Patent ID: 6554820
Filing Date: 2003-04-29
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
A flexible composite tube for medical applications having a longitudinal axis, comprising:a tubular braid adapted to transfer a torque along the longitudinal axis, wherein the tubular braid is made of intertwined wire elements and extends as a substantially continuous tube along the longitudinal axis; at least one coil disposed longitudinally along the tube, adapted to limit radial movement of the tubular braid, wherein said at least one coil is not interwoven with any other coil and is disposed radially inward of the tubular braid; a second coil disposed radially outward of the tubular braid, wherein the second coil has lower stiffness than the coil disposed radially inward of the tubular braid; and a tube-shaped elastic layer, wherein the tubular braid is embedded in the elastic layer, the tube-like elastic layer forming a composite element with the tubular braid to restrict relative movement of the wire elements.