| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 604525000 | Providing varying degrees of flexibility along longitudinal axis | 50 |
| 20080228168 | CATHETER WITH CHANGING MATERIAL PROPERTIES - A catheter for administering a substance into a patient's tissue includes an elongated catheter body surrounding a lumen. At least one part of the length of the catheter body includes a material that changes its stiffness due to changes in the ambient conditions in the administering environment. | 09-18-2008 |
| 20090012500 | Medical Catheter Tube and Method of Producing the Same - The medical catheter tube of the present invention integrally has an inner layer tube; reinforcement material layers formed by placing element wires on the inner layer tube; a marker; and an outer layer tube. The element wires, which are first and the other element wires, for forming the reinforcement material layers are synthetic resin element wires and/or metallic element wires, the first element wires are placed in the axis direction of the catheter to form the first reinforcement material layer, and the other element wires are wound in a coil form on the first reinforcement material layer, in the circumferential direction of the catheter, to cover the first reinforcement material layer. The marker is flexible to deformation. Because of the presence of the reinforcement material layer and the outer layer tube, flexural rigidity from a base section to a head section is reduced in a stepped or continuous manner. | 01-08-2009 |
| 20090118705 | GUIDEWIRES WITH IMPROVED FATIGUE LIFE AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME - A medical device, such as a medical guidewire, having a portion including an inner zone of material and an outer peripheral zone of material surrounding the inner zone of material. The inner zone of material has a first coefficient of thermal expansion and the outer peripheral zone of material has a second coefficient of thermal expansion less than the first coefficient of thermal expansion, wherein at an operating temperature the outer peripheral zone of material opposes expansion of the inner zone of material such that the outer peripheral zone of material exerts a compressive stress on the inner zone of material. | 05-07-2009 |
| 20090171318 | Catheter with non-uniform wall thickness - A catheter having a non uniform wall thickness comprising first and second wall regions is described. The first region is thicker than the second region and at least a part of the first region comprises a material having a lower stiffness modulus than the second region. Typically, the ratio of stiffness between the first region and the second region is less than 1.25:1 and preferably approximately 1:1. The first region may comprise the same material as the second region but having a different formulation so that the stiffness modulus is altered. Alternatively, the regions may comprise different materials. The lower modulus material is coextruded into at least a part of the broadest/thicker cross sectional region(s). | 07-02-2009 |
| 20090192494 | Catheter for Blood Removal - A catheter for blood removal that is to be provided in the coronary sinus via the inferior vena cava to remove the blood in the coronary sinus from the body wherein: the catheter for blood removal has a straight back end shaft, a curved front end shaft connected in the front end side of the back end shaft, a hub connected in the back end side of the back end shaft and a blood removal lumen extending from the back end of the catheter for blood removal to the front end thereof; the front end shaft comprises a first straight part, a first curve part following the first straight part, a second curve part following the first curve part, a second straight part following the second curve part, a third curve part following the second straight part and a third curve part following the third straight part. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090247987 | Drainage Catheter - A catheter includes a shaft formed of a first material, the shaft including a shaft lumen extending therethrough from a proximal opening to a distal end of the shaft and an abutting member coupled to the distal end of the shaft, the abutting member being formed of a second material stiffer than the first material and forming an abutting surface at least partially covering a distal end of the shaft lumen in combination with a distal tip coupled to the abutting member, the distal tip including a tip lumen extending therethrough to a distal opening. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20100057050 | CATHETER CONFIGURED FOR INCREMENTAL ROTATION - A catheter which allows the rotational orientation of the distal end of the catheter to be adjusted in discrete intervals as the physician rotates the proximal end of the catheter. The catheter is designed to intentionally induce whipping but to limit the amount of whipping to a desired rotational interval. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100069882 | MEDICAL DEVICE WITH PREFERENTIAL BENDING - Medical devices such as catheters may provide advantages in flexibility, strength and other desired properties. Some medical devices may include a hypotube that has a plurality of slots disposed therein. The hypotube or another portion of the medical device may cause or permit the medical device to exhibit preferential bending in a single direction. | 03-18-2010 |
| 20100069883 | VARIABLE CHARACTERISTIC VENOUS ACCESS CATHETER SHAFT - A central venous catheter is provided having a proximal tube segment, a distal tube segment and a transition tube segment interposed between the proximal and distal tube segments which are preferably formed as a single integrated tube containing polymer material of different durometer and varying amounts of radiopaque filler material. The polymer durometer of the proximal segment is higher than the polymer durometer of the distal segment. By contrast, the percentage by weight of the filler material contained in the distal segment is higher than that of the proximal segment. The variation in the polymer durometer and the filler amount along the length of the tube provide the desired tensile strength, hardness, chemical resistance and fatigue resistance at the proximal segment and at the same time provide the desired flexibility and radiopacity at the distal segment. | 03-18-2010 |
| 20100100073 | CATHETER ARTICULATION SEGMENT WITH ALTERNATING CUTS - An articulation segment for a catheter includes a tube formed with a first plurality of axially aligned slits that are respectively oriented in planes perpendicular to the axis, with each slit extending azimuthally in an arc partway around the axis. The tube is also formed with a second plurality of similarly formed slits that are axially offset and diametrically opposed relative to the slits of the first plurality to allow for a bending of the catheter in a plurality of different planes. In a particular embodiment, the slits are arranged to allow the articulation segment to be reconfigured from a straight, substantially cylindrically shaped tube to a configuration in which a portion of the articulation segment is formed in the shape of a ring. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100160899 | Microcatheter - A microcatheter comprises a coil formed over an inner liner. The coil is covered with a series of outer jacket segments that decrease in durometer relative to proximally adjacent segments. Preferably, these segments have angled ends that allow each segment to be inserted and bonded into the segment prior to it. The outer jacket ultimately terminates at a distal of the microcatheter with the segment having the lowest durometer. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20110040282 | Controllably Stiffenable Tube - A tube that can be stiffened in a controlled manner has a pressure channel for controllable production of a stiffening overpressure by introduction of a pressure medium. The tube has several flexible stiffening elements, of which at least one is stable with respect to tensile force and which are pressed onto one another when acted upon by the stiffening overpressure with the result that the tube is changed from a more flexible state to a more flexurally stiff state. A channel is separate from the pressure channel and, in the stiffened state of the tube, forms a working channel whose course corresponds to the tube shape. | 02-17-2011 |
| 20110106055 | FLEXIBLE ENDOSCOPE WITH MODIFIABLE STIFFNESS - An apparatus includes a flexible elongate member that defines a lumen and is configured to be inserted within a body passageway of a patient. The flexible elongate member includes a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a medial portion disposed between the proximal portion and the distal portion. The distal portion is movable between a substantially linear configuration and a curved configuration. A stiffening member is coupled to the flexible elongate member. The stiffening member is movable to a selected location along a length of the flexible elongate member to provide modified flexibility to the selected location of the flexible elongate member. The stiffening member may include a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having a first stiffness and the second portion having a second stiffness different than the first stiffness. The stiffening member may be disposed within a lumen or at an exterior portion of the flexible elongate member. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110288532 | ATRAUMATIC URETERAL ACCESS SHEATH - Ureteral access sheaths can have a nonuniform axial-stiffness. A nonuniform axial-stiffness ureteral access sheath can have an inner liner defining a longitudinally extending and generally uniform bore. A non-uniform axial-stiffness outer jacket can define a longitudinally tapered outer surface, and a reinforcement layer can be encapsulated between the inner liner and the non-uniform axial-stiffness outer jacket. The reinforcement layer can have a non-uniform axial-stiffness. For example, a proximal portion of the reinforcement layer can be thicker than a distal portion of the reinforcement layer. A coil of wire can be included in the reinforcement layer, and a diameter of the wire in a proximal portion of the reinforcement layer can be larger than a diameter of the wire in a distal portion of the reinforcement layer. In some instances, the diameter of the wire tapers from the proximal portion to the distal portion. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110301574 | ADJUSTABLE STIFFNESS CATHETER - Medical devices such as catheters can include structure or provision that permit a physician or other health care professional to adjust the stiffness of at least a portion of the medical device. In some instances, the medical device may be adjusted prior to inserting the medical device into a patient. In some cases, the medical device may be adjusted while in use within the patient. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20120277729 | CATHETER HAVING A SELECTIVELY VARIABLE DEGREE OF FLEXIBILITY - A catheter having a selectively variable degree of flexibility includes an elongate tubular outer member and an elongate tubular inner member disposed within the outer member. The catheter further includes a cavity disposed in between the outer and inner members. A tubular braid of filaments may be disposed within the cavity. The outer and inner members are movable relative to each other along intermediate portions thereof when in a first configuration, and are not movable relative to each other when in a second configuration. When the inner and outer members are in the first configuration, the tubular braid of filaments is movably disposed relative to at least one of the outer member and the inner member. When the inner and outer members are in the second configuration, the inner and outer members clamp the tubular braid of filaments in a fixed position relative to the inner and outer members. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120289937 | Method of Joining Tubing for Use in Medical Catheters - The present application relates to method of arresting telescopic endwise relative movement in a medical device between an end portion of an elongate member, preferably being a cylinder, and an end portion of a tube, preferably being a cylindrical tube, that receives the end portion of the elongate member. The method is of particular use in the construction of stent delivery systems. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing a length of deformable blocking material; imparting relative endwise movement to draw the blocking material, into the gap and reversing the direction until the blocking material length suffers deformation. | 11-15-2012 |
| 20130012924 | Dual Durometer Soft/Flexible Enhanced Bond Strength Guiding Tip - A catheter having a distal tip comprising two sections of different hardness, and a method of making the same, is herein disclosed. The first section of the two sections is distal to the second section of the two sections and the second section is comprised of a material that is harder than the material of the first section. Additionally, the distal tip is bonded to a catheter shaft and the material of the catheter shaft is harder than the material of the first and second sections. The material of the catheter shaft, first section, and second section can comprise polyether block amide, with each section and the catheter shaft having different properties. | 01-10-2013 |
| 20130018358 | CATHETERAANM WATANABE; NobuyoshiAACI Kasugai-shiAACO JPAAGP WATANABE; Nobuyoshi Kasugai-shi JPAANM ISHIKAWA; MasatomoAACI Seto-shiAACO JPAAGP ISHIKAWA; Masatomo Seto-shi JP - A catheter includes a proximal shaft, a distal shaft including a proximal end portion having an inner cavity into which a distal end portion of the proximal shaft is fitted, and a core wire extending through the inner cavity of the distal shaft. The core wire has a proximal end portion that is joined to a cutout portion formed in the distal end portion of the proximal shaft. Joining means are formed along a joint surface between the proximal end portion of the core wire and the cutout portion. When the joining means are divided into first joining means and second joining means along a longitudinal axis of the catheter, a length of one of the first joining means and the second joining means is larger than a length of the other of the first joining means and the second joining means. | 01-17-2013 |
| 20130072905 | CATHETER WITH COMPOSITE STIFFENER - A catheter comprising an elongate tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a passageway defining a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends. The elongate tubular member comprises a relatively stiff proximal section and a relatively flexible distal section. The proximal section includes an inner tubular liner, a first stiffener comprising a metal alloy, and a second stiffener comprising a non-metal alloy. The first and second stiffeners are coaxially wound exterior to the proximal inner liner. The distal section includes a distal inner tubular liner and the second stiffener coaxially wound exterior to the distal inner liner. The first stiffener terminates before reaching the distal section. | 03-21-2013 |
| 20130079753 | Flexible Medical Tubing Having Kink Resistant Properties And Methods And Apparatus To Produce The Same - A flexible, kink-resistant medical tube and a method and apparatus for making the same are provided. The tube includes a body having a first end, a second end, an outer surface and an inner surface. The tube includes a lumen defined by the inner surface of the body and extending between the first end and the second end. The tube also includes a helical structure within the body. The helical structure may be formed either during or after an extrusion process or by steps taken both during and after the extrusion process. | 03-28-2013 |
| 20130085479 | Catheter having Flexible Tip with Multiple Flexible Segments - A catheter apparatus includes an elongated body having a distal portion including a distal end, a plurality of flexible segments, and at least one intermediate segment that is less flexible than the flexible segments. Adjacent flexible segments are spaced from each other longitudinally by the at least one intermediate segment. Each of the flexible segments include a sidewall having at least one elongated gap extending at least partially therethrough and forming interlocking members. The at least one intermediate segment is shorter than the flexible segments. | 04-04-2013 |
| 20130096535 | ADJUSTABLE STIFFNESS CATHETER - Medical devices such as catheters can include structure or provision that permit a physician or other health care professional to adjust the stiffness of at least a portion of the medical device. In some instances, the medical device may be adjusted prior to inserting the medical device into a patient. In some cases, the medical device may be adjusted while in use within the patient. | 04-18-2013 |
| 20130144267 | REINFORCED ELONGATE MEDICAL DEVICE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE - An elongate medical device includes an elongate core and a substantially flat sheet formed into a tubular body defining a longitudinal axis and disposed around at least a portion of the elongate core, where the flat sheet has a length, and where a cross-sectional thickness of the sheet varies along the length of the sheet. The tubular body has proximal and distal portions, and a cross-sectional thickness of the sheet forming the distal portion of the tubular body may be less than a cross-sectional thickness of the sheet forming the proximal portion of the tubular body. A cross-sectional thickness of the sheet forming the tubular body preferably tapers from the proximal portion to the distal portion. | 06-06-2013 |
| 20130245610 | APPARATUS AND METHOD OF MAKING A VARIABLE STIFFNESS MULTILAYER CATHETER TUBING - A catheter body having a variable stiffness along its longitudinal length and a method for manufacturing same is disclosed wherein an inner layer having an uninterrupted length serves as a backbone for segments of coextrusion of, e.g., Pebax or nylon and a tie layer which are then bonded to the backbone to create a multi-stiffness catheter body. | 09-19-2013 |
| 20130324972 | Atraumatic Ureteral Access Sheath - Ureteral access sheaths can have a nonuniform axial-stiffness. A nonuniform axial-stiffness ureteral access sheath can have an inner liner defining a longitudinally extending and generally uniform bore. A non-uniform axial-stiffness outer jacket can define a longitudinally tapered outer surface, and a reinforcement layer can be encapsulated between the inner liner and the non-uniform axial-stiffness outer jacket. The reinforcement layer can have a non-uniform axial-stiffness. For example, a proximal portion of the reinforcement layer can be thicker than a distal portion of the reinforcement layer. A coil of wire can be included in the reinforcement layer, and a diameter of the wire in a proximal portion of the reinforcement layer can be larger than a diameter of the wire in a distal portion of the reinforcement layer. In some instances, the diameter of the wire tapers from the proximal portion to the distal portion. | 12-05-2013 |
| 20130331821 | SILICONE RUBBER-BASED HARDENING RESIN COMPOSITION, MOLDED ARTICLE, AND MEDICAL TUBE - The present invention provides a silicone rubber-based hardening composition which can produce a silicone rubber having excellent tensile strength and tear strength, a molded article which is made using the silicone rubber-based hardening composition, and a medical tube which is obtained by using the molded article, and the silicone rubber-based hardening composition according to the present invention contains linear organopolysiloxane having a vinyl group (A); linear organohydrogen polysiloxane (B); and silica filler (C) of which the surface is treated with a silane coupling agent having a trimethylsilyl group. | 12-12-2013 |
| 20130338640 | High Flow Rate Dialysis Catheters and Related Methods - High flow rate catheters, and related methods, are useful in dialysis and other procedures. A catheter according to the invention comprises a hub and a generally elongated conduit. The conduit has a substantially continuous and smooth wall. The conduit also defines at least one lumen and has a length extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the conduit. The proximal end is coupled to a hub and the distal end has an opening in communication with the lumen. The conduit has a conical shape which tapers along the length. | 12-19-2013 |
| 20140005638 | INTRODUCEER ASSEMBLY AND SHEATH THEREFOR | 01-02-2014 |
| 20140005639 | Stiffening Assembly | 01-02-2014 |
| 20140018776 | JOINT RING, BENDING TUBE OF ENDOSCOPE, ENDOSCOPE, AND MANUFACTURING METHOD FOR JOINT RING FOR ENDOSCOPE BENDING TUBE - A joint-ring for an endoscope-bending-tube that fits with and is fixed to a rigid-member on a distal end side, the joint-ring being formed by plastically deforming a tube-material, the joint-ring including a joint-ring-convex portion provided in the tube-material before the plastic deformation, configured to fit with distal end rigid concave portions of the distal end rigid-member to perform positioning, and protrudingly provided to the distal end side, a plastically deformed shape portion provided in the joint-ring such that an axial direction position thereof overlaps the joint-ring-convex-portion and formed by force of stretching along a circumferential surface in the plastic deformation, and joint-ring-convex-portions provided in the tube-material before the plastic deformation near both sides in the circumferential direction of the joint-ring-convex-portion to interrupt the force of stretching along the circumferential surface to keep the force from reaching the joint-ring-convex-portion to thereby prevent deformation of the joint-ring-convex-portion due to the plastic deformation. | 01-16-2014 |
| 20140039464 | CATHETER - A catheter includes a first opening portion positioned at a distal end; a first curved portion positioned proximally of the first opening portion, and is curved in a first direction; a second curved portion positioned proximally of the first curved portion, and is curved in a second direction; an intermediate portion provided between the first curved portion and the second curved portion; and a second opening portion formed in the intermediate portion. In a transverse sectional view of the intermediate portion, the first direction and the second direction are directions directed towards a first side of the intermediate portion. In addition, in the transverse sectional view of the intermediate portion, the second opening portion opens in a third direction directed towards a second side of the intermediate portion that is opposite to the first side. | 02-06-2014 |
| 20140052107 | GUIDEWIRE WITH AN IMPROVED FLEXURAL RIGIDITY PROFILE - Medical devices and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. An example medical device may include a guidewire. The guidewire may include a core wire having a distal portion. A tubular member may be disposed over the distal portion. The tubular member may have a plurality of slots formed therein and may have a longitudinal axis. The tubular member may include a variably spaced slot section that has a flexural rigidity that varies from a first flexural rigidity to a second flexural rigidity. The transition from the first flexural rigidity to the second flexural rigidity may be a function of a fourth power equation. The first flexural rigidity may be in the range of about 1×10 | 02-20-2014 |
| 20140114287 | CATHETERS WITH ENHANCED FLEXIBILITY AND ASSOCIATED DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS - A neuromodulation catheter includes an elongate shaft and a neuromodulation element. The shaft includes two or more first cut shapes and two or more second cut shapes along a helical path extending around a longitudinal axis of the shaft. The first cut shapes are configured to at least partially resist deformation in response to longitudinal compression and tension on the shaft and torsion on the shaft in a first circumferential direction. The second cut shapes are configured to at least partially resist deformation in response to longitudinal compression on the shaft and torsion on the shaft in both first and second opposite circumferential directions. | 04-24-2014 |
| 20140114288 | CATHETERS WITH ENHANCED FLEXIBILITY AND ASSOCIATED DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS - A neuromodulation catheter includes an elongate shaft and a neuromodulation element. The shaft includes two or more first cut shapes and two or more second cut shapes along a helical path extending around a longitudinal axis of the shaft. The first cut shapes are configured to at least partially resist deformation in response to longitudinal compression and tension on the shaft and torsion on the shaft in a first circumferential direction. The second cut shapes are configured to at least partially resist deformation in response to longitudinal compression on the shaft and torsion on the shaft in both first and second opposite circumferential directions. | 04-24-2014 |
| 20140135736 | COAXIAL BI-DIRECTIONAL CATHETER - A deflectable catheter including an outer member having a proximal portion and a distal portion, an elongated column member extending distally from the outer member and an inner member positioned coaxial with the outer member and attached to the column member. The inner member extends distally of the outer member and has a distal tip portion. A reinforcement member is positioned over the column member to restrict axial movement of the column member such that when one of the inner member or outer member is moved with respect to the other, axial compression of the column member is restricted by the reinforcement member causing the distal tip portion of the inner member to deflect laterally. | 05-15-2014 |
| 20140180255 | DISTAL CATHETER TIPS AND FORMATION THEREOF - The present disclosure provides various embodiments of products for a tapered catheter tip and methods of forming a tapered distal tip for a catheter. An exemplary tapered catheter tip of the invention includes a proximal segment, a distal segment, and a midsection there between. The midsection includes at least two tip materials in an overlapping configuration and the distal segment includes one of the at least two tip materials. | 06-26-2014 |
| 20140188081 | FLEXIBLE TUBE FOR ENDOSCOPE AND ENDOSCOPE - A flexible tubular portion for an endoscope having a central axis includes a spiral tube, an outer layer covering the outside of the spiral tube, and an inhibiting portion. The spiral tube includes, along the longitudinal direction of the central axis, a closely wound portion to which an initial tension is applied, and sparsely wound portions provided on the distal side and the proximal side of the closely wound portion. The inhibiting portion inhibits the movement of at least a part of the sparsely wound portions relative to the outer layer in the longitudinal direction of the spiral tube. | 07-03-2014 |
| 20140207114 | DOUBLE HELIX REINFORCED CATHETER - The intravascular catheter has a polymeric inner tube, a reinforcing inner jacket which is spirally wound over the inner tube and which becomes progressively softer from a proximal end to a distal end, and a polymeric outer sheath extruded over the inner jacket. The reinforcing jacket includes helical coiled wires wound over the inner tube in order to provide improved multi-axial mechanical properties. | 07-24-2014 |
| 20140236123 | Elastic Introducer Sheath - An elastic percutaneous elastic introducer sheath is disclosed which can locally expand and reduce to accommodate a transcatheter medical device. The elastic introducer sheath includes a non-circumferentially continuous elastic frame, a liner, and a jacket. | 08-21-2014 |
| 20140249510 | STEERABLE CATHETER HAVING INTERMEDIATE STIFFNESS TRANSITION ZONE - A flexible, steerable intravascular catheter includes an elongate flexible shaft having a heterogeneous or multi-zone stiffness profile or structure. A first or distal portion of the catheter shaft may have a substantially constant or distinct stiffness or flexibility, a second, intermediate or transition section is proximal relative to, and less flexible than, the first section, and a third section is proximal relative to, and also less more flexible than, the first section. The third section also includes a substantially constant or distinct stiffness or flexibility. The flexibility or stiffness of the second section varies along its length, e.g., in a substantially linear, step-like or ramp-like manner to provide a smooth or gradual transition between the stiffness of the first or distal section and the flexibility or stiffness of the third or proximal section. | 09-04-2014 |
| 20140276642 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR AN ADJUSTABLE STIFFNESS CATHETER - Apparatus and methods for an endovascular catheter that can be inserted within tortuous body anatomies and then selectively stiffened and fixed in place. In a particular embodiment, this stiffness is reversible. The stiffness or a comparable mechanical characteristic of the catheter assembly may be adjusted to a relatively low value during insertion (so that it easily navigates a guide wire or the like), and then subsequently adjusted to a relatively high value in situ to keep the catheter assembly substantially fixed in place (i.e., during delivery of an interventional device). | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140336621 | CATHETER WITH COMPOSITE STIFFENER - A catheter comprising an elongate tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a passageway defining a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends. The elongate tubular member comprises a relatively stiff proximal section and a relatively flexible distal section. The proximal section includes an inner tubular liner, a first stiffener comprising a metal alloy, and a second stiffener comprising a non-metal alloy. The first and second stiffeners are coaxially wound exterior to the proximal inner liner. The distal section includes a distal inner tubular liner and the second stiffener coaxially wound exterior to the distal inner liner. The first stiffener terminates before reaching the distal section. | 11-13-2014 |
| 20140371722 | METHODS OF MANUFACTURING FLEXIBLE POLYMERIC MEDICAL SPIRAL TUBINGS, TUBINGS MADE BY THE METHODS AND USES OF THE TUBINGS - Methods of manufacturing a length of a flexible polymeric medical tubing of the kind comprising a tubing member defining a lumen, which tubing member is surrounded by spiral convolutions along at least a part of the length of the proximal section and/or the distal section, and which medical tubing has a proximal convoluted section and a distal convoluted section, is disclosed, as well as medical tubings obtained by the methods and their uses. One method comprises the steps of providing a medical tubing wherein the proximal section and the distal section have substantially uniform initial pitch (P | 12-18-2014 |
| 20150313449 | HIGHLY ARTICULATED ROBOTIC PROBES AND METHODS OF PRODUCTION AND USE OF SUCH PROBES - A highly articulated robotic probe comprises an outer sleeve and an inner core. The outer sleeve and inner core include a plurality of links. The links of the outer sleeve and inner core are configured to pivot relative to one another. Various characteristics of the links determine the overall pivot angle of the articulated probe. Each of the plurality of links may have one or more channels. The channels form a semi-continuous passage from link to link and are configured to receive an elongated member such as an inner core, tool or cable. One or more cables may be used to control the outer links of the outer sleeve and the inner links of the inner core. Various characteristics of the cables determine the overall performance of the articulated probe. | 11-05-2015 |
| 20150320969 | VARIABLE STIFFNESS MULTILAYER CATHETER TUBING - A catheter body having a variable stiffness along its longitudinal length and a method for manufacturing same is disclosed wherein an inner layer having an uninterrupted length serves as a backbone for segments of coextrusion of, e.g., Pebax or nylon and a tie layer which are then bonded to the backbone to create a multi-stiffness catheter body. | 11-12-2015 |
| 20160030712 | INSERTION DEVICE FOR INSERTION OF A MEDICAL IMPLANT - An insertion device for the insertion of a medical implant into a human and/or animal body. The device has at least one outer shaft, which has a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end. A receiving element is connected to the outer shaft, for the implant. The outer shaft and the receiving element are surrounded at a transition between the outer shaft and receiving element by a locally placed sleeve, which dampens mechanical tensile and/or compressive stresses. | 02-04-2016 |
| 20160058972 | Treatment Fluid Delivery Method, And Turbulator For Promoting Uptake Of A Treatment Agent - A turbulator for promoting mixing of fluids passing through a body lumen includes an elongate flow perturbing component and an elongate shape controlling component freely slidable within the flow perturbing component. The turbulator is adjustable from a low profile, lumen access configuration to a deployed configuration via sliding the shape controlling component within the flow perturbing component. Adjusting the turbulator within a body lumen of a patient induces turbulence within a flow of fluid passing through the body lumen to increase mixing of a treatment fluid with the body fluid by way of the induced turbulence. | 03-03-2016 |
| 20160101261 | CATHETER TIP - Catheters and related methods for supporting a guidewire or delivering an agent through a vessel stenosis or other tortuous anatomy are disclosed. A catheter can comprise an elongate shaft body and a polymer tip member disposed at a distal end of the shaft body. The shaft body and the tip member can include a liner, one or both of a braid member or a coil member surrounding the liner, and a polymer cover surrounding the braid member or the coil member. The tip member can further include one or more filaments extending from a position overlapping, underlapping, or abutting a distal end of the braid member or the coil member on their proximal ends to a position distal to the braid member or the coil member on their distal ends. The one or more filaments can include a plurality of filaments arranged in a series of contacting helical windings about the liner, the braid member, or the coil member. | 04-14-2016 |
| 20190143022 | High Flow Rate Dialysis Catheters and Related Methods | 05-16-2019 |
