Controlled flexible catheter

摘要

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a catheter having a tubular body with a proximal end, a distal end and at least one lumen extending therethrough. A predetermined length of the distal end of the body has varying bending stiffness in both the circumferential and longitudinal directions of the tubular body. The catheter further includes a pull wire extending through the lumen. The pull wire has a proximal end and a distal end. the distal end of the pull wire is attached to the distal end of the tubular body. Preferably the catheter has at least two strips of material extending longitudinally along the body. The strips of material are offset from each other in both the circumferential and longitudinal directions. These strips of material have a greater bending stiffness than the tubular body so that the distal end of the body has varying bending stiffness in both the circumferential and longitudinal directions.