Patent ID: 8480654
Filing Date: 2013-07-09
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. A catheter for insertion into a patient's body, the catheter comprising: an elongated member having a proximal portion extending to a distal portion and a lumen formed therethrough, the elongated member formed of polymeric material including shape memory polymers having a first phase transition temperature and a second phase transition temperature that is less than the first phase transition temperature but greater than about room temperature, the elongated member having a first configuration at about room temperature for insertion into the patient's body and self-configures to a second configuration at a first temperature of at least the second phase transition temperature for fluid communication with the patient's body, at least a portion of the lumen having a larger flow area in the second configuration than in the first configuration, and a third configuration for removal from the patient's body and self-configures from the second configuration to the third configuration at a second temperature of at least the first phase transition temperature, the distal portion of the elongated member having an outer dimension that is less in the third configuration than in the second configuration.