ELLIPTICAL WIRE-REINFORCED CATHETER

摘要

A catheter for insertion into the body of a patient is formed of an elongate structure defining a main lumen. The elongate structure is provided with an elliptical or oval reinforcing wire wound at least partially around the main lumen. According to one embodiment, the elongate structure comprises a singl e material, with the wire being embedded in the material. According to another embodiment, the elongate structure comprises inner and outer layers of the same or different materials, with the wire being wound over the inner materi al and under the outer material. Various winding configurations and pitches can be used depending on the desired catheter characteristics.