Aspiration catheter with braided marker band for improved visibility under fluoroscopy

Abstract

A catheter (10) for treating aneurysms is disclosed. The catheter (10) includes a liner (12) having a proximal end, a distal end, an outer surface, and an inner lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end along a longitudinal axis A. A braid (22) is disposed on the outer surface of the liner (12) and extends from the proximal end to the distal end of the liner. The braid (22) includes multiple wires (24, 26), a first portion (24) of the wires being made from tungsten, and a second portion (26) of the wires being made from a different material. A jacket (28) is disposed around the braid and extends from the proximal end to the distal end. The braid (22) may include at least four axial sections, with the first distal section having a pick rate of approximately 330 picks per inch ("ppi").

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] (CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 447,523, filed February 22, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present disclosure relates generally to devices and methods for removing acute occlusions from blood vessels during endovascular medical procedures. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a suction retrieval catheter capable of retrieving one or more objects. [Background technology]

[0003] Clot retrieval aspiration catheters and devices are often used for mechanical thrombectomy to perform endovascular interventions when patients suffer from conditions such as acute ischemic stroke (AIS), myocardial infarction (MI), and pulmonary embolism (PE). With conventional techniques, accessing the neurovascular bed is challenging because the target vessels are small in diameter, distant from the insertion site, and highly tortuous. These catheters are often long and must follow the vascular anatomy at all its bifurcations and bends. Conventional devices are often either too large in profile, lack the deliverability and flexibility necessary to navigate particularly tortuous vessels, or are ineffective at removing clots once delivered to the target site.

[0004] As a result, there remains a need for improved catheter designs that improve current methods for improving catheter lateral flexibility to improve catheter trackability. The presently disclosed design aims to provide an improved catheter with improved deliverability and flexibility, particularly needed for navigating tortuous blood vessels. The presently disclosed design also provides a catheter that has a braided metal wire reinforcement layer that can improve the catheter's visibility under fluoroscopy, while still being flexible, including at the distal end of the catheter, improving the catheter's trackability as it navigates tortuous blood vessels.

[0005] To allow vascular catheters to reach their target site, they are designed to be relatively stiff at their proximal end and gradually less stiff / more flexible at their distal end. This is primarily achieved by using stiffer outer jacket materials (Rockwell D 180-90) proximally and softer outer jacket materials (Rockwell D 35D or less to Shore A 72A-30A) distally. Vascular catheters are navigated within blood vessels, such as in the human anatomy, with the aid of fluoroscopic imaging using X-rays. However, the catheter's polymers do not attenuate X-rays sufficiently, so the catheter is not visible under fluoroscopy. None of the metal components of the catheter body, such as the braided or coiled wire reinforcement layer, are significantly radiopaque. For example, stainless steel grades such as 304, 316, and 404 are often used as braid materials. However, while stainless steel is moderately radiopaque, it is not clinically acceptable to serve as a marker band. For this reason, conventional catheters incorporate a highly X-ray attenuating metal marker, called a marker band, at the very distal tip of the catheter. Figure 9 shows how a conventional catheter appears under fluoroscopy. Only the distal tip of a conventional catheter is visible under fluoroscopy due to the marker band, which only reveals where the distal tip of the catheter resides within the vasculature. Therefore, physicians rely solely on physical feedback from conventional catheter designs to aid in the navigation of such devices within the vasculature.

[0006] In most catheter designs, the metal of choice is a stainless steel grade (e.g., 304, 316, 404, etc.). Stainless steel is moderately radiopaque, but not to a level that is clinically acceptable to function as a marker band. These braided wires can be made from more radiopaque materials, such as platinum, but platinum does not resist deformation well. Catheters with platinum braids are not resilient enough to recover their original shape after deformation, but instead easily deform plastically. Therefore, catheters with platinum braids do not have the mechanical structure used in vascular catheters. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] Catheters according to the present disclosure allow visualization of the entire length of the catheter, allowing the physician to adjust navigation techniques with visual cues. Thus, as all regions of the catheter traverse the anatomy, the physician can adjust how they push or pull the catheter and accessories based on visual feedback of the entire length of the catheter, allowing them to visualize how the shaft is bending at any point along the catheter's radiopaque shaft.

[0008] Because the entire length of a catheter according to the present disclosure is visible under fluoroscopy, there is no need for a separate, raised marker band at the distal end of the catheter. The distal tip of a catheter according to the present disclosure is radiopaque due to the compression of the braid at the distal end of the catheter. This structure allows for a radiopaque tip at the distal end of the catheter that is also flexible. Thus, a catheter according to the present disclosure provides better and more seamless navigation through tortuous anatomical structures. The distal end of a catheter according to the present disclosure does not include a separate radiopaque marker band, but instead relies on the continuous section of the braid component itself to provide the catheter design. Thus, a catheter according to the present disclosure allows for visualization of the entire length of the catheter and better visualization at the distal end without the need for a separate, rigid marker band. In some instances, the rigid marker bands of conventional catheters can become detached from the remainder of the catheter and remain in the vasculature during use of the catheter.

[0009] In some examples, a catheter according to the present disclosure is disclosed for treating an aneurysm. The catheter may include a liner having a proximal end, a distal end, an outer surface, and an inner lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end along a longitudinal axis A. A braid is disposed on the outer surface of the liner and extends from the proximal end to the distal end of the liner. The braid comprises a plurality of wires, a first portion of the wires being made from tungsten and a second portion of the wires being made from a different material. A jacket is disposed around the braid and extends from the proximal end to the distal end. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] The above and further aspects of the present disclosure will be further discussed with reference to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals indicate like structural elements and features in the various drawings. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. The figures depict one or more implementations of devices of the present disclosure by way of example only, and not by way of limitation. [Figure 1]1 is a perspective view of a catheter according to the present disclosure; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a top view of a catheter according to the present disclosure with a core shown in use during manufacturing. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a partially exploded view with some parts cut away showing the outer jacket segments of the outer cover around the metal braid that is around the inner liner. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a metal braid of a catheter having segments with different braid densities. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a top view of a catheter with a portion cut away. [Figure 6A] FIG. 1 is a partial top view of a prior art catheter, without the outer jacket shown. [Figure 6B] 6B is a cross-sectional view from section 6B of FIG. 6A showing a hollow integral marker band at the distal end of the catheter. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a partial top view of the distal end of a catheter according to the present disclosure, without showing the outer jacket. [Figure 8A] 1 is a photograph of a catheter according to the present disclosure shown in a blood vessel. [Figure 8B] 1 is a photograph of a catheter according to the present disclosure shown in a blood vessel. [Figure 9] 1 is a photograph of a prior art catheter shown in a blood vessel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure or its application and uses. Although the present disclosure is described mostly in the context of treating intracranial arteries, the present disclosure may also be used in other body passageways as mentioned above.

[0012] As used herein, the term "about" or "approximately" in connection with any numerical value or numerical range indicates a suitable dimensional tolerance that enables a portion of a component or a collection of components to function for its intended purpose as described herein. More specifically, "about" or "approximately" may refer to a range of values ​​of ±20% of the recited value; for example, "about 80%" may refer to a range of values ​​of 61% to 99%.

[0013] As discussed herein, a "patient" or "subject" may be a human or any animal. It should be understood that the animal may be of any of a variety of applicable types, including, but not limited to, mammals, veterinary animals, livestock animals, or companion animals. By way of example, the animal may be a laboratory animal specifically selected to have certain characteristics similar to humans, such as rats, dogs, pigs, monkeys, etc.

[0014] "Comprising" or "containing" or "including" means that at least the specified compounds, elements, particles, or method steps are present in a composition or article or method, but does not exclude the presence of other such compounds, elements, particles, or method steps, even if they have the same function as the specified ones.

[0015] It should also be noted that, as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges can be expressed herein as from "about" or "approximately" one particular value and / or to "about" or "approximately" another particular value. When such a range is expressed, other illustrative examples also include values ​​from one particular value and / or to the other particular value.

[0016] Accessing the cerebral, coronary, and pulmonary veins involves the use of numerous commercially available products and conventional procedural steps. Access products such as guidewires, guide catheters, angiography catheters, and microcatheters are described elsewhere and are routinely used in catheterization procedures. In the following description, these products and methods are assumed to be used in conjunction with the devices and methods of the present disclosure and need not necessarily be described in detail.

[0017] The documents incorporated by reference into this patent application should be considered an integral part of this application, provided that to the extent that any term is defined in these incorporated documents in a manner that contradicts the definition given herein, either expressly or implicitly, only the definition given herein should be considered.

[0018] A catheter according to the present disclosure includes an inner lumen liner comprising a first polymeric material, a braided metal wire jacket comprising a plurality of metal wires, and an outer liner comprising a second polymeric material, which may be the same as or different from the first polymeric material. A portion of the plurality of metal wires is made from tungsten, and a portion of the plurality of metal wires is made from stainless steel. The tungsten is visible under fluoroscopy, providing the user with visual feedback of the catheter's overall length as they track the catheter through the vasculature. Additionally, the braid is made with a higher pick count adjacent to the distal end, providing increased visibility at the distal end without the drawbacks of using a rigid marker band.

[0019] Referring now to Figures 1-5 and 7, a catheter 10 for navigating a body lumen includes a core or liner 12, a braid 22, and an outer jacket 28. The catheter 10 has a proximal end 14 and a distal end 16. The core 12 has an outer surface 18, an inner lumen 20 extending from the proximal end 14 to the distal end 16, and a longitudinal axis A. The braid 22 is disposed on the outer surface 18 of the liner 12 and extends from the proximal end 14 to the distal end 16 of the liner 12. The braid 22 includes multiple wires 24, 26. A first portion of the wire 24 is made of tungsten, and a second portion of the wire 26 is made of a different material, such as stainless steel. The tungsten wire 24 may be made of tungsten or its alloys, such as WRe, WCr, WTa, WMo, WTi, etc. The stainless steel wire may be made from, for example, stainless steel grades 304, 304V, 316, and 404. A jacket 28 is disposed around the braid 22 and extends from the proximal end 14 to the distal end 16.

[0020] Refractory metals / alloys such as tungsten (W), MoRe, NbHf, NbW, VTa, or more generally, period 6 metals of the periodic table, are highly radiopaque. Many of these alloys are very hard, and when incorporated into a braid, they provide a mechanically strong metal framework with very elastic or resilient properties. That is, catheters having braided wires, at least a portion of which is made from period 6 metals, resist radial loads when configured into a tubular braid. Catheters according to the present disclosure incorporate such metals as part of the braided wire to achieve clinically relevant radiopacity. This increased radiopacity is further achieved by compressing the braid to the extent that the diameter of the braided wire allows for the formation of a braided marker band at the distal-most section of the braid.

[0021] The first portion of wires 24 is approximately half the total number of wires, and the second portion of wires 26 is also approximately half the total number of wires. In one example of the present disclosure, the first portion of wires 24 includes eight wires, and the second portion of wires 26 includes eight wires.

[0022] In one example of the present disclosure, the liner 12 is made from PTFE. The jacket 28, in one example of the present disclosure, is made from a polymeric material. As shown in Figures 2 and 5, the jacket 28 is made from a plurality of segments 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, and 54. In one example, eight jackets are assembled together to make up the jacket 28. A stress relief section 56 is connected to the segment 54 at its proximal end. The stress relief section 56 connects to a hub lure 58, as is known in the art.

[0023] The braid 22 has a plurality of different pick rates along the longitudinal axis A of the braid 22. In one example, the braid 22 has at least four axial sections 32, 34, 36, 38 extending from the distal end 16 to the proximal end 14. The at least four axial sections include a first, most distal section 32, a second, distal section 34 adjacent to the first, most distal section, a third, distal section 36 adjacent to the second, distal section, and a fourth, most proximal section 38 adjacent to the third, distal section 36. The second, distal section 34 is between the first, distal section 32 and the third, distal section 38. The third, distal section 36 is between the second, distal section 34 and the fourth, distal section 38. The fourth, most proximal section 38 is adjacent to the third, distal section 36.

[0024] Each braid section 32, 34, 36, 38 has a different pick rate. The first, most distal section 32 of the braid has a pick rate of approximately 330 picks per inch ("ppi"). The first distal section 32 of the braid has an axial length of approximately 0.010 inches to approximately 0.039 inches. The second distal section 34 of the braid has a pick rate of approximately 105 ppi. The second distal section 34 of the braid has an axial length of approximately 7.87 inches. The third distal section 36 of the braid has a variable pick rate of approximately 105 ppi to approximately 195 ppi. The third distal section 36 of the braid has a variable pick rate from approximately 105 ppi adjacent the proximal end of the third distal section to approximately 195 ppi adjacent the distal end of the third distal section. The third distal section 36 of the braid has a variable pick rate that transitions continuously from the proximal end of the third distal section to the distal end of the third distal section. The third distal section 36 of the braid has an axial length of approximately 7.87 inches. The fourth proximal section 38 of the braid has a pick rate of approximately 195 ppi. The fourth proximal section 38 of the braid has an axial length of approximately 44.0 inches.

[0025] Referring now to FIG. 7 , the distal end 16 of the catheter 10 is shown. Only a portion of the outer jacket 28 is shown so that the first braided section 32 is visible and braided sections 22, 32, and 34 are visible. The distal end of the distal-most braided section 32 is spaced a distance X from the distal end of the catheter. The distal end of the catheter within distance X is comprised of the core 12 and the outer jacket 28, specifically segment 40 of the outer jacket 28, and is free of braided reinforcement. The distal section of the braid 22 includes the first braided section 32. The distal section of the catheter 10 does not have a rigid marker band, but does have a flexible braided section 31, making the distal end 16 of the catheter 10 relatively flexible and atraumatic. Distance X is between about 0.025 cm and about 0.050 cm, or between about 0.010 inches and about 0.020 inches.

[0026] The catheter 10, in certain examples of the present disclosure, has an inner diameter of approximately 0.092 inches from its proximal end 14 to its distal end 16. The catheter 10 also, in certain examples of the present disclosure, has an outer diameter that tapers from approximately 0.108 inches at the proximal end 14 to approximately 0.101 inches at the distal end 16. The catheter 10, in certain examples of the present disclosure, can have various working lengths, such as, for example, approximately 114 cm, or approximately 122 cm, or approximately 130 cm, or approximately 135 cm. The catheter 10 can also have a hydrophilic coating on its inner diameter over a length of approximately 50 cm extending from the distal end 16 toward the proximal end.

[0027] 8A and 8B, photographs of a catheter 10 according to the present disclosure are shown under fluoroscopy within a blood vessel 30. As can be seen, the distal end 16 of the catheter is visible due to an increased pick rate of the braid 22 in the first, distal-most section 32 of the braid 22. Additionally, because the braid 22 is constructed in part from tungsten wire, an outline of the entire length of the catheter 10 is visible under fluoroscopy. A blood vessel 30 within the vasculature is visible as a faint shadow in FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 9. The circle labeled 7 in FIG. 8A is shown for relative size. Circle 7 has a diameter of approximately 0.949 inches. FIG. 9 shows a conventional catheter under fluoroscopy within a blood vessel 30. While the conventional catheter is not visible in FIG. 9, the distal end 116 of the conventional catheter is visible.

[0028] Referring now to Figures 6A and 6B, the distal end of a prior art catheter 100 is illustrated. The catheter 100 includes a core 102, a braid 104 around the core, and a jacket 106 around the braid. The catheter 100 also includes a marker band 108 embedded between the core 102 and the jacket 106 at the distal end of the catheter. The marker band 108 is made of a material that is radiopaque under fluoroscopy, such as platinum / iridium, tantalum, or gold, and typically has an axial length of about 0.5 mm to about 2 mm. As shown in Figures 6A and 6B, the marker band 108 is a rigid, one-piece, hollow, annular band radially disposed around the core 102 and within the jacket 106. Therefore, the marker band 108 at the distal end of the catheter is not flexible. Because the marker band 108 is not flexible, the catheter 100 can have tracking problems due to the use of a rigid marker band 108 at the distal end of the catheter. The rigid marker band 108 adversely affects catheter navigation because the metal hypotube marker band 108 is raised and cannot bend. In addition, conventional marker bands must be separately attached to the catheter shaft. These conventional marker bands have been known to become dislodged from the catheter body during clinical use, especially if the gap between the marker band and the rest of the catheter body is too large.

[0029] Aspects of the disclosure are also provided by the following numbered clauses:

[0030] Clause 1: A catheter 10 for navigating within a body lumen, comprising: a liner 12 having a proximal end 14, a distal end 16, an outer surface 18, an inner lumen 20 extending from the proximal end 14 to the distal end 16, and a longitudinal axis A; a braid 22 disposed on the outer surface 18 of the liner 12 and extending from the proximal end 14 to the distal end 16 of the liner 12, the braid 22 comprising a plurality of wires 24, 26, a first portion 24 of the wires being made from tungsten and a second portion 26 of the wires being made from a different material; a jacket disposed around the braid and extending from the proximal end to the distal end.

[0031] Clause 2. The catheter of clause 1, wherein the first portion of the wire 24 is approximately half of the wire and the second portion of the wire 26 is approximately half of the wire.

[0032] Clause 3. The catheter of clause 1 or 2, wherein the first portion of the wire 24 is one half of a wire and the second portion of the wire 26 is one half of a wire.

[0033] Clause 4. The catheter of any one of clauses 1-3, wherein the first section of wires 24 comprises eight wires and the second section of wires 26 comprises eight wires.

[0034] Clause 5. A catheter described in any one of clauses 1 to 4, wherein the second portion 26 of the wire is made from stainless steel.

[0035] Clause 6. A catheter described in any one of clauses 1 to 5, wherein the liner 12 is made of PTFE.

[0036] Clause 7. A catheter described in any one of clauses 1 to 6, wherein the jacket 28 is made from a polymeric material.

[0037] Clause 8. A catheter described in any one of clauses 1 to 7, wherein the jacket 28 is composed of multiple segments.

[0038] Clause 9. A catheter described in any one of clauses 1 to 8, wherein the jacket 28 is composed of eight segments.

[0039] Clause 10. A catheter described in any one of clauses 1 to 9, wherein the braid 22 has multiple pick rates along the longitudinal axis.

[0040] Clause 11. A catheter described in any one of clauses 1 to 10, wherein the braid has at least four axial sections extending from the distal end 16 toward the proximal end 14, and the at least five axial sections include a first distal-most section 32, a second distal section 34 adjacent to the first distal-most section, a third distal section 36 adjacent to the second distal section, and a fourth proximal section 38 adjacent to the third distal section, wherein the second distal section is between the first distal section and the third distal section, and the third distal section is between the second distal section and the fourth proximal section.

[0041] Clause 12. A catheter described in any one of clauses 1 to 11, wherein the first distal section 32 of the braid has a pick rate of approximately 330 picks per inch ("ppi").

[0042] Clause 13. A catheter described in any one of clauses 1 to 12, wherein the first distal section 32 of the braid has an axial length of about 0.010 inches to about 0.039 inches.

[0043] Clause 14. A catheter described in any one of clauses 1 to 13, wherein the second distal section 34 of the braid has a pick rate of approximately 105 ppi.

[0044] Clause 15. A catheter described in any one of clauses 1 to 14, wherein the second distal section 34 of the braid has an axial length of approximately 7.87 inches.

[0045] Clause 16. A catheter described in any one of clauses 1 to 15, wherein the third distal section 36 of the braid has a variable pick rate of from about 105 ppi to about 195 ppi.

[0046] Clause 17. A catheter described in any one of clauses 1 to 16, wherein the third distal section 36 of the braid has a variable pick rate from approximately 105 ppi adjacent the proximal end of the third distal section to approximately 195 ppi adjacent the distal end of the third distal section.

[0047] Clause 18. A catheter described in any one of clauses 1 to 17, wherein the third distal section 36 of the braid has a variable pick rate that transitions continuously from the proximal end of the third distal section to the distal end of the third distal section.

[0048] Clause 19. A catheter described in any one of clauses 1 to 16, wherein the third distal section 36 of the braid has an axial length of approximately 7.87 inches.

[0049] Clause 20. A catheter described in any one of clauses 1 to 19, wherein the fourth proximal section 38 of the braid has a pick rate of approximately 195 ppi.

[0050] Clause 21. A catheter described in any one of clauses 1 to 20, wherein the fourth proximal section 38 of the braid has an axial length of approximately 44.0 inches.

[0051] Clause 22. A catheter 10 for navigating within a body lumen, the catheter comprising: a liner 12 having a proximal end 14, a distal end 16, an outer surface 18, an inner lumen 20 extending from the proximal end 14 to the distal end 16, and a longitudinal axis A; a braid (22) disposed on the outer surface (18) of the liner (12) and extending from the proximal end (14) to the distal end (16) of the liner (12), the braid (22) having at least four axial sections extending from the distal end (16) toward the proximal end (14), the at least four axial sections being a first distal-most section (32), a second distal section (34) adjacent to the first distal-most section (32), a third distal section (36) adjacent to the second distal section (34), and a third distal section (36) adjacent to the third distal section (36). a braid (22) including a second distal section (34) between the first distal section (32) and the third distal section (36), the third distal section (36) between the second distal section (34) and the fourth proximal section (38), the fourth proximal section (38) adjacent to and proximal to the third distal section (36), the first distal section (32) of the braid having a pick rate of approximately 330 picks per inch ("ppi"); a jacket disposed around the braid and extending from the proximal end to the distal end.

[0052] Clause 23. The catheter of clause 22, wherein the first distal section 32 of the braid has an axial length of about 0.010 inches to about 0.039 inches.

[0053] Clause 24. A catheter as described in clause 22 or 23, wherein the second distal section 34 of the braid has a pick rate of about 105 ppi.

[0054] Clause 25. A catheter described in any one of clauses 22 to 24, wherein the second distal section 34 of the braid has an axial length of approximately 7.87 inches.

[0055] Clause 26. A catheter described in any one of clauses 22 to 25, wherein the third distal section 36 of the braid has a variable pick rate of from about 105 ppi to about 195 ppi.

[0056] Clause 27. A catheter described in any one of clauses 22 to 26, wherein the third distal section 36 of the braid has a variable pick rate from approximately 105 ppi adjacent the proximal end of the third distal section 36 to approximately 195 ppi adjacent the distal end of the third distal section 36.

[0057] Clause 28. A catheter described in any one of clauses 22 to 27, wherein the third distal section 36 of the braid has a variable pick rate that transitions continuously from the proximal end of the third distal section 36 to the distal end of the third distal section 36.

[0058] Clause 29. A catheter described in any one of clauses 22 to 28, wherein the third distal section 36 of the braid has an axial length of approximately 7.87 inches.

[0059] Clause 30. A catheter described in any one of clauses 22 to 29, wherein the fourth proximal section 38 of the braid has a pick rate of approximately 195 ppi.

[0060] Clause 31. A catheter described in any one of clauses 22 to 30, wherein the fourth proximal section 38 of the braid has an axial length of approximately 44.0 inches.

[0061] Clause 32. A catheter described in any one of clauses 22 to 31, wherein the braid 22 comprises a plurality of wires, a first portion 24 of the wires being made from tungsten, and a second portion 26 of the wires being made from a different material.

[0062] Clause 33. A catheter described in any one of clauses 22 to 32, wherein the first portion of wire 24 comprises eight wires and the second portion of wire 26 comprises eight wires.

[0063] Clause 34. A catheter described in any one of clauses 22 to 33, wherein the second portion 26 of the wire is made of stainless steel.

[0064] The descriptions contained herein are examples of embodiments of the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. The present invention contemplates many variations and modifications of the catheter as described herein. Modifications and variations that are obvious to those skilled in the art from the teachings of the present disclosure are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.

[0065] [Embodiment] (1) A catheter for navigating a body lumen, the catheter comprising: a liner having a proximal end, a distal end, an outer surface, an inner lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end, and a longitudinal axis; a braid disposed on the outer surface of the liner and extending from the proximal end to the distal end of the liner, the braid comprising a plurality of wires, a first portion of the wires being made from tungsten and a second portion of the wires being made from a different material; a jacket disposed around the braid and extending from the proximal end to the distal end. (2) A catheter as described in embodiment 1, wherein the first portion of the wire is approximately half of the wire and the second portion of the wire is approximately half of the wire. (3) A catheter according to embodiment 2, wherein the first portion of the wire is half of the wire and the second portion of the wire is half of the wire. (4) The catheter of embodiment 3, wherein the first section of wires comprises eight wires and the second section of wires comprises eight wires. (5) A catheter as described in embodiment 1, wherein the braid has multiple pic rates along the longitudinal axis.

[0066] (6) The catheter of embodiment 5, wherein the braid has at least four axial sections extending from the distal end toward the proximal end, the at least five axial sections including a first most distal section, a second distal section adjacent to the first most distal section, a third distal section adjacent to the second distal section, and a fourth proximal section adjacent to the third distal section, wherein the second distal section is between the first distal section and the third distal section, and the third distal section is between the second distal section and the fourth proximal section. (7) The catheter of embodiment 6, wherein the first distal section of the braid has a pick rate of approximately 330 picks per inch ("ppi"). (8) The catheter of embodiment 7, wherein the first distal section of the braid has an axial length of about 0.254 mm to about 0.991 mm (about 0.010 inches to about 0.039 inches). (9) A catheter as described in embodiment 8, wherein the second distal section of the braid has a pick rate of approximately 105 ppi. (10) The catheter of embodiment 9, wherein the second distal section of the braid has an axial length of about 19.99 cm (about 7.87 inches).

[0067] (11) The catheter of embodiment 10, wherein the third distal section of the braid has a variable pick rate of about 105 ppi to about 195 ppi. (12) The catheter of embodiment 11, wherein the third distal section of the braid has a variable pick rate from about 105 ppi adjacent the proximal end of the third distal section to about 195 ppi adjacent the distal end of the third distal section. (13) The catheter of embodiment 12, wherein the third distal section of the braid has a variable pick rate that transitions continuously from the proximal end of the third distal section to the distal end of the third distal section. (14) The catheter of embodiment 13, wherein the third distal section of the braid has an axial length of about 19.99 cm (about 7.87 inches). (15) The catheter of embodiment 14, wherein the fourth proximal section of the braid has a pick rate of about 195 ppi.

[0068] (16) The catheter of embodiment 15, wherein the fourth proximal section of the braid has an axial length of about 111.76 cm (about 44.0 inches). (17) A catheter for navigating a body lumen, the catheter comprising: a liner having a proximal end, a distal end, an outer surface, an inner lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end, and a longitudinal axis; a braid disposed on the outer surface of the liner and extending from the proximal end to the distal end of the liner, the braid having at least four axial sections extending from the distal end toward the proximal end, the at least four axial sections including a first distal-most section, a second distal section adjacent to the first distal-most section, a third distal section adjacent to the second distal section, and a fourth proximal section adjacent to the third distal section, the second distal section being between the first distal section and the third distal section, the third distal section being between the second distal section and the fourth proximal section, the fourth proximal section being adjacent to and proximal to the third distal section, and the first distal section of the braid having a pick rate of approximately 330 picks per inch ("ppi"); a jacket disposed around the braid and extending from the proximal end to the distal end. (18) The catheter of embodiment 17, wherein the first distal section of the braid has an axial length of about 0.254 mm to about 0.991 mm (about 0.010 inches to about 0.039 inches). (19) The catheter of embodiment 18, wherein the second distal section of the braid has a pick rate of about 105 ppi. (20) The catheter of embodiment 19, wherein the third distal section of the braid has a variable pick rate of about 105 ppi to about 195 ppi.

Claims

1. 1. A catheter for navigating within a body lumen, the catheter comprising: a liner having a proximal end, a distal end, an outer surface, an inner lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end, and a longitudinal axis; a braid disposed on the outer surface of the liner and extending from the proximal end to the distal end of the liner, the braid comprising a plurality of wires, a first portion of the wires being made from tungsten and a second portion of the wires being made from a different material; a jacket disposed around the braid and extending from the proximal end to the distal end.

2. The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the wire is approximately half of the wire and the second portion of the wire is approximately half of the wire.

3. The catheter of claim 2 , wherein the first portion of the wire is one half of the wire and the second portion of the wire is one half of the wire.

4. The catheter of claim 3 , wherein the first section of wires comprises eight wires and the second section of wires comprises eight wires.

5. The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the braid has a plurality of pick rates along the longitudinal axis.

6. 6. The catheter of claim 5, wherein the braid has at least four axial sections extending from the distal end toward the proximal end, the at least five axial sections including a first distal-most section, a second distal section adjacent the first distal-most section, a third distal section adjacent the second distal section, and a fourth proximal section adjacent the third distal section, wherein the second distal section is between the first distal section and the third distal section, and the third distal section is between the second distal section and the fourth proximal section.

7. The catheter of claim 6 , wherein the first distal section of the braid has a pick rate of about 330 picks per inch (“ppi”).

8. The catheter of claim 7, wherein the first distal section of the braid has an axial length of about 0.010 inches to about 0.039 inches.

9. The catheter of claim 8 , wherein the second distal section of the braid has a pick rate of about 105 ppi.

10. 10. The catheter of claim 9, wherein the braid second distal section has an axial length of about 7.87 inches.

11. The catheter of claim 10, wherein the third distal section of the braid has a variable pick rate of from about 105 ppi to about 195 ppi.

12. 12. The catheter of claim 11, wherein the third distal section of the braid has a variable pick rate from about 105 ppi adjacent the proximal end of the third distal section to about 195 ppi adjacent the distal end of the third distal section.

13. The catheter of claim 12, wherein the third distal section of the braid has a variable pick rate that transitions continuously from the proximal end of the third distal section to the distal end of the third distal section.

14. 14. The catheter of claim 13, wherein the braid third distal section has an axial length of about 7.87 inches.

15. The catheter of claim 14, wherein the fourth proximal section of the braid has a pick rate of about 195 ppi.

16. 16. The catheter of claim 15, wherein the braid fourth proximal section has an axial length of about 44.0 inches.

17. 1. A catheter for navigating within a body lumen, the catheter comprising: a liner having a proximal end, a distal end, an outer surface, an inner lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end, and a longitudinal axis; a braid disposed on the outer surface of the liner and extending from the proximal end to the distal end of the liner, the braid having at least four axial sections extending from the distal end toward the proximal end, the at least four axial sections including a first distal-most section, a second distal section adjacent to the first distal-most section, a third distal section adjacent to the second distal section, and a fourth proximal section adjacent to the third distal section, the second distal section being between the first distal section and the third distal section, the third distal section being between the second distal section and the fourth proximal section, the fourth proximal section being adjacent to and proximal to the third distal section, the first distal section of the braid having a pick rate of approximately 330 picks per inch ("ppi"); a jacket disposed around the braid and extending from the proximal end to the distal end.

18. 18. The catheter of claim 17, wherein the first distal section of the braid has an axial length of about 0.010 inches to about 0.039 inches.

19. 20. The catheter of claim 18, wherein the second distal section of the braid has a pick rate of about 105 ppi.

20. The catheter of claim 19, wherein the third distal section of the braid has a variable pick rate of from about 105 ppi to about 195 ppi.

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