STIFFNESS ADJUSTABLE CATHETER

• Main Authors: Milazzo David J, Bauer Jochen, Fortson Aaron M, Ziobro John M
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 22.09.2016
• Subjects: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROMTHE BODY; HUMAN NECESSITIES; HYGIENE; MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE

Adjustable catheter including an elongate tubular shaft having a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a length therebetween. The elongate tubular shaft has a guidewire lumen defined therein extending along at least the distal portion of elongate tubular member and further has at least one pressure lumen defined therein extending along at least a section of the length of the elongate tubular shaft. The at least one pressure lumen having a proximal end and a closed distal end. A fluid adaptor is in fluid communication with the at least one pressure lumen. The catheter has a stiffness profile and a flexibility profile along a length there of and at least one of the stiffness profile and the flexibility profile selectively adjustable upon introduction of a pressurizing fluid into the at least one pressure lumen.