Catheter shaft with undulating surface for reduced friction
View Patent ↗A vascular catheter which comprises a catheter shaft, said catheter defining a first surface which is of undulating shape with a plurality of curved peaks, said peaks being spaced so that a second surface in contact with the first surface is spaced from at least a substantial portion of the first surface, to reduce friction of the catheter.
1. A vascular catheter which comprises a tubular catheter shaft, said catheter shaft defining a friction-reducing outer surface which is of undulating shape;
said outer surface having a plurality of curved peaks, deep valleys and lesser valleys;
said peaks being connected to adjacent peaks by said lesser valleys;
said deep valleys defining areas between adjacent peaks;
said peaks being spaced so that a second surface in contact with the friction-reducing outer surface becomes spaced from said deep valleys and said lesser valleys.
2. The catheter of claim 1 in which said peaks are generally spaced apart by 0.005 mm. to 3 mm., measured from center to center of the peaks.
3. The catheter of claim 1 in which the peak heights are generally from 0.005 mm. to 1 mm.
4. The catheter of claim 1 in which said peaks are generally spaced apart by 0.01 mm. to 2 mm., measured from center to center of the peaks.
5. The catheter of claim 4 in which the peak heights are generally from 0.01 mm. to 0.8 mm.