The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 28, 2000
Filed:
Jun. 10, 1997
Lex P Jansen, Pleasanton, CA (US);
Peter Kyone Park, Santa Clara, CA (US);
Gene Samson, Milpitas, CA (US);
Henry Nita, Milpitas, CA (US);
Erik T Engelson, Menlo Park, CA (US);
Target Therapeutics, Inc., Fremont, CA (US);
Abstract
This is a catheter suitable for accessing a tissue target within the body, typically a target which is accessible through the vascular system. Central to the concept of the catheter is the use of a reinforcing member wound within the catheter body in such a way to create a catheter having an exceptionally thin wall, excellent kink-resistance, and controlled stiffness. The catheter assembly desirably is constructed of: (a) an inner, polymeric, lubricious liner, (b) a first, helically wound coil over at least the more distal portions of the inner liner, (c) a second, helically wound coil exterior to the first coil located at least on the more proximal portion of the assembly, and (d) one or more outer polymeric coverings exterior to the second coil. Further polymeric layers may also be placed between the outer polymeric covering and the helically wound coils. The outer polymeric covering may be composed of a series of different polymeric compositions to provide suitably differing flexibilities to the assembly. The catheter assembly is quite easy to produce. The helically wound coils are desirably bound to the assembly via the use of radio-opaque bands or coils and preferably are continuously wound from a single member. The distal-most portion of the catheter assembly is very flexible but highly kink resistant.