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US6048338A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Catheter with spiral cut transition member

Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed Inc
•
Filing: 1999-02-02
•
Granted: 2000-04-11
•
Expires: 2019-02-02
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Abstract

Abstract A spiral cut transition member is disclosed for controlling the transition in stiffness of a catheter from a stiffer more pushable proximal section to a more flexible and trackable distal section and increasing kink resistance. The transition member has a spiral cut provided therein to vary the flexibility of the transition member over its length. The pitch of the spiral cut can be varied to facilitate a gradual transition in flexibility along the catheter. The transition member may be used in conjunction with any type of catheter including single-operator-exchange type catheters, over-the wire type catheters, and/or fixed-wire type catheters.

Inventors

  • 👤 Christopher R. Larson
  • 👤 Angela J. Kornkven

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 12:24
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/10; A61M25/104; A61M25/0043; A61M25/0054; A61M2025/0063; A61M25/0067; A61M25/008; A61M2025/0081; A61M2025/0098; A61M25/1006

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim 92 words
A catheter assembly comprising: an elongate shaft having a transition in flexibility; and a transition tube disposed about the shaft and having a spiral cut along at least a portion of the transition tube, the transition tube positioned adjacent at least a portion of the transition in flexibility of the shaft, wherein the transition tube has a region that is generally radially spaced from the shaft when the shaft is in a substantially straight configuration, and at least in part engaged with the shaft when the catheter is in a bent configuration.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 92 words
A catheter assembly comprising: an elongate shaft having a transition in flexibility; and a transition tube disposed about the shaft and having a spiral cut along at least a portion of the transition tube, the transition tube positioned adjacent at least a portion of the transition in flexibility of the shaft, wherein the transition tube has a region that is generally radially spaced from the shaft when the shaft is in a substantially straight configuration, and at least in part engaged with the shaft when the catheter is in a bent configuration.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 62 words
A catheter assembly according to claim 1, wherein the shaft has in order a proximal region, a transition region and a distal region, wherein the proximal region has a first flexibility, the distal region has a second flexibility that is greater than the first flexibility, and the transition region provides the transition in flexibility from the first flexibility to the second flexibility.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 57 words
A catheter assembly according to claim 1, wherein the shaft has a proximal region and a distal region, wherein the proximal region has a first flexibility and the distal region has a second flexibility that is greater than the first flexibility, the proximal region and distal region joined at a junction to provide the transition in flexibility.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 37 words
A catheter assembly according to claim 1, wherein the transition tube has in order a first end region, an intermediate region, and a second end region, wherein only the first end region is secured to the shaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 20 words
A catheter assembly according to claim 4, wherein the second end region is more flexible than the first end region.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 25 words
A catheter assembly according to claim 4, wherein the first end region is secured to the shaft proximate the transition in flexibility of the shaft.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 34 words
A catheter assembly according to claim 6, wherein the first end region is secured to the shaft at the transition in flexibility with the intermediate region and the second end region extending distally therefrom.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 16 words
A catheter assembly according to claim 1, wherein the transition tube is a stainless steel hypotube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 15 words
A catheter assembly according to claim 1, wherein the transition tube is a polymeric tube.

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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2003-04-11 2003-10-11 2004-04-11 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2007-04-11 2007-10-11 2008-04-11 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2011-04-11 2011-10-11 2012-04-11 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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