Patent ID: 7553305
Filing Date: 2009-06-30
Classification: A61M,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A deflectable catheter comprising: a catheter body including a deflectable distal end portion; a flexible element including a flexible element distal portion extending along at least a portion of the deflectable distal end portion; at least one skirt extending at least part way around the flexible element distal portion and secured to the flexible element distal portion at a deformed portion of the skirt, the at least one skirt including a flared projection at one or both of a skirt proximal end or a skirt distal end; and the flexible distal end portion is at least partially received within the flared projection; an encapsulant coupled between the at least one skirt and the deflectable distal end portion, wherein the encapsulant is adapted to transmit pushing and pulling forces from the at least one skirt to the deflectable distal end portion, the encapsulant is received within the flared projection, and the encapsulant forms at least a portion of an outer surface of the deflectable distal end portion; and wherein the tension strength and compression strength of the flexible element and the at least one skirt are at least as strong as the encapsulant tension strength and compression strength.