Patent ID: 12220543

The drawings are not necessarily to scale and may be illustrated by phantom lines, diagrammatic representations and fragmentary views. In certain instances, details unnecessary for an understanding of the embodiments (and/or details that render other details difficult to perceive) may have been omitted. Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several figures of the drawings. Elements in the several figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not been drawn to scale. The dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be emphasized relative to other elements for facilitating an understanding of the various disclosed embodiments. In addition, common, and well-understood, elements that are useful in commercially feasible embodiments are often not depicted to provide a less obstructed view of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

LISTING OF REFERENCE NUMERALSUSED IN THE DRAWINGSelongated medical catheter102first catheter section102Asecond catheter section102Bcatheter lumen103catheter distal portion104catheter proximal portion106marker band200first end portion301second end portion302first sideband401second sideband402sidebands(401, 402)jig assembly900heat902heater904

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE NON-LIMITING EMBODIMENT(S)

The following detailed description is merely exemplary and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. The scope of the disclosure is defined by the claims. For the description, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “rear,” “right,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the examples as oriented in the drawings. There is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory in the preceding Technical Field, Background, Summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are exemplary embodiments (examples), aspects and/or concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. It is understood that the phrase “at least one” is equivalent to “a”. The aspects (examples, alterations, modifications, options, variations, embodiments and any equivalent thereof) are described regarding the drawings. It should be understood that the disclosure is limited to the subject matter provided by the claims, and that the disclosure is not limited to the particular aspects depicted and described. It will be appreciated that the scope of the meaning of a device configured to be coupled to an item (that is, to be connected to, to interact with the item, etc.) is to be interpreted as the device being configured to be coupled to the item, either directly or indirectly. Therefore, “configured to” may include the meaning “either directly or indirectly” unless specifically stated otherwise.

FIG.1andFIG.2depict a side view (FIG.1) and a cross-sectional view (FIG.2) of embodiments (implementations) of an elongated medical catheter102.

Referring to the embodiment (implementation) as depicted inFIG.1, the elongated medical catheter102includes a marker band200with sidebands (401,402). The elongated medical catheter102and the marker band200have a radiopacity that is different from the radiopacity of the sidebands (401,402). Radiopacity or radiodensity is opacity to the radio wave and/or X-ray portion of the electromagnetic spectrum: that is, the relative inability of those kinds of electromagnetic radiation to pass through a particular material. The elongated medical catheter102includes a marker band200with sidebands (401,402) that have a sufficient degree of radiopacity such that a medical imaging system is able to detect these components. The sidebands (401,402) are, preferably, positioned on opposite sides of the marker band200; it will be appreciated that the sidebands (401,402) may be positioned either proximate to the opposite sides of the marker band200, or somewhat further away (if so desired). The elongated medical catheter102defines a catheter lumen103extending along a longitudinal axis of the elongated medical catheter102. The elongated medical catheter102is configured to be inserted into a confined space defined by a living body (the patient).

Referring to the embodiment (implementation) as depicted inFIG.1, the elongated medical catheter102includes biocompatible material properties suitable for specific performance (such as, electric dielectric strength, electric insulation, corrosion, water resistance, heat resistance, etc.) for compliance with industrial and regulatory safety standards (or compatible for medical usage), etc. Reference is made to the following publication for consideration in the selection of a suitable material: Plastics in Medical Devices: Properties, Requirements, and Applications; 2nd Edition; author: Vinny R. Sastri; hardcover ISBN: 9781455732012; published: 21 Nov. 2013; publisher: Amsterdam [Pays-Bas]: Elsevier/William Andrew, [2014].

Referring to the embodiment (implementation) as depicted inFIG.1, the elongated medical catheter102has, preferably a catheter distal portion104and a catheter proximal portion106. The catheter distal portion104and the catheter proximal portion106are spaced apart from each other. The marker band200is, preferably, positioned between the catheter distal portion104and the catheter proximal portion106. The sidebands (401,402) include, for instance, a first sideband401and a second sideband402. The first sideband401is positioned proximate to the marker band200(preferably, to one side of the marker band200). The second sideband402is positioned proximate to the marker band200(preferably, to the other side of the marker band200). The radiopacity of the elongated medical catheter102and the marker band200is different from the radiopacity of the first sideband401and the second sideband402; this is done, preferably, in such a way that there is a contrast set up (between selected components of the elongated medical catheter102, in which the contrast may be (readily) detected by a compatible medical-imaging system (such as, an x-ray system etc.).

Referring to the embodiment (implementation) as depicted inFIG.1, the elongated medical catheter102includes a first catheter section102A and a second catheter section102B. The first catheter section102A is positioned proximate to the first sideband401. The second catheter section102B is positioned proximate to the second sideband402.

Referring to the embodiment (implementation) as depicted inFIG.2, the catheter lumen103extends through the first sideband401, the second sideband402and the marker band200. More preferably, the catheter lumen103extends through the first sideband401, the second sideband402, the marker band200, the first catheter section102A and the second catheter section102B.

FIG.3,FIG.4andFIG.5depict perspective views of embodiments (implementations) of the elongated medical catheter102ofFIG.1.

Referring to the embodiment (implementation) as depicted inFIG.3, the marker band200has a first end portion301and a second end portion302. The first end portion301and the second end portion302are spaced apart from each other. The first sideband401is positioned proximate to the first end portion301of the marker band200. The second sideband402is positioned proximate to the second end portion302of the marker band200. The elongated medical catheter102has a catheter radiopacity. The marker band200has a marker-band radiopacity. The first sideband401has a first sideband radiopacity. The second sideband402has a second sideband radiopacity. The first sideband radiopacity of the first sideband401is less than the catheter radiopacity of the catheter102. The second sideband radiopacity of the second sideband402is less than the marker-band radiopacity of the marker band200. It will be appreciated that an equivalent to “less than” may include “different from”.

Referring to the embodiment (implementation) as depicted inFIG.3, a first step in the manufacturing the of the elongated medical catheter102includes positioning the first sideband401, the second sideband402, the marker band200, the first catheter section102A and the second catheter section102B in a spaced apart coaxial relationship.

Referring to the embodiment (implementation) as depicted inFIG.4, a second step in the manufacturing the of the elongated medical catheter102includes positioning the first sideband401, the second sideband402, the marker band200, the first catheter section102A and the second catheter section102B in an alignment relationship for insertion into an elongated jog assembly900. The elongated jog assembly900is configured to securely hold these components while the components are attached to each other. Once these components are attached to each other, the lumen may be formed to extend through these components, etc.

Referring to the embodiment (implementation) as depicted inFIG.4, a third step in the manufacturing the of the elongated medical catheter102includes applying heat902(via a heater904) to the first sideband401, the second sideband402, the marker band200, the first catheter section102A and the second catheter section102B after these components are positioned into the elongated jog assembly900. The application of heat (or any type of suitable bonding method) is done in such a way that the segments become bonded to neighboring segments by melting these segments together so that they end up behaving as one piece of tubing. Gluing the segments together may be possible but might be less practical.

Referring to the embodiment (implementation) as depicted inFIG.5, the amount of heat and the time for application of such heat should be enough to bond the second catheter section102B with the first sideband401, the first sideband401with the marker band200, the marker band200with the second sideband402, and the second sideband402with the first catheter section102A.

Referring to the embodiment (implementation) as depicted inFIG.5, the radiopacity of the elongated medical catheter102is reduced (preferably, only) in or at the near vicinity of the marker band200by reducing the proportion of, or entirely omitting, radiopaque materials in that area of the elongated medical catheter102located proximate to the marker band200. As the difference between the radiopacity of the marker band200and elongated medical catheter102increases, the local contrast (visual) under fluoroscopy (under a medical imaging system) may be improved. The elongated medical catheter102may, advantageously, improves the visibility of the radiopaque features of the elongated medical catheter102(by a compatible medical-imaging system), which in turn may lead to easier use, smaller catheters and/or lower X-ray doses, etc. The elongated medical catheter102has a decrease in radiopacity at a near vicinity of the marker band200; this is done in such a way that the difference in radiopacity, between the elongated medical catheter102and the marker band200, is increased (at least in part). For the elongated medical catheter102that incorporate radiopaque fillers and/or additives into their materials, this may be achieved by reducing the radiopaque filler content near the marker band200. The marker band200may have an area (zone) with a relatively higher radiopaque filler content.

The following is offered as further description of the embodiments, in which any one or more of any technical feature (described in the detailed description, the summary and the claims) may be combinable with any other one or more of any technical feature (described in the detailed description, the summary and the claims). It is understood that each claim in the claims section is an open ended claim unless stated otherwise. Unless otherwise specified, relational terms used in these specifications should be construed to include certain tolerances that the person skilled in the art would recognize as providing equivalent functionality. By way of example, the term perpendicular is not necessarily limited to 90.0 degrees, and may include a variation thereof that the person skilled in the art would recognize as providing equivalent functionality for the purposes described for the relevant member or element. Terms such as “about” and “substantially”, in the context of configuration, relate generally to disposition, location, or configuration that are either exact or sufficiently close to the location, disposition, or configuration of the relevant element to preserve operability of the element within the disclosure which does not materially modify the disclosure. Similarly, unless specifically made clear from its context, numerical values should be construed to include certain tolerances that the person skilled in the art would recognize as having negligible importance as they do not materially change the operability of the disclosure. It will be appreciated that the description and/or drawings identify and describe embodiments of the apparatus (either explicitly or inherently). The apparatus may include any suitable combination and/or permutation of the technical features as identified in the detailed description, as may be required and/or desired to suit a particular technical purpose and/or technical function. It will be appreciated that, where possible and suitable, any one or more of the technical features of the apparatus may be combined with any other one or more of the technical features of the apparatus (in any combination and/or permutation). It will be appreciated that persons skilled in the art would know that the technical features of each embodiment may be deployed (where possible) in other embodiments even if not expressly stated as such above. It will be appreciated that persons skilled in the art would know that other options may be possible for the configuration of the components of the apparatus to adjust to manufacturing requirements and still remain within the scope as described in at least one or more of the claims. This written description provides embodiments, including the best mode, and also enables the person skilled in the art to make and use the embodiments. The patentable scope may be defined by the claims. The written description and/or drawings may help to understand the scope of the claims. It is believed that all the crucial aspects of the disclosed subject matter have been provided in this document. It is understood, for this document, that the word “includes” is equivalent to the word “comprising” in that both words are used to signify an open-ended listing of assemblies, components, parts, etc. The term “comprising”, which is synonymous with the terms “including,” “containing,” or “characterized by,” is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. Comprising (comprised of) is an “open” phrase and allows coverage of technologies that employ additional, unrecited elements. When used in a claim, the word “comprising” is the transitory verb (transitional term) that separates the preamble of the claim from the technical features of the disclosure. The foregoing has outlined the non-limiting embodiments (examples). The description is made for particular non-limiting embodiments (examples). It is understood that the non-limiting embodiments are merely illustrative as examples.