Patent ID: 6896671

Claim:
A catheter comprising: (A) a tube formed of plastic defining a tube proximal end, a tube distal end, and a tube body connecting said tube proximal and distal ends; (B) a helical spring coil formed of metal defining a coil proximal end, a coil distal end, and a coil body connecting said coil proximal and distal ends; and (C) a ribbon which is longitudinally substantially non-extendable and defines a ribbon proximal end, a ribbon distal end, and a ribbon body connecting said ribbon proximal and distal ends; said coil being coaxially disposed within said tube and substantially coextensive longitudinally with said tube; said ribbon being disposed within said coil, said proximal ends of said ribbon and said coil being secured together, and said ribbon distal end being secured to said coil body at a predetermined point on said coil body adjacent but proximally spaced from said coil distal end; whereby said ribbon precludes substantial longitudinal extension of said coil body intermediate said coil proximal end and said predetermined point on said coil body, thereby to limit longitudinal extension and increase the pull strength of said catheter.