CATHETER HAVING AN EXPANDABLE SHAFT

摘要

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a catheter for insert ion within the human vasculature. The catheter is capable of being irreversibly expanded f rom a first diameter to a second diameter. The catheter has an elongated shaft with a dista l end, a proximal end and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween. The shaft has a lumen exten ding therethrough. The lumen has a substantially circular cross section of a first d iameter. The shaft has two or more stripes of a substantially rigid material and two or more stripe s of a substantially expandable and non-resilient material. The rigid stripes disposed between the e xpandable stripes. The stripes extend between the distal and proximal ends of the shaft.