US6761703B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Catheter incorporating a high column high column strength distal tip region
Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed Inc
•
Filing: 2001-07-03
•
Granted: 2004-07-13
•
Expires: 2021-07-03
Abstract
Abstract A catheter is disclosed providing a balloon catheter having a distal tip that is flexible while additionally incorporating high column strength. The present invention additionally provides a distal tip region that accommodates for various sized guidewires. In preferred embodiments, the distal tip region is initially configured for accommodating the passage of 0.12-inch guidewires only. Through specific manufacturing processes, however, the distal tip is modified so that it also may be expanded to accommodate the passage of 0.14-inch guidewires. In additional preferred embodiments, an elastomeric sleeve is disposed over the modified distal tip to allow the tip to return to the initial 0.12-inch accommodating profile when the larger 0.14-inch guidewire is withdrawn from the catheter.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul J. Miller
- 👤 Tracee E. J. Eidenschink
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:18
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/0067; A61M25/0074; A61M25/008; A61M25/10; A61M25/104; A61M2025/1043; A61M2025/1093; A61M25/0021; A61M25/0023
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
A balloon catheter assembly comprising: an outer tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end; an inner tubular member coaxially disposed within at least a portion of the outer tubular member having a proximal portion and a distal portion with a lumen extending therethrough, the proximal portion of the inner tubular member having a first column stiffness and a first flexibility, the distal portion of the inner tubular member having a second column stiffness similar to the first column stiffness and a second flexibility greater than the first flexibility, the distal portion of the inner tubular member having a longitudinal cut with ends abutting to form a tapered tip being expandable from a first outer diameter to a second outer diameter wherein the first diameter is smaller than the second diameter; and an inflatable balloon having a proximal end affixed proximate the distal end of the outer tubular member, and a distal end affixed proximate the distal portion of the expandable tubular member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
165 words
A balloon catheter assembly comprising: an outer tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end; an inner tubular member coaxially disposed within at least a portion of the outer tubular member having a proximal portion and a distal portion with a lumen extending therethrough, the proximal portion of the inner tubular member having a first column stiffness and a first flexibility, the distal portion of the inner tubular member having a second column stiffness similar to the first column stiffness and a second flexibility greater than the first flexibility, the distal portion of the inner tubular member having a longitudinal cut with ends abutting to form a tapered tip being expandable from a first outer diameter to a second outer diameter wherein the first diameter is smaller than the second diameter; and an inflatable balloon having a proximal end affixed proximate the distal end of the outer tubular member, and a distal end affixed proximate the distal portion of the expandable tubular member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The balloon catheter assembly of claim 1 , wherein the distal portion of the inner tubular member includes at least one longitudinally extending slit through a wall thereof along at least a portion of the length of the distal portion of the inner tubular member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The balloon catheter assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one longitudinally extending slit extends along at least a portion of the length of the inner tubular member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The balloon catheter assembly of claim 1 , wherein at least part of the distal portion of the inner tubular member tapers distally.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The balloon catheter assembly of claim 1 , wherein the distal portion of the inner tubular member expands from an inner diameter of about 0.012 inches to an inner diameter of about 0.024 inches.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3435826A
Cited
US4899729A
Cited
US4921479A
Cited
US4884579A
Cited
US5447506A
Cited
US5047045A
Cited
EP0462482A1
Cited
US5156594A
Cited
US5221270A
Cited
US5447503A
Cited
US5827225A
Cited
US5573508A
Cited
US5728063A
Cited
US5738666A
Cited
US5755704A
Cited
US5891110A
Cited
US6129707A
Cited
WO1999044666A2
Cited
US6517515B1
Cited
US6196995B1
Cited
US6245053B1
Cited
WO2001015763A1
Cited
US20040030319A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-07-13 | 2008-01-12 | 2008-07-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-07-13 | 2012-01-12 | 2012-07-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-07-13 | 2016-01-12 | 2016-07-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |