Dual braid reinforcement deflectable device

摘要

A dual braided catheter shaft includes an inner helical braid and outer helical braid than encapsulate an axially extending steering wire there between. In one embodiment, the shaft includes an inner polymer jacket, an inner braid formed on the inner jacket, a steering wire disposed along an outside surface of the inner braid, an outer braid formed over the inner braid and steering wire assembly and an outer jacket formed on the outer braid. The braiding parameters of the inner and outer braids can be varied along the length of the catheter to provide varying mechanical properties.

主权项

1. A catheter apparatus, comprising:
a first wire wound around an inner layer of polymer material to form an inner cylindrical braid structure having a first diameter, wherein outside surface portions of said inner layer polymer material extend between at least a portion of successive windings of said inner cylindrical braid structure; a second wire wound to form an outer cylindrical braid structure having a second diameter greater than the first diameter, said inner cylindrical braid structure being disposed substantially inside of said outer cylindrical braid structure; and a first pull wire disposed between said inner cylindrical braid structure and said outer cylindrical braid structure, wherein said first pull wire extends substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of said inner cylindrical braid structure; and an outer layer of polymer material disposed about said outer cylindrical braid structure, wherein inside surface portions of said outer layer of polymer material extend between at least a portion of successive windings of said outer cylindrical braid structure; and where in said inside surface portions of said outer layer of polymers extending between said successive winding of said outer cylindrical braid structure are physically connected to outside surface portions of said inner polymer layer extending between said successive windings of said inner cylindrical braid structure.