COATED TUBULAR SUPPORT MEMBERS AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURING SAME

摘要

A tubular support member located in a distal portion of an elongate flexible medical device is provided with a plurality of wall openings, e.g., axially-spaced, substantially transverse slots, formed therein to thereby increase a flexibility of the support member. A layer of sealing material overlays an outer surface the support member so as to provide a sealed portion of the support member including the wall openings, the sealing material having respective flexible invaginations formed therein overlaying the wall openings in the support member so that the sealing material does not substantially impede flexibility of the support member.

主权项

1. An elongate flexible medical device, comprising:
a support member comprising a tubular wall having a plurality of wall openings formed therein so as to increase a flexibility of the support member; and a layer of sealing material overlaying an outer surface of the support member so as to provide a sealed portion of the support member including the plurality of wall openings, the layer of sealing material comprising respective flexible invaginations formed therein overlaying respective wall openings in the tubular wall, so that the layer of sealing material does not substantially impede the flexibility of the tubular support member.