MULTI-FILAR CATHETER BODY CONSTRUCTION

1 . A catheter, comprising:

a catheter tube defining:

a proximal end;

a distal end;

a longitudinal axis;

a lumen therethrough; and

a first zone having a first cut pattern segment therein,

wherein the first cut pattern segment defines a plurality of first spiral cuts spaced around a circumference of the tube,

wherein each of the plurality of first spiral cuts defines a width between 0.015 mm and 0.040 mm,

wherein each of the plurality of first spiral cuts is spaced from an adjacent cut by a filar having a width between 0.015 mm and 0.125 mm, and

wherein each of the plurality of first spiral cuts defines a pitch angle with the longitudinal axis between 30 degrees and 70 degrees.

2 . The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the first zone has a stiffness between approximately 0.1 gF/mm and approximately 0.75 gF/mm.

3 . The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of first spiral cuts includes between 10 and 40 cuts.

4 . The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the first zone has a length between 1 mm and 100 mm.

5 . The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the catheter tube is constructed from a nitinol and has a wall thickness between approximately 0.0254 mm and approximately 0.254 mm.

6 . The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the catheter tube is constructed from an inconel and has a wall thickness between approximately 0.0254 mm and approximately 0.254 mm.

7 . The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the catheter tube is constructed from stainless steel and has a wall thickness between approximately 0.0254 mm and approximately 0.254 mm.

8 . The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the distal end includes a tip segment having a plurality of helical segments extending around the longitudinal axis.

9 . The catheter of claim 8 , wherein each helical segment includes two substantially parallel filars connected at distal ends thereof.

10 . The catheter of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of helical segments includes at least 2 helical segments.

11 . The catheter of claim 1 , further comprising a polymer liner disposed within the lumen.

12 . The catheter of claim 1 , further comprising a polymer jacket disposed around the outer diameter of the cut tube.

13 . The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the catheter tube further comprises a second zone having a second cut pattern segment therein,

wherein the second cut pattern segment defines a plurality of second cuts spaced around a circumference of the tube,

wherein each of the plurality of second cuts defines a width between 0.015 mm and 0.04 mm,

wherein each of the plurality of second cuts is spaced from an adjacent cut by a filar having a width between 0.015 mm and 0.125 mm, and

wherein each of the plurality of second cuts defines a pitch angle with the longitudinal axis between 45 degrees and 55 degrees.

14 . The catheter of claim 13 , wherein the second zone is located proximal of the first zone.

15 . The catheter of claim 13 , wherein the second zone has a stiffness between approximately 0.75 gF/mm and approximately 1.25 gF/mm.

16 . The catheter of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of second cuts includes between 1 and 40 cuts.

17 . The catheter of claim 13 , wherein the second zone has a length between 1 mm and 100 mm.

18 . A catheter, comprising:

a catheter tube defining:

a proximal end;

a distal end;

a longitudinal axis;

a lumen therethrough; and

a first zone having a first cut pattern segment therein,

wherein the first cut pattern segment defines a plurality of first cuts spaced around a circumference of the tube,

wherein the plurality of first cuts includes between 16 and 24 cuts,

wherein each of the plurality of first cuts defines a pitch angle with the longitudinal axis between 60 degrees and 70 degrees; and

a second zone having a second cut pattern segment therein,

wherein the second cut pattern segment defines a plurality of second cuts spaced around a circumference of the tube,

wherein the plurality of second cuts includes between 16 and 24 cuts,

wherein each of the plurality of second cuts defines a pitch angle with the longitudinal axis between 45 degrees and 55 degrees.

19 . A catheter, comprising:

a catheter tube defining:

a proximal end;

a distal end;

a longitudinal axis;

a lumen therethrough;

a first zone having a first cut pattern segment therein, wherein the first cut pattern segment defines a plurality of first cuts spaced around a circumference of the tube; and

wherein the distal end includes a tip segment having a plurality of helical segments extending around the longitudinal axis, wherein each helical segment includes two substantially parallel filars connected at distal ends thereof.

20 .- 88 . (canceled)