Intravascular ultrasound catheter

摘要

An intravascular ultrasound catheter may include a central lumen adapted to receive a drive shaft bearing an ultrasound transducer. The intravascular ultrasound catheter may in some instances exhibit improved flexibility. The catheter can include an inner polymeric layer, an outer polymeric layer and a spiral-cut hypotube that is positioned between the inner polymeric layer and the outer polymeric layer.

主权项

1. An intravascular ultrasound catheter having a distal portion and a proximal portion, the catheter comprising:
an inner polymeric layer, the inner polymeric layer having a plurality of apertures formed therein; an outer polymeric layer; and a spiral-cut hypotube, the spiral-cut hypotube positioned between the inner polymeric layer and the outer polymeric layer and extending from the distal portion to the proximal portion of the catheter, the spiral-cut hypotube having a distal end; wherein the spiral-cut hypotube has a pitch having a rate of change that is dependent upon a distance from the distal end of the hypotube.