US5899890A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Flow-directed catheter system and method of use
Assignee: Medtronic Vascular Inc
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Filing: 1996-06-21
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Granted: 1999-05-04
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Expires: 2016-06-21
Abstract
Abstract A flow-directed catheter comprises a catheter body having a relatively rigid proximal body segment and a relatively flexible, supple distal body segment. The distal body segment may have a reduced diameter relative to the proximal body segment, at least at its distal tip. Radiopaque markers are provided at the transition between the two body segments and at the tip of the catheter. The radiopaque markers are preferably recessed entirely within the catheter body. Optionally, the distal body segment may have surface irregularities which enhance the ability of the distal body segment to follow blood flow. A flow-directed catheter system comprises the catheter in combination with a coaxial sheath to selectively strengthen at least the proximal of the distal body segment. The catheter may be used for a variety of diagnostic and/or therapeutic procedures.
Inventors
- 👤 Andrew Chiang
- 👤 Mark E. Deem
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 11:36
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/0021; A61M25/01; A61M25/0105; A61M25/0125; A61M2025/0098; A61M25/0043; A61M25/0054; A61M25/0108; A61M25/06; A61M25/0662
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
A flow-directed catheter comprising: a proximal body segment having a proximal end, a distal end, a lumen therethrough, a predetermined flexibility, a predetermined lumen diameter, and a predetermined outside diameter, said proximal segment having substantially constant lumen and outside diameters; and a distal body segment having a proximal end joined to the distal end of the proximal body segment, a distal end, a lumen therethrough, a predetermined flexibility, a predetermined lumen diameter and a predetermined outside diameter smaller than the outside diameter of the proximal segment, said distal segment having substantially constant lumen and outside diameters; wherein the distal body segment is adapted to follow blood flow, the proximal section is sufficiently rigid to provide column strength to manipulate the catheter from the proximal end thereof, and said distal end of the proximal segment is disposed immediately adjacent to the proximal end of the distal body segment and defines a transition region that is tapered to reduce the outer diameter of the proximal body segment to match the outer diameter of the distal body segment.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
A flow-directed catheter comprising: a proximal body segment having a proximal end, a distal end, a lumen therethrough, a predetermined flexibility, a predetermined lumen diameter, and a predetermined outside diameter, said proximal segment having substantially constant lumen and outside diameters; and a distal body segment having a proximal end joined to the distal end of the proximal body segment, a distal end, a lumen therethrough, a predetermined flexibility, a predetermined lumen diameter and a predetermined outside diameter smaller than the outside diameter of the proximal segment, said distal segment having substantially constant lumen and outside diameters; wherein the distal body segment is adapted to follow blood flow, the proximal section is sufficiently rigid to provide column strength to manipulate the catheter from the proximal end thereof, and said distal end of the proximal segment is disposed immediately adjacent to the proximal end of the distal body segment and defines a transition region that is tapered to reduce the outer diameter of the proximal body segment to match the outer diameter of the distal body segment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A catheter as in claim 1, wherein the distal body segment has uniform lumen and outer diameters along its length.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
A catheter as in claim 2, wherein the distal body segment has an outer diameter in the range from 0.33 mm to 1.67 mm and a lumen diameter from 0.1 mm to 1.25 mm and wherein the proximal segment has an outer diameter in the range from 0.67 mm to 1.67 mm and a lumen diameter from 0.2 mm to 1.0 mm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A catheter as in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the body segments includes a radiopaque filler.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A catheter as in claim 4, wherein the filler is disposed or concentrated in a pattern.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
A catheter as in claim 5, wherein the pattern comprises longitudinal stripes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
A catheter as in claim 5, wherein the pattern comprises an annular ring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A catheter as in claim 1, whereas at least a portion of the outer or inner surfaces of the catheter is covered with a hydrophilic material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
92 words
A flow-directed catheter comprising: a proximal body segment having a proximal end, a distal end, a lumen therethrough, a predetermined flexibility, a predetermined lumen diameter, and a predetermined outside diameter; and a distal body segment having a proximal end joined directly to the distal end of the proximal body segment at a junction region, a distal end, a lumen therethrough, a predetermined flexibility, a predetermined lumen diameter and a predetermined outside diameter; and wherein the distal segment is adapted to follow blood flow; and a radiopaque marker located near the junction region.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
92 words
A flow-directed catheter comprising: a proximal body segment having a proximal end, a distal end, a lumen therethrough, a predetermined flexibility, a predetermined lumen diameter, and a predetermined outside diameter; and a distal body segment having a proximal end joined directly to the distal end of the proximal body segment at a junction region, a distal end, a lumen therethrough, a predetermined flexibility, a predetermined lumen diameter and a predetermined outside diameter; and wherein the distal segment is adapted to follow blood flow; and a radiopaque marker located near the junction region.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
A flow-directed catheter as in claim 9, wherein the radiopaque marker is disposed on the distal end of the proximal body segment.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A flow-directed catheter as in claim 10, wherein the radiopaque marker is a metal band recessed in proximal body segment.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
A flow-directed catheter as in claim 11, wherein the radiopaque metal band has an inner surface flush with the lumen of the proximal body segment.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
A catheter as in claim 9, wherein at least a portion of the body segments includes a radiopaque filler.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
A catheter as in claim 13, wherein the filler is disposed or concentrated in a pattern.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
A catheter as in claim 14, wherein the pattern comprises longitudinal stripes.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
A catheter as in claim 9, wherein at least a portion of the outer or inner surfaces of the catheter is covered with a hydrophilic material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
A catheter as in claim 9, wherein the distal body segment is tapered to a smaller diameter in the distal direction.
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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) | 2002-05-03 | 2002-11-02 | 2003-05-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-05-03 | 2006-11-02 | 2007-05-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-05-03 | 2010-11-02 | 2011-05-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |