Guiding catheter having shape-retentive distal end

Abstract

A guiding catheter has a proximal portion constructed of a tubular braid and a shape-retentive distal portion including a superelastic hypotube cut to define particular mating, support, shape-retentive and flexibility characteristics. A tubular liner extends through both of the tubular braid and the hypotube. The hypotube is joined to the braid using a mechanical interlock that has high torque transfer from the braid to the hypotube. A short portion of high stiffness polymer tube is provided at a joint between the braid and the hypotube. A polymeric outer jacket is provided over the proximal and distal portions, including the polymer tube. The jacket is heat set over the hypotube to remove residual stress.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A catheter, comprising:
 a tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end, a portion of the tubular member covered by a resin, the portion of the tubular member having a first outer surface and a diametrically opposite second outer surface,
 the tubular member manufactured by a process in which the portion is heat treated to elevate the resin at the first outer surface to a temperature at or above a melting point of the resin so that the resin is fluidized during manufacture, while the resin at the second outer surface is raised to a temperature below the melting point of the resin. 
   
     
     
         2 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the resin at the first inner surface is relieved of a compressive stress.   
     
     
         3 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein
 the resin at the second outer surface is relieved of tensile stress.   
     
     
         4 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the resin is elastic in a range of room temperature to body temperature.   
     
     
         5 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the resin is provided with a radiopacifying agent.   
     
     
         6 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the distal end of the catheter includes an elastic tubular element, and the resin is provided over the tubular element.   
     
     
         7 . The catheter of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the tubular member comprises a flexible hypotube.   
     
     
         8 . The catheter of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the tubular element is a superelastic metal alloy hypotube.   
     
     
         9 . The catheter of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the hypotube is cut in a pattern, wherein different longitudinal portions of the pattern have different functional characteristics.   
     
     
         10 . The catheter of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the hypotube is laser etched into the pattern.   
     
     
         11 . A catheter, comprising:
 a tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end, a portion of the tubular member covered in a resin and set in a curve such that its longitudinal axis extends along the curve, the portion defining an inner, exterior surface that is concave, and an outer, exterior surface that is convex along the curve, the resin in a state of released residual stress.   
     
     
         12 . The catheter of  claim 11 , manufactured by a process wherein the portion of the tubular member is heat treated such that the resin at the inner, exterior surface is raised to a temperature at or above a melting point of the resin so that the resin is fluidized during manufacture, while the resin at the outer, exterior surface is raised to a temperature below the melting point of the resin. 
     
     
         13 . The catheter of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the resin of the portion of the tubular member at the inner, exterior surface is distributed evenly on the inner, exterior surface without folds in the curve along the longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         14 . The catheter of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the resin at the outer, exterior surface is relieved of a tensile stress in the resin.   
     
     
         15 . The catheter of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the resin at the inner, exterior surface is relieved of a compressive stress in the resin.   
     
     
         16 . The catheter of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the resin of the portion of the tubular member is elastic in a range of room temperature to body temperature.   
     
     
         17 . The catheter of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the resin of the portion of the tubular member is provided with a radiopacifying agent.   
     
     
         18 . The catheter of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the distal end of the catheter includes an elastic tubular element, and the resin is provided over the tubular element.   
     
     
         19 . The catheter of  claim 18 , wherein:
 the tubular element is a superelastic metal alloy hypotube.   
     
     
         20 . The catheter of  claim 19 , wherein:
 the hypotube is cut in a pattern, wherein different longitudinal portions of the pattern have different functional characteristics.   
     
     
         21 . The catheter of  claim 20 , wherein:
 the hypotube has a sidewall, and the pattern is laser etched through the sidewall of the hypotube.   
     
     
         22 . The catheter of  claim 11 , wherein:
 tubular member is located at a distal end of the catheter.