Progressive flexibility catheter support frame

Abstract

Cut-pattern designs creating a frame structure from a solid tube, which may be used as a portion of medical device, such as a catheter. The tube includes a plurality of units of cutout segments which are distributed in band around a circumference of the tube. A tube can have multiple different zones, each having units with varying cutout segments. The cutout segments can have varying cutout surface area allowing the flexibility of the tube to be modified at any point along the tube by altering the cutout surface area with zones having greater cutout surface areas as compared to another zone are more flexible. The tube can be incorporated into a catheter.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . A guide catheter extension, comprising:
 a tube having a proximal end, a distal end, an inner diameter, an outer diameter, a longitudinal axis, and at least one spiral cut section and a transition section positioned at the proximal end of the tube, wherein the transition section is a flare or a flange and defines an opening oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube; and   a push rod having a proximal and distal end, wherein the distal end of the push rod is attached at a junction to the proximal end of the tube.   
     
     
         25 . The guide catheter extension of  claim 25 , wherein the spiral cut section comprises a discontinuous spiral cut. 
     
     
         26 . The guide catheter extension of  claim 24 , wherein the spiral cut section comprises a continuous cut. 
     
     
         27 . The guide catheter extension of  claim 24 , wherein the transition section is a flare. 
     
     
         28 . The guide catheter extension of  claim 24 , wherein the transition section is a flange. 
     
     
         29 . The guide catheter extension of  claim 24 , wherein the outer diameter of the tube tapers from the proximal end to the distal end of the tube. 
     
     
         30 . The guide catheter extension of  claim 24 , wherein the push rod is a tube. 
     
     
         31 . The guide extension catheter of  claim 29 , wherein the distal end of the push rod has a flat profile. 
     
     
         32 . The guide catheter extension of  claim 31 , wherein the push rod is bonded at the junction. 
     
     
         33 . The guide catheter extension of  claim 24 , further comprising a tip positioned at the distal end of the tube, wherein the tip has a proximal and distal end. 
     
     
         34 . The guide catheter extension of  claim 33 , wherein the distal end of the tip has an inwardly bending curve. 
     
     
         35 . The guide catheter extension of  claim 34 , wherein the tip is embedded with radiopaque material. 
     
     
         36 . The guide catheter extension of  claim 24 , further comprising an outer jacket. 
     
     
         37 . The guide catheter extension of  claim 36 , wherein the outer jacket is formed from a polymer. 
     
     
         38 . The guide catheter extension of  claim 37 , further comprising an inner liner. 
     
     
         39 . The guide catheter extension of  claim 37 , further comprising a sealer. 
     
     
         40 . The guide catheter extension of  claim 39 , wherein the sealer is wound circumferentially around the proximal end of the tube. 
     
     
         41 . The guide catheter extension of  claim 39 , wherein the sealer is wound spirally around the proximal end of the tube. 
     
     
         42 . A guide catheter extension, comprising, a tube having a proximal end, a distal end, an inner diameter, an outer diameter, a longitudinal axis, at least one spiral cut section and a transition section positioned at the proximal end of the tube, wherein the transition section is a flange and defines an opening oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube, a push rod, wherein the push rod is a tube, having a proximal and distal end, and is attached at a junction to the proximal end of the tube and a tip positioned at the distal end of the tube, wherein the tip has a proximal and distal end, the distal end of the tip has an inwardly bending curve and the tip is embedded with radiopaque material.