SMALL DIAMETER, HIGH TORQUE CATHETER

摘要

A catheter (10) comprises an inner tubular member (30), a braided reinforcement layer (32) and a soft outer layer (34). The inner tubular member (30) extends from a proximal end of the catheter (10) to a first distal location (18). The braided reinforcement layer (32) extends from the proximal end of the catheter to a second distal location (22) which is usually located proximally from the first distal location (18). The soft outer layer (34) extends from the proximal end of the catheter to a third distal location which is usually located distally of the first distal location (18). In this way, a catheter (10) having a shaft region (16), a transition region (20), and a distal region (26), each with different strength and flexibility characteristics, can be obtained. Such catheter constructions are particularly useful for very small diameter access catheters.