Patent US5573520A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5573520A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flexible tubular device for use in medical applications
Assignee: Mayo Clinic in Florida
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Filing: 1994-10-26
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Granted: 1996-11-12
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Expires: 2014-10-26
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for use as a catheter, a guidewire, a catheter sheath for use with catheter introducers or a drug infusion catheter/guidewire. The apparatus includes a flexible tubular member with an encasing covering the tubular member that creates a fluid-tight seal around the periphery of the tubular member. The tubular member is self-supporting and includes a plurality of apertures therein in a predetermined configuration to increase the flexibility of the tubular member.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert S. Schwartz
- 👤 David R. Holmes
- 👤 Frederick S. Halverson
- 👤 James V. Donadio, III
- 👤 David Berry
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 11:41
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/0009; A61M25/0013; A61M25/0043; B; B29; B29C; B29C41/00; B29C41/02; B29C41/20; B29C48/00; B29C48/03; B29C48/09; B29C48/15; B29C48/151; B29C48/152; B29C48/153; C; C23; C23F; C23F1/00; C23F1/02; A61M25/01; A61M25/09; A61M2025/09058; A61M2025/09066; A61M2025/091; A61M25/005; A61M25/0051; A61M25/0053; A61M25/0054; A61M25/06; A61M25/0662; B29C48/10; B29L; B29L2023/00; B29L2023/001; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/753; B29L2031/7542
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
49 words
An apparatus for use as a biocompatible medical device for insertion into vessels of the body comprising: a) a self-supporting tube having a plurality of apertures formed therein to increase the flexibility of the tube; and b) an encasing covering the tube so as to provide a fluid-tight seal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
49 words
An apparatus for use as a biocompatible medical device for insertion into vessels of the body comprising: a) a self-supporting tube having a plurality of apertures formed therein to increase the flexibility of the tube; and b) an encasing covering the tube so as to provide a fluid-tight seal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus for use as a biocompatible medical device according to claim 1, wherein the tube is made of metal and the encasing is made of a biocompatible low-friction material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus for use as a biocompatible medical device according to claim 2, wherein the metal is stainless steel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus for use as a biocompatible medical device according to claim 2, wherein the metal is nitinol.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus for use as a biocompatible medical device according to claim 1, wherein the tube includes an inner wall which is coated with a biocompatible low-friction material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus for use as a biocompatible medical device according to claim 1, wherein the configuration of the apertures is varied longitudinally so as to vary the longitudinal and torsional flexibility characteristics along the tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus for use as a biocompatible medical device according to claim 1, wherein the depth of the apertures is varied longitudinally so as to vary the longitudinal and torsional flexibility characteristics along the tube.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus for use as a biocompatible medical device according to claim 1, wherein the apertures extend completely through the tube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus for use as a biocompatible medical device according to claim 1, wherein the apertures include transverse slots.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus for use as a biocompatible medical device according to claim 1, wherein the apertures include longitudinal slots.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus for use as a biocompatible medical device according to claim 1, wherein the tube is continuous.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus for use as a biocompatible medical device according to claim 1, wherein the biocompatible medical device is a catheter.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus for use as a biocompatible medical device according to claim 1, wherein the biocompatible medical device is a catheter sheath.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus for use as a biocompatible medical device according to claim 1, wherein the biocompatible medical device is a catheter sheath introducer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus for use as a biocompatible medical device according to claim 1, wherein the biocompatible medical device is a guidewire.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus for use as a biocompatible medical device according to claim 1, wherein the biocompatible medical device is a fixed core guidewire.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus for use as a biocompatible medical device according to claim 1, wherein the biocompatible medical device is a balloon catheter.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
51 words
An apparatus for use as a biocompatible medical device for insertion into vessels of the body comprising: a) a self-supporting tube having a longitudinally extending spiraled aperture cut therein to increase the flexibility of the tube; and b) an encasing covering the tube so as to provide for a fluid-tight seal.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
51 words
An apparatus for use as a biocompatible medical device for insertion into vessels of the body comprising: a) a self-supporting tube having a longitudinally extending spiraled aperture cut therein to increase the flexibility of the tube; and b) an encasing covering the tube so as to provide for a fluid-tight seal.
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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) | 1999-11-12 | 2000-05-13 | 2000-11-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-11-12 | 2004-05-13 | 2004-11-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-11-12 | 2008-05-13 | 2008-11-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |