| 摘要 |
A vascular catheter system (10) comprises a catheter body (18) having a proximal, a distal portion (40, 60), and a single common lumen therebetween. The catheter body includes a first connector (42) secured to the distal end of the proximal portion (40), and a second connector (44) secured to the proximal end of the distal portion (60). The connectors can be selectively connected to each other to join the lumens of the proximal, and distal portions together in a continuous, axially fixed relationship. Disposed within the lumens, when the proximal, and distal portions are joined together, is a drive cable (50). The drive cable (50) may be movably rotatable about its own longitudinal axis, and carries at its distal end, a work element, which is typically an ultrasonic imaging transducer (56) or intervention device. The lumen carrying the cable will be sufficiently large along a proximal portion to permit preferential collapse of the cable should rotation of the distal end become impeded. The catheter body may be made of a polymer or plastic material, such as polyether ether ketone (PEEK), which provides adequate bonding stiffness, and resistance to kinking from large hoop stresses.
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