Patent ID: 9168353
Filing Date: 2015-10-27
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. A catheter generally flexible to conform to vascular areas of a body having a diameter of not more than 4 mm in combination with a guidewire, the combination comprising: a catheter extending from a proximal end to a distal end and having an intermediate section therebetween; a variable stiffness guidewire slidably disposable within a lumen of the catheter, the guidewire having a guidewire proximal end and extending to a distal segment terminating at a guidewire distal end; the lumen sized to receive the guidewire therein; the catheter having a curved distal tip characterized by a single pre-formed curved portion in the distal end of the catheter, the pre-formed curved portion defining a pre-determined curvature; the curved distal tip rotatable to different orientations by rotations of the proximal end of the catheter; and the curved distal tip having a varying flexibility; wherein the catheter and the guidewire are configured such that the pre-formed curved portion incrementally straightens from the pre-determined curvature toward a straightened shape as the distal segment is distally advanced through the curved distal tip, and self-reverts from the straightened shape toward the pre-determined curvature as the distal segment is proximally refracted from the curved distal tip; and further wherein the combination is characterized by effectuating complete transitioning between the pre-determined curvature and the straightened shape in the absence of a presence of a separate sheath slidably disposed over the catheter.