Catheter and method of manufacture

摘要

The instant invention relates generally to introducer catheters used to help deliver catheters or other medical devices to locations within the human body. In particular, the instant invention relates to large diameter introducer catheters (introducer catheters with lumens greater than about 6 French) having increased strength, flexibility, and kink resistance. Introducer catheters according to the teachings herein may also include curved distal ends and flared (that is, funnel-like) transition sections within their lumens.

主权项

1. An introducer catheter having a distal end and a proximal end, comprising:
a polymeric inner liner having a substantially cylindrical distal section, a substantially cylindrical proximal section, and a frusto-conical intermediate section between the distal section and the proximal section, wherein the inner liner defines a lumen; a torque transfer layer surrounding at least a portion of the inner liner, wherein the torque transfer layer terminates proximal to the frusto-conical intermediate section; and an outer sheath of a melt-processable polymer, wherein a thickness of the outer sheath surrounding the frusto-conical intermediate section is variable along a length of the frusto-conical section between the proximal and distal sections of the inner liner; and wherein the distal end of the introducer catheter is shaped in a preset curvature in a plane including a central longitudinal axis of the introducer catheter.