St Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc

Chad A Thorstenson

Richard E Stehr

Daniel Joe Potter

James D Savage

Xiaoping Guo

Nalin S Perera

Omar Amirana

Vitaliy G Epshteyn

Bruce P Holman

Donald A Sauter

The instant invention relates generally to introducer catheters used to help deliver catheters or other medical devices to locations within the human body. In particular, the instant invention relates to large diameter introducer catheters (introducer catheters with lumens greater than about 6 French) having increased strength, flexibility, and kink resistance. Introducer catheters according to the teachings herein may also include curved distal ends and flared (that is, funnel-like) transition sections within their lumens.

Catheter and method of manufacture

A method of manufacturing a splittable/peelable tubular body of a catheter or sheath wherein the tubular body has a splittable/peelable atraumatic tip is disclosed. The atraumatic tip is generally softer than the tubular body. The tubular body and atraumatic tip each comprise a peel mechanism longitudinally extending along their respective lengths. The peel mechanisms are formed by longitudinally extending regions of interfacial bonding between first and second longitudinally extending strips of polymer material. Each strip forms at least a portion of an outer circumferential surface of the tubular body and atraumatic tip. A region of stress concentration extends along the region of interfacial bonding. The stress concentration facilitates the splitting of the tubular body and atraumatic tip along their respective peel mechanisms.

Method of manufacturing a peelable atraumatic tip and body for a catheter or sheath

A splittable/peelable tubular body () of a catheter or sheath wherein the tubular body () has a splittable/peelable atraumatic tip () is disclosed. The atraumatic tip () is generally softer than the tubular body (). The tubular body () and atraumatic tip () each comprise a peel mechanism longitudinally extending along their respective lengths. The peel mechanisms are formed by longitudinally extending regions of interfacial bonding () between first and second longitudinally extending strips () of polymer material. Each strip () forms at least a portion of an outer circumferential surface of the tubular body () and atraumatic tip (). A region of stress concentration extends along the region of interfacial bonding. The stress concentration facilitates the splitting of the tubular body () and atraumatic tip () along their respective peel mechanisms.

Peelable atraumatic tip and body for a catheter or sheath

A splittable cannula includes a radiopaque marker placed at or near the distal end of the cannula. The radiopaque marker may be a unitary piece, or may consist of several portions. The cannula may include a sheath or catheter body with a grooved score line running along a portion of the sheath body and a radiopaque marker located at a distal end of the body and abutting the body. The radiopaque marker may be located within the lumen of the sheath, may be embedded in the sheath wall, or may be affixed to the external sheath wall. The radiopaque marker may be scored, notched, grooved, or contain apertures longitudinally. The notches, grooves, apertures, and/or score lines in both the sheath or catheter body and the radiopaque marker serve to provide a weakened tear path. An electrode lead may be coupled with the radiopaque marker.

Growing community of inventors

Andover, MN, United States of America

Chad A Thorstenson