Catheter tip

Abstract

A tip for attachment, in use, to the distal end of a catheter for insertion into a body lumen. The tip comprises an attachment region. The attachment region is formed from a material selected to have at least one characteristic having a first parameter of a predetermined value to enable attachment of the tip in use. There is also a second region, connected to the attachment region. The second region is formed from a material selected to have the at least one characteristic defined by a second parameter value, the second parameter value being lower than the first parameter value.

1 . A tip for attachment, in use, to the distal end of a catheter for insertion into a body lumen, the tip comprising: 
 an attachment region, the attachment region being formed from a material selected to have at least one characteristic having a first parameter of a predetermined value to enable attachment of the tip in use; and    a second region, connected to the attachment region, the second region being formed from a material selected to have the at least one characteristic defined by a second parameter value, the second parameter value being lower than the first parameter value.    
     
     
         2 . A tip according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one characteristic is hardness.  
     
     
         3 . A tip according to  claim 1  or  claim 2 , wherein the at least one characteristic is electromagnetic radiation transmitivity.  
     
     
         4 . A tip according to  claim 1  or  claim 2 , wherein the configuration of the tip is such that the two sections merge to form a boundary layer with one another at their join.  
     
     
         5 . A tip according to  claim 1  or  claim 2 , wherein that there is a distinct join between the two regions.  
     
     
         6 . A tip according to  claim 1  or  claim 2 , wherein the second region is formed from a plastics material such as a polyether block amide, polyurethane or a synthetic rubber.  
     
     
         7 . A tip according to  claim 6 , wherein the plastics material also comprises a radiopaque filler.  
     
     
         8 . A tip according to  claim 6 , wherein the second region plastics material is selected to have a value in the region of 80 to 90 Shore A hardness.  
     
     
         9 . (canceled)  
     
     
         10 . (canceled)  
     
     
         11 . A tip according to  claim 3 , wherein the configuration of the tip is such that the two sections merge to form a boundary layer with one another at their join.  
     
     
         12 . A tip according to  claim 3 , wherein that there is a distinct join between the two regions.  
     
     
         13 . A tip according to  claim 3 , wherein the second region is formed from a plastics material such as a polyether block amide, polyurethane or a synthetic rubber.  
     
     
         14 . A tip according to  claim 4 , wherein the second region is formed from a plastics material such as a polyether block amide, polyurethane or a synthetic rubber.  
     
     
         15 . A tip according to  claim 5 , wherein the second region is formed from a plastics material such as a polyether block amide, polyurethane or a synthetic rubber.  
     
     
         16 . A tip according to  claim 13 , wherein the second region plastics material is selected to have a value in the region of 80 to 90 Shore A hardness.  
     
     
         17 . A tip according to  claim 14 , wherein the second region plastics material is selected to have a value in the region of 80 to 90 Shore A hardness.  
     
     
         18 . A tip according to  claim 15 , wherein the second region plastics material is selected to have a value in the region of 80 to 90 Shore A hardness.  
     
     
         19 . A tip according to  claim 7 , wherein the second region plastics material is selected to have a value in the region of 80 to 90 Shore A hardness.