US6761703B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Catheter incorporating a high column high column strength distal tip region
Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed Inc
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Filing: 2001-07-03
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Granted: 2004-07-13
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Expires: 2021-07-03
Abstract
Abstract A catheter is disclosed providing a balloon catheter having a distal tip that is flexible while additionally incorporating high column strength. The present invention additionally provides a distal tip region that accommodates for various sized guidewires. In preferred embodiments, the distal tip region is initially configured for accommodating the passage of 0.12-inch guidewires only. Through specific manufacturing processes, however, the distal tip is modified so that it also may be expanded to accommodate the passage of 0.14-inch guidewires. In additional preferred embodiments, an elastomeric sleeve is disposed over the modified distal tip to allow the tip to return to the initial 0.12-inch accommodating profile when the larger 0.14-inch guidewire is withdrawn from the catheter.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul J. Miller
- 👤 Tracee E. J. Eidenschink
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:31
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/0067; A61M25/0074; A61M25/008; A61M25/10; A61M25/104; A61M2025/1043; A61M2025/1093; A61M25/0021; A61M25/0023
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
A balloon catheter assembly comprising: an outer tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end; an inner tubular member coaxially disposed within at least a portion of the outer tubular member having a proximal portion and a distal portion with a lumen extending therethrough, the proximal portion of the inner tubular member having a first column stiffness and a first flexibility, the distal portion of the inner tubular member having a second column stiffness similar to the first column stiffness and a second flexibility greater than the first flexibility, the distal portion of the inner tubular member having a longitudinal cut with ends abutting to form a tapered tip being expandable from a first outer diameter to a second outer diameter wherein the first diameter is smaller than the second diameter; and an inflatable balloon having a proximal end affixed proximate the distal end of the outer tubular member, and a distal end affixed proximate the distal portion of the expandable tubular member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
165 words
A balloon catheter assembly comprising: an outer tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end; an inner tubular member coaxially disposed within at least a portion of the outer tubular member having a proximal portion and a distal portion with a lumen extending therethrough, the proximal portion of the inner tubular member having a first column stiffness and a first flexibility, the distal portion of the inner tubular member having a second column stiffness similar to the first column stiffness and a second flexibility greater than the first flexibility, the distal portion of the inner tubular member having a longitudinal cut with ends abutting to form a tapered tip being expandable from a first outer diameter to a second outer diameter wherein the first diameter is smaller than the second diameter; and an inflatable balloon having a proximal end affixed proximate the distal end of the outer tubular member, and a distal end affixed proximate the distal portion of the expandable tubular member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The balloon catheter assembly of claim 1 , wherein the distal portion of the inner tubular member includes at least one longitudinally extending slit through a wall thereof along at least a portion of the length of the distal portion of the inner tubular member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The balloon catheter assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one longitudinally extending slit extends along at least a portion of the length of the inner tubular member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The balloon catheter assembly of claim 1 , wherein at least part of the distal portion of the inner tubular member tapers distally.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The balloon catheter assembly of claim 1 , wherein the distal portion of the inner tubular member expands from an inner diameter of about 0.012 inches to an inner diameter of about 0.024 inches.
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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) | 2007-07-13 | 2008-01-12 | 2008-07-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-07-13 | 2012-01-12 | 2012-07-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-07-13 | 2016-01-12 | 2016-07-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |