Medtronic Percusurge, Inc.

Percusurge, Inc.

Juan T Domingo

Celso J Bagaoisan

Isaac J Kim

Ketan P Muni

Hung V Ha

Gholam-Reza Zadno-Azizi

Sivette Lam

Samuel L Omaleki

Jefferey C Bleam

Andres D Tomas

Patel Mukund

A balloon catheter having improved flexibility in and about its distal end is provided. The flexibility of the catheter is determined in part by improving the properties of a wire or catheter located within the area where the balloon is mounted. In one aspect of the present invention, connecting wires extend through the balloon from the distal end of a catheter body to the proximal end of a core wire. The core wire extends distally away from the connecting wires and the catheter body. In another aspect of the present invention, a core wire is provided having a proximal end extending within the balloon into the catheter tubular body but is not mounted therein. This allows the proximal end of the core wire to &ldquo;float&rdquo; within the tubular body, such that when the catheter is advanced through the vasculature of a patient, the core wire may move longitudinally within the tubular body. In another aspect of the present invention, the balloon is mounted over a tubular body which is configured to give the catheter longitudinal flexibility.

Flexible catheter

The present invention provides an improved core wire for use in a medical catheter. In one aspect, the invention provides a core wire with a shapeable tip and method of using the same. A core wire previously made superelastic is subject to additional processing to remove its superelasticity thereby allowing the material to be shapeable to aid in advancing the core wire through a blood vessel or other body cavities. In another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for securing the core wire to the distal end of an elongated catheter tubular body. The tubular body is mechanically crimped onto the core wire to secure the core wire in place. This crimping method has been found to increase the strength of the bond between the core wire and the catheter tube so that greater pull force is required to break the core wire off from the catheter.

Core wire with shapeable tip

The present invention provides an improved core wire for use in a medical catheter. In one aspect, the invention provides a core wire with a shapeable tip and method of manufacturing the same. A core wire previously made superelastic is subject to additional processing to remove its superelasticity thereby allowing the material to be shapeable to aid in advancing the core wire through a blood vessel or other body cavities. In another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for securing the core wire to the distal end of an elongated catheter tubular body. The tubular body is mechanically crimped onto the core wire to secure the core wire in place. This crimping method has been found to increase the strength of the bond between the core wire and the catheter tube so that greater pull force is required to break the core wire off from the catheter.

Disclosed herein is an improved core wire for use in a medical catheter. In one aspect, a tapering core wire is incorporated into the distal end of a catheter. The catheter has a tubular body. Both ends of an inflatable balloon are mounted to the tubular body. The core wire extends from the distal end of the tubular body. In one embodiment, substantially all of the taper of the core wire occurs in the extending portion of the core wire over a length of at least 15 mm but no more than 60 mm. In another aspect, a core wire with a shapeable tip and method of manufacturing the same are provided. A core wire previously made superelastic is subject to additional processing to remove its superelasticity thereby allowing the material to be shapeable to aid in advancing the core wire through a blood vessel or other body cavities. In another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for securing the core wire to the distal end of an elongated catheter tubular body. The tubular body is mechanically crimped onto the core wire to secure the core wire in place. This crimping method has been found to increase the strength of the bond between the core wire and the catheter tube so that greater pull force is required to break the core wire off from the catheter.

Catheter core wire

Disclosed herein is a compliant catheter balloon with an improved elastic response and reduced longitudinal expansion, and a method of forming the same. The balloon comprises a SEBS block copolymer, which is longitudinally pre-stretched during the balloon manufacture process. In order to control the working length of a balloon on a catheter, at least one adhesive stop is provided on the catheter which prevents adhesive from wicking into the working length of the balloon. Preferably, a pair of thermoset tubings with an outer diameter size close to the size of the inner diameter of the balloon are inserted on the distal portion of the catheter. After the proper placement of the balloon, the adhesive is applied at the balloon's proximal and distal ends. As the adhesive wicks to the balloon, the thermoset tubings will eventually stop the adhesive to prevent further wicking of adhesive into the balloon's working length. In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a balloon catheter to improve centering of the balloon on the catheter. After a balloon tubing is stretched, the stretched tubing is clamped to a fixture and stabilized at about 100&deg; C. for 15 minutes. This stabilization step ensures that a balloon mounted on a catheter will inflate in a uniform manner.

Growing community of inventors

Union City, CA, United States of America

Juan T Domingo