Patent ID: 8282677

Claim:
A variable stiffness heating catheter for use in interventional vascular therapy, comprising: a heating catheter shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, said heating catheter shaft including at least one electrically conductive member having a proximal end and a distal end; a reinforcing tube having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the reinforcing tube surrounding said at least one electrically conductive member, and said reinforcing tube having a surface defining a plurality of groups of axially oriented apertures configured to provide variations in stiffness along a length of the heating catheter shaft, each of said groups of axially oriented apertures including a plurality of axially aligned round holes; and at least one outer coaxial sheath over at least a portion of said at least one electrically conductive member and said reinforcing tube and covering said plurality of apertures of said reinforcing tube.