Medical devices
A medical device, such as, for example, a catheter, includes a tubular member having a first portion having a shape memory polymer.
1 . A medical catheter, comprising:
a tubular member having a first portion comprising a shape memory polymer.
2 . The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the first portion is a distal portion of the tubular member.
3 . The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the first portion is a distalmost portion of the tubular member.
4 . The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the shape memory polymer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of a polynorbonene, a polycaprolactone, a polycyclooctene, a polycyclooctene/styrene butadiene blend, and a polyvinyl acetate/polyvinylidinefluoride.
5 . The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the first portion further comprises a material susceptible to heating by magnetic effects.
6 . The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the tubular member has a body comprising a polymer different than the shape memory polymer.
7 . The catheter of claim 6 , wherein an end of the body is connected to an end of the first portion.
8 . The catheter of claim 6 , wherein the first portion surrounds a portion of the body.
9 . The catheter of claim 1 , in the form of a 5 French catheter or smaller.
10 . The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the first portion further comprises a radiopaque material.
11 . The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the first portion further comprises a material visible by magnetic resonance imaging.
12 . The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the first portion further comprises an ultrasound contrast agent.
13 . A method, comprising:
introducing a catheter to a target site, the catheter having a distal portion is a first configuration; and
changing the distal portion from the first configuration to a second configuration.
14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein changing the distal portion comprises heating the distal portion.
15 . The method of claim 13 , wherein changing the distal portion comprises applying radiofrequency energy to the distal portion.
16 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the distal portion is the distalmost portion of the catheter.
17 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the target site is proximate an aneurysm.
18 . The method of claim 13 further comprising passing a medical device through the catheter.
19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the medical device is a vaso-occlusive device.
20 . The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the polymer is non-absorbable in a body.
21 . The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the polymer is absorbable in a body.
22 . A method, comprising:
forming a catheter including a shape memory polymer before inserting the catheter into a body, the catheter having a distal portion in a first configuration; and
changing the distal portion from the first configuration to a second configuration.
23 . The method of claim 22 , wherein the method is performed by a physician.
24 . The method of claim 22 , comprising heating the polymer.