Catheter for percutaneous transradial approach

Abstract

A preshaped tubular catheter for percutaneous transradial approach to catheterization, comprises a distal bridge shaped portion having a distal arch defining a primary curve, a top defining a secondary curve, and a proximal arch defining a tertiary curve. The proximal arch is connected to a straight shaft. The shaft is stiff and the bridge shaped portion has a flexibility extending at least up to and including the primary curve and a stiffness extending at least up to and including the tertiary curve.

Description

[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 792,432, filed Mar. 3, 2004, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 246,270, filed Sep. 18, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,723,083, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 901,401, filed Jul. 9, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,620,150, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 356,830, filed Jul. 19, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,273,881, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 08 / 899,083, filed Jul. 23, 1997, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 08 / 560,251, filed Nov. 21, 1995.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to preshaped tubular catheters for percutaneous transradial approach to catheterization. [0003] Preshaped catheters are commonly used for medical procedures such as diagnosis or such as coronary angioplasty or coronary stent implantation in which they serve to guide other catheters such as pressure measuring or balloon ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013] Accordingly, the combination of a flexible primary curve with stiff structures provides modulated flexibility and allows selective cannulation of right coronary arteries, left coronary arteries, and venous by-pass grafts. It also permits dealing with a variety of take-off conditions of the right coronary artery, the left coronary artery and venous by-pass grafts. As it permits to bring the tip of the catheter in the direction of the origin of the coronary artery prior to any cannulation, there is an improved coaxiality of the catheter. Deep intubation across sharp curves of coronary irregularities is also possible. The stiff structures assure support on contralateral aortic sinus and extra support against aortic wall; they optimize the torque and kink resistance during catheter manipulations; they also optimize the support for easier manipulation and change of angles of the primary curve; and once the catheter is positioned they assure full backup to the catheter.

[0014] As a result, there is no need for a guidewire to bring the tip of the catheter in the direction of the origin of the coronary, prior to cannulation. There is a smooth passage of stents by reduced friction at the site of the catheter curves. The success of stent delivery is thus greatly improved and stent implantation may become a current procedure, not only for elective cases, and without the need to exchange guiding catheters.

[0015] A further advantage is that the catheter has a multipurpose capacity for dealing with right coronary arteries, left coronary arteries, and venous by-pass grafts, without the necessity to exchange catheters during a muitivessel procedure, thereby preventing artery spasm and discomfort, potential loss of distal access in case of extreme tortuosity, long procedural and fluoro time, as well as unnecessary costs and heavy stbck procedures.

[0017] In sum, the present invention relates to a preshaped tubular catheter for percutaneous transradial approach to catheterization, having a distal bridge shaped portion having a distal arch defining a primary curve, a top defining a secondary curve, and a proximal arch defining a tertiary curve. The proximal arch is connected to a distal end of a straight and stiff shaft, and the bridge shaped portion has a flexibility extending at least up to and including the primary curve and a stiffness extending at least up to and including the tertiary curve. The distal bridge shaped portion may have a first distal straight portion, a primary curve extending from the first distal straight portion, the primary curve having a concavity oriented towards a proximal end of the bridge shaped portion, a second straight portion extending from the primary curve, the second straight portion being inclined towards the proximal end of the bridge shaped portion, a secondary curve extending from the second straight portion, the “secondary curve having a concavity oriented between the first distal straight portion and the proximal end of the bridge shaped portion, a third straight portion extending from the secondary curve, the third straight portion being inclined towards the proximal end of the bridge shaped portion, and a tertiary curve extending from the third straight portion, the tertiary curve having a concavity oriented towards the first distal straight portion, and the tertiary curve having a proximal end connected to the distal end of the straight shaft. The flexibility of the bridge shaped portion may extend at least over the first distal straight portion, the primary curve, and a distal portion of the second straight portion. The secondary curve may extend over about 90.degree., and the tertiary curve may extend over about 45.degree. The second straight portion and the third straight portion may be essentially the same length. The first distal straight portion may be substantially parallel to the straight shaft.

Problems solved by technology

Accordingly, the preshaped guiding catheters should have a configuration of lines, curves and / or angles which precisely match the environmental context in which they will have to be used and it is therefore practically impossible to simply foresee the effects of changes made to the catheter shape.

So far, there are, however, no specific catheters available for this technique.

Typically, catheters such as those referred to hereinabove, which are specific to percutaneous transfemoral catheterization approach, have been used, however with relative lack of success on backup and coaxiality in alignment with the artery.

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