Guide extension catheter

Abstract

Guide extension catheters and related methods are disclosed. A guide extension catheter can comprise an elongate tube member, a push member, and a concave track. The elongate tube member can define a lumen and three distinct portions of different diameter. A distal portion can define a first diameter, a proximal portion can define a second diameter which is larger than the first diameter but smaller than a lumen of a guide catheter with which the guide extension catheter is used, and a tapered portion, positioned between the distal portion and the proximal portion, can have a variable diameter. The push member can be eccentrically coupled relative to the tube member and extends proximally therefrom for slidably positioning the tube member within and partially beyond a distal end of the guide catheter. The concave track forms a transition between the tube member and the push member, and defines a partially cylindrical opening leading into the tube member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A guide extension catheter for use with a guide catheter, comprising:
 an elongate tube member defining a lumen and three portions, each portion having a distinct diameter, wherein:
 a distal portion has a first diameter, 
 a proximal portion has a second diameter which is larger than the first diameter but smaller than a lumen of the guide catheter, and 
 a tapered portion, positioned between the distal portion and the proximal portion, has a variable diameter; 
   a push member eccentrically coupled relative to the tube member and extending proximally therefrom for slidably positioning the tube member within and partially beyond a distal end of the guide catheter; and   a concave track coupled to the tube member and the push member, the concave track defining a partially cylindrical opening leading into the tube member.   
     
     
         2 . The guide extension catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the first diameter is about 6 F or less. 
     
     
         3 . The guide extension catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the second diameter is about 7 F or greater. 
     
     
         4 . The guide extension catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the distal portion is at least twice as long as the proximal portion and the tapered portion combined. 
     
     
         5 . The guide extension catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the distal portion is at least about 20 cm long. 
     
     
         6 . The guide extension catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal portion is about 5 cm long or less. 
     
     
         7 . The guide extension catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the tapered portion is about 2 cm long or less. 
     
     
         8 . The guide extension catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the concave track defines an intermediary track portion that is less enclosed than a distal track portion and a proximal track portion. 
     
     
         9 . The guide extension catheter of  claim 8 , wherein an enclosure of the intermediary track portion is about 170°, an enclosure of the distal track portion is about 200°, and an enclosure of the proximal track portion is about 200°. 
     
     
         10 . The guide extension catheter of  claim 1 , further comprising a slidable manipulation member coupled with the push member, the slidable manipulation member comprising a tab that defines a hole through which the push member is urged during insertion of the guide extension catheter through the guide catheter. 
     
     
         11 . The guide extension catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate tube member includes a reinforcement member comprising a coil. 
     
     
         12 . The guide extension catheter of  claim 11 , wherein the coil, in a relaxed state, defines a diameter that approximately matches the second diameter. 
     
     
         13 . The guide extension catheter of  claim 12 , wherein the coil is wound down over the tapered portion during assembly. 
     
     
         14 . The guide extension catheter of  claim 11 , wherein the coil, in a relaxed state, defines a diameter that approximately matches the first diameter. 
     
     
         15 . The guide extension catheter of  claim 14 , wherein the coil is wound up over the tapered portion during assembly. 
     
     
         16 . The guide extension catheter of  claim 11 , wherein the coil, in a relaxed state, defines a diameter that is between the first diameter and the second diameter. 
     
     
         17 . The guide extension catheter of  claim 16 , wherein the coil is wound up over the proximal portion and wound down over the distal portion during assembly. 
     
     
         18 . The guide extension catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate tube member comprises an inner polymer layer. 
     
     
         19 . The guide extension catheter of  claim 18 , wherein the inner polymer layer is stretched during assembly of the elongate tube member. 
     
     
         20 . The guide extension catheter of  claim 19 , wherein after stretching, an outer surface of the inner polymer layer is etched.