
• David D. Grewe · Grand Junction, US
• Stephen Griffin · San Jose, US
• Elaine Lim · Fremont, US
• David C. Majercak · Stewartsville, US
• Roger Stevens · Teddington, GB

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 11, 2008
• Grant date: Oct 19, 2010
• Expiry date: Mar 6, 2028

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61M2025/0183
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A rapid-exchange balloon catheter or stent delivery system, for medically treating a patient, has a proximal hub, a balloon, and an improved shaft design. The catheter shaft has a tubular outer body that includes a hypotube extending from the catheter proximal end to a position at or near the proximal leg of the balloon. An inner tubular body defines a guidewire lumen and extends from a distal guidewire port at the catheter distal end to proximal guidewire port located between the balloon and the proximal hub. The hypotube has an aperture for accepting the inner body proximal end and a circumferential cut pattern. The cut pattern adds flexibility and may have any desired shape, including a spiral, a helical undulating path, or an overlapping serpentine path with inflection points, for example. The proximal guidewire port may be positioned on or in between the individual portions of the cut pattern.