Catheter devices and methods for making them
Catheters, sheaths, or other tubular devices are provided that include a proximal end, a distal end sized for introduction into a patient's body, and a steerable distal portion. The tubular device includes a primary lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends; an auxiliary lumen adjacent the primary lumen; and one or more reinforcement members including windings extending helically along at least the distal portion, at least some of the windings passing between the primary and steering element lumens and at least some of the windings surrounding both the primary and steering element lumens. In one embodiment, a steering element is slidably disposed within the auxiliary lumen. Apparatus and methods for making such tubular devices are also provided.
1 . A tubular device for a catheter or, the tubular device comprising:
a proximal end and a distal end sized for introduction into a patient's body;
a central lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end;
an auxiliary lumen extending at least partially between the proximal end and the distal end adjacent the central lumen;
an elongate member received within the auxiliary lumen;
one or more reinforcement members comprising windings extending helically around the central lumen at least partially between the proximal end and the distal end; and
one or more layers surrounding the one or more reinforcement members,
wherein the tubular device comprises a first portion in which at least some of the windings pass between the central lumen and the elongate member and at least some of the windings surround both the central lumen and the elongate member, and a second portion in which either a) all of the windings surround both the central lumen and the elongate member or b) all of the windings surround the central lumen and the elongate member is disposed outside the windings.
2 . The tubular device of claim 1 , further comprising one or more additional auxiliary lumens.
3 . The tubular device of claim 2 , wherein the tubular member includes a pair of auxiliary lumens provided on opposite sides of the central lumen, each auxiliary lumen including an elongate member therein.
4 . The tubular device of claim 3 , wherein the pair of auxiliary lumens are offset about one hundred eighty degrees (180°) around the circumference of the tubular member.
5 . The tubular device of claim 1 , wherein, along the second portion, all of the windings surround both the central lumen and the elongate member.
6 . The tubular device of claim 5 , wherein the tubular device further comprises a third portion adjacent the first portion in which a) at least some of the windings pass between the central lumen and the elongate member and at least some of the windings surround both the central lumen and the elongate member, or b) all of the windings surround the central lumen and the elongate member is disposed outside the windings.
7 . The tubular device of claim 1 , wherein, along the second portion, all of the windings surround the central lumen and the elongate member is disposed outside the windings.
8 . The tubular device of claim 7 , wherein the tubular device further comprises a third portion adjacent the first portion in which a) at least some of the windings pass between the central lumen and the elongate member and at least some of the windings surround both the central lumen and the elongate member, or b) all of the windings surround the central lumen and the elongate member is disposed outside the windings.
9 . The tubular device of claim 1 , wherein the central lumen is substantially aligned around a central longitudinal axis extending between the proximal end and the distal end, and wherein the auxiliary lumen is offset radially from the central axis.
10 . The tubular device of claim 1 , wherein the elongate member comprises a steering element and wherein the steering element is coupled to the distal end, the steering element configured to apply an axial force to a distal portion of the tubular device and thereby generate a bending moment to bend the distal portion.
11 . The tubular device of claim 1 , wherein the elongate member comprises a steering element, the tubular device further comprising a pull wire ring adjacent the distal end and wherein a distal end of the steering element is coupled to the pull wire ring.
12 . The tubular device of claim 11 , wherein the reinforcement members are braided around only the central lumen at a distal portion of the tubular member.
13 . The tubular device of claim 11 , wherein the reinforcement members terminate at or near a distal edge of the pull wire ring with the pull wire ring constraining the reinforcement members and a jacket and/or tip is bonded, laminated, reflowed or otherwise attached over beyond the pull wire ring.
14 . The tubular device of claim 1 , wherein the elongate member comprises an elongate conductor.
15 . The tubular device of claim 14 , further comprising one or more sensors or electrodes on a distal portion of the tubular member adjacent the distal end, the conductor coupled to the one or more sensors or electrodes.
16 . The tubular device of claim 15 , wherein the distal portion comprises the first portion of the tubular device.
17 . The tubular device of claim 16 , wherein the conductor comprises one or more segments that transition outside the reinforcement layer, the one or more segments coupled to the one or more sensors or electrodes.
18 . The tubular device of claim 14 , further comprising a plurality of electrodes spaced apart on a distal portion of the tubular member adjacent the distal end, the conductor coupled to the plurality of electrodes.
19 . The tubular device of claim 18 , wherein the distal portion comprises the first portion of the tubular device.
20 . The tubular member of claim 1 , wherein the elongate member comprises a steering element slidably received in the auxiliary lumen.