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US5605543A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Catheter having shaft of varying stiffness

Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed Inc
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Filing: 1996-01-30
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Granted: 1997-02-25
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Expires: 2016-01-30
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Abstract

Abstract A medical device such as a catheter is described having a stiff, preferably metallic, proximal tube. The distal portion of the proximal tube may have a plurality of perforations or slots formed therein to increase its flexibility. This provides a smooth transition between the relatively stiff proximal tube and a more flexible distal polymeric tube.

Inventors

  • 👤 William J. Swanson

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 00:08
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/10; A61M25/104; A61M25/01; A61M25/06; A61M25/0043; A61M25/0054; A61M2025/0063; A61M2025/0183; A61M25/0105; A61M25/0133; A61M25/0138

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim 146 words
A catheter comprising: (a) an inner tube; and (b) an outer tube positioned around the inner tube and forming a lumen between the outer tube and inner tube, the outer tube comprising: (i) a proximal section having a distal portion, the distal portion having a substantially circular and uninterrupted cross-section throughout its length and a first flexibility; (ii) a distal section having a proximal portion, the proximal portion having a substantially circular and uninterrupted cross-section throughout its length and a second flexibility; and (iii) a transition section intermediate the proximal section and the distal section, the transition section having one or more openings therein, with the transition section being configured to provide a flexibility which is greater than the first flexibility of the distal portion of the proximal section and which flexibility is less than the second flexibility of the proximal portion of the distal section.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 146 words
A catheter comprising: (a) an inner tube; and (b) an outer tube positioned around the inner tube and forming a lumen between the outer tube and inner tube, the outer tube comprising: (i) a proximal section having a distal portion, the distal portion having a substantially circular and uninterrupted cross-section throughout its length and a first flexibility; (ii) a distal section having a proximal portion, the proximal portion having a substantially circular and uninterrupted cross-section throughout its length and a second flexibility; and (iii) a transition section intermediate the proximal section and the distal section, the transition section having one or more openings therein, with the transition section being configured to provide a flexibility which is greater than the first flexibility of the distal portion of the proximal section and which flexibility is less than the second flexibility of the proximal portion of the distal section.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 11 words
The catheter of claim 1 wherein the transition section is metallic.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 118 words
A catheter comprising: (a) an inner tube comprising (i) a non-perforated proximal section having a distal end with a first flexibility; (ii) a non-perforated distal section having a proximal end with a second flexibility; and (iii) a transition section intermediate the proximal section and the distal section, the transition section having one or more openings therein, with the transition section being configured to provide a flexibility which is greater than the first flexibility of the distal end of the proximal section and which flexibility is less than the second flexibility of the proximal end of the distal section; and b) an outer tube having a continuous surface positioned in co-axial relation about and bonded to the transition section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 118 words
A catheter comprising: (a) an inner tube comprising (i) a non-perforated proximal section having a distal end with a first flexibility; (ii) a non-perforated distal section having a proximal end with a second flexibility; and (iii) a transition section intermediate the proximal section and the distal section, the transition section having one or more openings therein, with the transition section being configured to provide a flexibility which is greater than the first flexibility of the distal end of the proximal section and which flexibility is less than the second flexibility of the proximal end of the distal section; and b) an outer tube having a continuous surface positioned in co-axial relation about and bonded to the transition section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 11 words
The catheter of claim 3 wherein the transition section is metallic.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 15 words
The catheter of claim 4 wherein one or more of the openings have beveled edges.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 15 words
The catheter of claim 3 wherein one or more of the openings have beveled edges.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 16 words
The catheter of claim 3 wherein the outer tube is chemically bonded to the transition section.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 22 words
The catheter of claim 3 wherein the outer tube is plastic and extends into a depth of the one or more openings.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 127 words
A catheter comprising: (a) an inner tube comprising; (i) a non-perforated proximal section having a distal end with a first flexibility; (ii) a non-perforated distal section having a proximal end with a second flexibility; (iii) a transition section intermediate the proximal section and the distal section, the transition section having one or more openings therein, with the transition section being configured to provide a flexibility which is greater than the first flexibility of the distal end of the proximal section and which flexibility is less than the second flexibility of the proximal end of the distal section; and, (iv) a sleeve bonded to the transition section; and b) an outer tube positioned around the inner tube and forming a lumen between the inner tube and outer tube.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 127 words
A catheter comprising: (a) an inner tube comprising; (i) a non-perforated proximal section having a distal end with a first flexibility; (ii) a non-perforated distal section having a proximal end with a second flexibility; (iii) a transition section intermediate the proximal section and the distal section, the transition section having one or more openings therein, with the transition section being configured to provide a flexibility which is greater than the first flexibility of the distal end of the proximal section and which flexibility is less than the second flexibility of the proximal end of the distal section; and, (iv) a sleeve bonded to the transition section; and b) an outer tube positioned around the inner tube and forming a lumen between the inner tube and outer tube.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 11 words
The catheter of claim 9 wherein the transition section is metallic.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 15 words
The catheter of claim 9 wherein the sleeve is chemically bonded to the transition section.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 21 words
The catheter of claim 9 wherein the sleeve is plastic and extends into a depth of the one or more openings.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 124 words
A balloon dilatation catheter comprising: (a) an inner tube comprising (i) a proximal section having a distal end with a first flexibility; (ii) a distal section having a proximal end with a second flexibility; and (iii) a transition section intermediate the proximal section and the distal section, the transition section having one or more openings therein, with the transition section being configured to provide a flexibility which is greater than the first flexibility of the distal end of the proximal section and which flexibility is less than the second flexibility of the proximal end of the distal section; (b) an outer tube positioned around and attached to the inner tube; and (c) a balloon connected to the outer tube distal to the transition section.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 124 words
A balloon dilatation catheter comprising: (a) an inner tube comprising (i) a proximal section having a distal end with a first flexibility; (ii) a distal section having a proximal end with a second flexibility; and (iii) a transition section intermediate the proximal section and the distal section, the transition section having one or more openings therein, with the transition section being configured to provide a flexibility which is greater than the first flexibility of the distal end of the proximal section and which flexibility is less than the second flexibility of the proximal end of the distal section; (b) an outer tube positioned around and attached to the inner tube; and (c) a balloon connected to the outer tube distal to the transition section.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 11 words
The catheter of claim 13 wherein the transition section is metallic.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 15 words
The catheter of claim 14 wherein one or more of the openings have beveled edges.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 15 words
The catheter of claim 13 wherein one or more of the openings have beveled edges.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 130 words
A catheter comprising: (a) an inner tube; and (b) an outer tube positioned around the inner tube and forming a lumen between the outer tube and inner tube, the outer tube comprising: (i) a non-perforated proximal section having a distal end with a first flexibility; (ii) a non-perforated distal section having a proximal end with a second flexibility; (iii) a transition section intermediate the proximal section and the distal section, the transition section having one or more openings therein, with the transition section being configured to provide a flexibility which is greater than the first flexibility of the distal end of, the proximal section and which flexibility is less than the second flexibility of the proximal end of the distal section; and, (iv) a sleeve bonded to the transition section.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 130 words
A catheter comprising: (a) an inner tube; and (b) an outer tube positioned around the inner tube and forming a lumen between the outer tube and inner tube, the outer tube comprising: (i) a non-perforated proximal section having a distal end with a first flexibility; (ii) a non-perforated distal section having a proximal end with a second flexibility; (iii) a transition section intermediate the proximal section and the distal section, the transition section having one or more openings therein, with the transition section being configured to provide a flexibility which is greater than the first flexibility of the distal end of, the proximal section and which flexibility is less than the second flexibility of the proximal end of the distal section; and, (iv) a sleeve bonded to the transition section.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 11 words
The catheter of claim 17 wherein the transition section is metallic.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 15 words
The catheter of claim 17 wherein the sleeve is chemically bonded to the transition section.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 21 words
The catheter of claim 17 wherein the sleeve is plastic and extends into a depth of the one or more openings.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 140 words
A balloon dilatation catheter comprising: (a) an inner tube; and (b) an outer tube positioned around the inner tube and forming a lumen between the outer tube and inner tube, the outer tube comprising: (i) a proximal section having a distal end with a first flexibility; (ii) a distal section having a proximal end with a second flexibility; and, (iii) a transition section intermediate the proximal section and the distal section, the transition section having one or more openings therein, with the transition section being configured to provide a flexibility which is greater than the first flexibility of the distal end of the proximal section and which flexibility is less than the second flexibility of the proximal end of the distal section; and (b) a balloon connected to the outer tube distal to the transition section of the outer tube.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 140 words
A balloon dilatation catheter comprising: (a) an inner tube; and (b) an outer tube positioned around the inner tube and forming a lumen between the outer tube and inner tube, the outer tube comprising: (i) a proximal section having a distal end with a first flexibility; (ii) a distal section having a proximal end with a second flexibility; and, (iii) a transition section intermediate the proximal section and the distal section, the transition section having one or more openings therein, with the transition section being configured to provide a flexibility which is greater than the first flexibility of the distal end of the proximal section and which flexibility is less than the second flexibility of the proximal end of the distal section; and (b) a balloon connected to the outer tube distal to the transition section of the outer tube.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 11 words
The catheter of claim 21 wherein the transition section is metallic.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2000-02-25 2000-08-26 2001-02-25 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2004-02-25 2004-08-26 2005-02-25 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2008-02-25 2008-08-26 2009-02-25 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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