ELASTIC GUIDE CATHETER TRANSITION ELEMENT

摘要

A guiding catheter (40) for use in coronary angioplasty and other cardiovascular interventions which incorporates a transition element (22) in the shaft (11) of the device. The transition element (22) which has a different flexibility than the sections immediately proximal and distal to it, creates a zone in the catheter shaft (11) which is either more or less flexible than the rest of the shaft (11). The transition element (22) allows a portion of the shaft (11) to be made more rigid or more flexible, without changing the flexibility of the other portions of the shaft (11). The transition element (22) also allows for a differential flexibility to be added to the catheter shaft (11).