Torque absorbing catheter

摘要

A torque absorbing catheter having one or more torque absorbing bearings disposed at the distal end thereof. The bearings are larger than the outer diameter of any flexible region of the catheter sought to be protected from torque as the catheter is inserted through a tortuous body lumen. As the catheter is inserted through a body lumen, the bearings are rotable therein and the catheter shaft is simultaneously rotable within a bearing lumen of the bearings. This prevents transfer of torque from bearing to shaft and catheter. The invention is particularly adept at preventing torque from deforming the shape and character of a particularly flexible catheter region such as a balloon.