Patent ID: 7625367

Claim:
A telescoping catheter adapted for use within a human body, the catheter comprising: a proximal end; a telescoping section comprising a distal end; a cable extending from the proximal end to the distal end; a first sheath coupled to the proximal end, the first sheath extending distally along the cable and substantially surrounding the cable when the catheter is fully retracted; a second sheath coupled to the distal end, the second sheath extending proximally from the distal end and substantially surrounding the cable when the catheter is fully retracted, the second sheath adapted to slideably engage the first sheath so as to extend or retract the catheter; and a third sheath coupled to the distal end and located within the second sheath, the third sheath extending proximally along the cable through at least a portion of each of the first sheath and the second sheath when the catheter is fully extended and closely surrounding the cable from the distal end to a point within the first sheath beyond a proximal end of the second sheath.