Catheter Imaging Systems, Inc.

Other

David G Lincoln

Phillip Jack Snoke

David S Rowley

Kirk William Charles

The catheter is formed by a housing having a size and shape which fits readily into the hand of the user. An elongate tube is connected to and extends from the housing. The elongate tube is formed from a flexible polymeric material and constructed of three portions, a proximal portion, a medial portion, and a distal portion. Each of the portions is coaxial with one another and the longitudinal axis of the catheter housing. In addition, each of the portions has substantially the same outer circumference. The proximal and distal portions are formed of a flexible polymeric material which has a higher durometer of hardness than that of the medial portion. A pair of control wires extend longitudinally through the proximal, medial, and distal portions and parallel to the axis of the coaxial portions for selectively bending the portions in response to movement of the control wires. A control wheel is carried by the housing for controlling the movement of the control wires to thereby bend the selected portions and remotely manipulate the catheter within a human body. At least one lumen extends from the catheter body through each of the proximal, medial and distal portions of the elongate tube to form a working channel therein.

Catheter having a multiple durometer

The catheter has a housing of such a size as to be readily held in the hand of the user, and a tubular proximal portion connected to and extending from the housing. The proximal portion is formed of a flexible polymeric material. The distal portion is coaxial with and is adjacent to the proximal portion. The distal portion is also formed of a flexible polymeric material and it has substantially the same outer circumference as the proximal portion. The distal portion is more flexible than the medial portion. A pair of control wires extend longitudinally through the proximal and distal portions and parallel to the axis of the coaxial portions for bending the flexible portions in response to movement of the control wires. A control is carried by the housing for controlling the movement of the control wires to thereby bend the flexible portions and remotely manipulate the catheter within a human body.

Method of forming a catheter having a multiple durometer

A catheter for use in body vessels or cavities has a housing of such size as to be readily held in the hand of a user and elongate tube means having one end connected to the housing and extending outwardly therefrom and being formed of material of such a stiffness so as to maintain the elongate tube means in straight condition in the absence of an external force applied thereto, an outer end portion of the elongate tube means being flexible. Guide wires are connected to the housing by the inner ends thereof and extend outwardly therefrom through the elongate tube means. The outer ends of the guide wires are connected to the flexible outer end portion of the elongate tube means. Guide wire control means is carried by the housing and cooperates with the inner end portions of the guide wires for controlling the angular attitude of the flexible outer end portion of the elongate tube means.

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Smyrna, GA, United States of America

David G Lincoln