Patent ID: 9649473
Date: 2017-05-16
CPC Classifications: A61B,A61M

Claim:
1. An adjustable catheter comprising: A first outer elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end defining a lumen having an inner diameter therebetween; a second inner elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end defining a lumen therebetween; and a layer comprising a swellable polymer, said layer having a first unswollen configuration and a second swollen configuration, wherein the layer comprising a swellable polymer is disposed between the first elongate shaft and the second elongate shaft, wherein the inner diameter of the first elongate shaft is greater than an outer diameter of the layer comprising a swellable polymer in the first unswollen configuration and which inner diameter of the first elongate shaft is less than the outer diameter of the layer comprising a swellable polymer in the second swollen configuration, wherein the second elongate shaft and the layer comprising a swellable polymer are disposed at least partially within the lumen of the first elongate shaft, wherein the swellable polymer of the layer comprising a swellable polymer is a hydrophilic polymer, wherein swelling of the layer comprising a swellable polymer applies pressure to an inner surface of the first elongate shaft which results in a change of stiffness of the adjustable catheter.