Diagnostic imaging catheter

Abstract

This catheter for diagnostic imaging comprises: an outer tube; a first support tube provided radially inward of the outer tube; a drive shaft provided radially inward of the first support tube; an inner tube provided radially inward of the outer tube and radially outward of the first support tube; and a second support tube provided radially inward of the inner tube and radially outward of the drive shaft, the second support tube being axially movable with the drive shaft and the inner tube as a unit relative to the outer tube and the first support tube.

Claims

1. The device comprises an outer tube, a first support tube provided radially inward from the outer tube, a drive shaft provided radially inward from the first support tube, an inner tube provided radially inward from the outer tube and radially outward from the first support tube, and a second support tube provided radially inward from the inner tube and radially outward from the drive shaft, and which is axially movable relative to the outer tube and the first support tube and integrally with the drive shaft and the inner tube. A diagnostic imaging catheter wherein the first support tube does not overlap with the inner tube when viewed radially, in the most retracted state where the inner tube is fully extended from the outer tube.

2. The device comprises an outer tube, a first support tube provided radially inward from the outer tube, a drive shaft provided radially inward from the first support tube, an inner tube provided radially inward from the outer tube and radially outward from the first support tube, and a second support tube provided radially inward from the inner tube and radially outward from the drive shaft, and which is movable axially relative to the outer tube and the first support tube and integrally with the drive shaft and the inner tube, The second support tube is provided radially outward from the first support tube, The inner tube has a hub connected to its base end, A diagnostic imaging catheter in which the second support tube is integrally connected to the hub or the inner tube.

3. A device comprising: an outer tube; a first support tube provided radially inward from the outer tube; a drive shaft provided radially inward from the first support tube; an inner tube provided radially inward from the outer tube and radially outward from the first support tube; and a second support tube provided radially inward from the inner tube and radially outward from the drive shaft, and which is axially movable relative to the outer tube and the first support tube and integrally with the drive shaft and the inner tube, A diagnostic imaging catheter in which the second support tube is provided radially inward of the first support tube.

4. The imaging diagnostic catheter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second support tube overlaps with the first support tube in the radial direction when the inner tube is pushed as far forward as possible into the outer tube.

5. The imaging diagnostic catheter according to claim 4, wherein the second support tube overlaps with the first support tube in the radial direction even when the inner tube is in its most retracted state, with the inner tube fully extended from the outer tube.

6. The inner tube has a hub connected to its base end, The imaging diagnostic catheter according to claim 3, wherein the second support tube is integrally connected to the hub.

7. The imaging diagnostic catheter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second support tube is coiled.

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