Patent ID: 7780646

Claim:
A medical device, comprising: a proximal shaft section and a distal shaft section extending distally of the proximal shaft section; the proximal shaft section includes a tubular shaft having a proximal junction and a distal junction and including a first polymer layer; a plurality of slits defined in the tubular shaft; wherein a greater number of slits are disposed near the distal junction of the tubular shaft than near the proximal junction of the tubular shaft; the distal shaft section including a braid attached to the distal junction of the tubular shaft and at least a distal portion of the braid is disposed over and contacting the first polymer layer; wherein the braid is disposed over the distal junction of the tubular shaft such that a portion of the braid is located proximal of the distal junction of the tubular shaft; and a second polymer layer disposed over the tubular shaft and the braid.