Patent ID: 9119936
Filing Date: 2015-09-01
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
1. A catheter comprising: a sheath possessing a size configured to be inserted into a living body; the sheath including a tubular reinforcement layer comprised of at least one layer; the tubular reinforcement layer including a spiral slit extending continuously from a distal side of the tubular reinforcement layer to a proximal side of the tubular reinforcement layer; one portion of the spiral slit extending spirally through a proximal slit portion of the tubular reinforcement layer, and an other portion of the slit extending in a slit termination portion of the tubular reinforcement layer which is located immediately proximally of the proximal slit portion of the tubular reinforcement layer so that the other portion of the slit which is in the slit termination portion immediately proximally follows the one portion of the slit which is in the proximal slit portion of the tubular reinforcement layer, the slit terminating at a termination end located at a proximal-most end of the slit termination portion; a proximal end portion of the one portion of the slit including a plurality of axially adjacent spirals of the slit; the other portion of the slit which is in the slit termination portion of the tubular reinforcement layer and the one portion of the slit which is in the proximal slit portion of the tubular reinforcement layer extending at an inclination angle relative to a circumferential direction of the intermediate tube; and a part of the other portion of the slit which is in the slit termination portion possessing an axis which intersects the spiral of the one portion of the slit that is immediately axially adjacent the other portion of the slit as seen from a side of the catheter so that the inclination angle of the other portion of the slit which is in the slit termination portion is larger than the inclination angle of the slit in the proximal slit portion to thereby reduce occurrence of a crack at the termination end.