Variable diameter catheter

Abstract

Abstract A catheter (10) which may be longitudinally folded for insertion into a first end of a body orifice and then unfolded after insertion for subsequently transporting a fluid, comprising a resiliently flexible tube (14) of generally uniform diameter along its length. The tube comprises walls (14) of uneven thickness around its circunference, such that the wall (14) is longitudinally foldable upon itself, with that portion (15) of the wall (14) which folds upon itself being thinner than the rest of the wall. The catheter (10) further comprises a stylet (12) for retaining the involution or fold (15) in the catheter tubes, such that the folded tube (10) will unfold to its normal rounded configuration upon removal or release of the stylet (12). In this manner, the diameter of the catheter (10) in the folded state is considerably reduced over that of the diameter in the unfolded state.

Inventors

• 👤 Clark R. Fuqua

Bibliographic Details