US5549580A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Catheter having a flexible distal tip and method of manufacturing
Assignee: Cordis Corp
•
Filing: 1995-01-23
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Granted: 1996-08-27
•
Expires: 2015-01-23
Abstract
Abstract A catheter includes an elongate body defining a core wire having a projection extending radially outwardly adjacent a distal end. The projection may be an enlarged diameter portion of the core wire integrally formed with the core wire. A coil spring covers the distal end and has a proximal end engaging the projection. A tube, such as a tubular portion or leg of a balloon, has a distal end fusibly sealed to the proximal end of the coil spring. Because the coil spring is mechanically secured to the core wire, no solder is needed. In addition, the distal end of the tube further includes heat fused portions thereof filling interstices between adjacent coils of the coil spring and the core wire. The distal end of the tube is fusibly sealed to the coil spring so that adjacent coils of the coil spring are movable relative to one another to define a flexible tip portion for the catheter having substantially uniform flexibility. A method for making the catheter is also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Juan C. Diaz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 21:47
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/10; A61M25/1027; A61M25/1034; A61M25/0067; A61M25/008; A61M25/01; A61M25/09; A61M25/09016; A61M25/09025; A61M2025/09175; A61M25/0068; A61M25/0069; A61M25/1036
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A catheter comprising: an elongate body defining a core wire; a projection extending generally radially outwardly from said core wire adjacent a distal end thereof; a coil spring covering the distal end of said core wire, said coil spring having a proximal end engaging said projection to secure the coil spring to said core wire; and a tube having a lumen and a distal end surrounding the proximal end of said coil spring, the distal end of said tube comprising heat fusible material being fusibly sealed to the proximal end of said coil spring and adjacent portions of the core wire to form a fluid seal for said lumen.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
A catheter comprising: an elongate body defining a core wire; a projection extending generally radially outwardly from said core wire adjacent a distal end thereof; a coil spring covering the distal end of said core wire, said coil spring having a proximal end engaging said projection to secure the coil spring to said core wire; and a tube having a lumen and a distal end surrounding the proximal end of said coil spring, the distal end of said tube comprising heat fusible material being fusibly sealed to the proximal end of said coil spring and adjacent portions of the core wire to form a fluid seal for said lumen.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A catheter according to claim 1 said coil spring comprises a plurality of coils spirally wound about the distal end of said core wire.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A catheter according to claim 2 wherein adjacent coils of said coil spring are movable relative to one another to define a flexible tip portion for the catheter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A catheter according to claim 3 wherein said coil spring has substantially uniform flexibility from the distal end of said tube to the distal end of said coil spring.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A catheter according to claim 2 wherein the distal end of said tube further comprises heat fused portions filling interstices between adjacent coils of said coil spring and said core wire.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A catheter according to claim 1 wherein said projection is generally annularly shaped and is integrally formed with said core wire.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A catheter according to claim 1 wherein the proximal end of said coil spring is deformed radially inwardly adjacent a proximal side of said projection.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A catheter according to claim 1 wherein said tube comprises a balloon surrounding said core wire.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
A catheter according to claim 1 wherein said coil spring comprises a radiopaque material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
91 words
A catheter comprising: an elongate body defining a core wire and having an enlarged diameter portion adjacent a distal end thereof; a coil spring covering the distal end of said core wire, said coil spring having a proximal end surrounding and engaging said enlarged diameter portion of said core wire so as to form an interference fit therewith; and a tube having a lumen surrounding said core wire and having a distal end secured to the proximal end of said coil spring to form a fluid seal at said distal end.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
91 words
A catheter comprising: an elongate body defining a core wire and having an enlarged diameter portion adjacent a distal end thereof; a coil spring covering the distal end of said core wire, said coil spring having a proximal end surrounding and engaging said enlarged diameter portion of said core wire so as to form an interference fit therewith; and a tube having a lumen surrounding said core wire and having a distal end secured to the proximal end of said coil spring to form a fluid seal at said distal end.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
A catheter according to claim 10 wherein said coil spring comprises a plurality of coils spirally wound about the distal end of said core wire.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
A catheter according to claim 11 wherein said tube comprises heat fusible material, and wherein the distal end of said tube is fusibly sealed to the proximal end of said coil spring so as to fill interstices between adjacent coils of said coil spring and said core wire.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
A catheter according to claim 12 wherein adjacent coils of said coil spring are movable relative to one another to define a flexible tip portion for the catheter.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
A catheter according to claim 10 wherein said tube comprises heat fusible material, and wherein the distal end of said tube is fusibly sealed to the proximal end of said coil spring.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
A catheter according to claim 10 wherein said coil spring has substantially uniform flexibility from the distal end of said tube to the distal end of said coil spring.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
A catheter according to claim 10 wherein the proximal end of said coil spring is deformed radially inwardly adjacent a proximal side of the enlarged diameter portion of said core wire.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
A catheter according to claim 10 wherein said tube comprises a balloon surrounding said core wire.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
A catheter according to claim 10 wherein said coil spring comprises a radiopaque material.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
108 words
A catheter comprising: an elongate body defining a core wire; a projection integrally formed with said core wire and extending generally radially outwardly from said core wire adjacent a distal end thereof; a coil spring covering the distal end of said core wire, said coil spring having a proximal end engaging said projection so as to form an interference fit therewith; and a tube having a lumen and a distal end surrounding the proximal end of said coil spring, the distal end of said tube comprising heat fusible material being fusibly sealed to the proximal end of said coil spring to form a fluid seal for said lumen.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
108 words
A catheter comprising: an elongate body defining a core wire; a projection integrally formed with said core wire and extending generally radially outwardly from said core wire adjacent a distal end thereof; a coil spring covering the distal end of said core wire, said coil spring having a proximal end engaging said projection so as to form an interference fit therewith; and a tube having a lumen and a distal end surrounding the proximal end of said coil spring, the distal end of said tube comprising heat fusible material being fusibly sealed to the proximal end of said coil spring to form a fluid seal for said lumen.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
A catheter according to claim 19 wherein said coil spring comprises a plurality of coils spirally wound about the distal end of said core wire.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
33 words
A catheter according to claim 20 wherein the heat fusible material of the distal end said tube further comprises portions filling interstices between adjacent coils of said coil spring and said core wire.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
A catheter according to claim 19 wherein said coil spring has substantially uniform flexibility from the distal end of said tube to the distal end of said coil spring.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
13 words
A catheter according to claim 19 wherein said projection is generally annularly shaped.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
A catheter according to claim 19 wherein the proximal end of said coil spring is deformed radially inwardly adjacent a proximal side of said projection.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
A catheter according to claim 19 wherein said tube comprises a balloon surrounding said core wire.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-08-27 | 2000-02-26 | 2000-08-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-08-27 | 2004-02-26 | 2004-08-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-08-27 | 2008-02-26 | 2008-08-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |