Integrated catheter system

Abstract

A guide catheter may include a tubular member having an inner layer defining a lumen extending therethrough, a reinforcing braid disposed about the inner layer, a plurality of steering wires interwoven through the reinforcing braid, and an outer layer disposed about the reinforcing braid. At least a portion of the reinforcing braid may be embedded within the outer layer. An introducer sleeve may be slidably disposed over the tubular member. A flush port element may be operably connected to the introducer sleeve.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A catheter shaft, comprising:
 an inner layer defining an inner lumen extending therethrough;   a reinforcing braid disposed about the inner layer;   a plurality of axially-extending wires interwoven through the reinforcing braid; and   an outer layer disposed about the reinforcing braid;   wherein at least a portion of the reinforcing braid is embedded within the outer layer.   
     
     
         2 . The catheter shaft of  claim 1 , wherein the inner layer comprises a fluoropolymer. 
     
     
         3 . The catheter shaft of  claim 1 , wherein the inner layer comprises fluorinated ethylene propylene. 
     
     
         4 . The catheter shaft of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing braid comprises stainless steel. 
     
     
         5 . The catheter shaft of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the plurality of axially-extending wires comprise aramid. 
     
     
         6 . The catheter shaft of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the plurality of axially-extending wires comprise poly paraphenylene terephthalamide. 
     
     
         7 . The catheter shaft of  claim 1 , wherein the outer layer comprises a polyamide. 
     
     
         8 . The catheter shaft of  claim 1 , wherein the outer layer comprises polyether block amide. 
     
     
         9 . The catheter shaft of  claim 1 , wherein the axially-extending wires comprise steering wires configured to steer the catheter shaft. 
     
     
         10 . The catheter shaft of  claim 9 , wherein the steering wires each include an elongate wire slidably disposed within a lumen of a polymer sheath. 
     
     
         11 . A catheter shaft, comprising:
 an inner layer defining a lumen extending therethrough;   a reinforcing braid disposed about the inner layer, the reinforcing braid comprising a plurality of strands interwoven with each other in an alternating over and under fashion;   a plurality of wires interwoven through the reinforcing braid; and   an outer layer disposed about the reinforcing braid;   wherein at least a portion of the reinforcing braid is embedded within the outer layer.   
     
     
         12 . The catheter shaft of  claim 11 , wherein the inner layer comprises fluorinated ethylene propylene. 
     
     
         13 . The catheter shaft of  claim 11 , wherein the reinforcing braid comprises stainless steel. 
     
     
         14 . The catheter shaft of  claim 11 , wherein at least some of the plurality of wires comprise poly paraphenylene terephthalamide. 
     
     
         15 . The catheter shaft of  claim 11 , wherein the outer layer comprises polyether block amide. 
     
     
         16 . A catheter shaft, comprising:
 an inner layer defining a lumen extending therethrough;   a reinforcing member disposed about the inner layer, the reinforcing member comprising a plurality of wires interwoven with each;   a plurality of longitudinal members extending through and interwoven with the reinforcing member; and   an outer layer disposed about the reinforcing member;   wherein at least a portion of the reinforcing member is embedded within the outer layer.   
     
     
         17 . The catheter shaft of  claim 16 , wherein the inner layer comprises fluorinated ethylene propylene. 
     
     
         18 . The catheter shaft of  claim 16 , wherein the reinforcing member comprises stainless steel. 
     
     
         19 . The catheter shaft of  claim 16 , wherein at least some of the plurality of longitudinal members comprise poly paraphenylene terephthalamide. 
     
     
         20 . The catheter shaft of  claim 16 , wherein the outer layer comprises polyether block amide.