DEVICE FOR REDUCING AXIAL SHORTENING OF CATHETER OR SHEATH DUE TO REPEATED DEFLECTION

摘要

A deflectable medical device incorporates a strut (58b) that is configured to reduce or eliminate axial shortening of the deflectable portion of the medical device, for example, the deflectable distal end portion (22) of a catheter (20) or access sheath (50). The strut (58b) may is coaxially disposed in the medical device in the section that is contemplated to undergo the repeated deflection. The strut (58b) provides improved column strength and axial restoration. The strut (58b) may be stent-like device, an elongate device having opposing ends (90, 92) coupled by a connecting lattice (94) involving a plurality of helical connecting elements (961, 962, 963 and 964) or a tube (142) having a plurality of circumferentially-extending slots (144) arranged in longitudinally-extending rows (146).