Charles W Daugherty

US Patent:

6375774, Apr 23, 2002

Filed:

May 28, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/322473

Inventors:

Peter Lunn - Beverly MA
Nasser Rafiee - Andover MA
Charles Daugherty - Jamestown OH

Assignee:

Medtronic, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

B23K 2638

US Classification:

156158, 1563042, 1563046, 264138, 264248, 264400, 604282, 21912169

Abstract:

An intravascular medical catheter and method of manufacturing a medical catheter are provided herein. The medical catheter includes a catheter shaft having an inner liner, a reinforcing section and an outer shell. As provided herein, a groove is formed in the outer shell of the catheter shaft near a distal end of the catheter shaft with a laser. The groove can be filled with a fill section which is made of a relatively soft material. This improves the flexibility of the distal end so that the medical catheter has improved tracking and movement in the body vessel. Further, because the reinforcing section is continuous under the groove, the catheter shaft is durable and inhibits kinking during movement in the body vessel.

US Patent:

60597690, May 9, 2000

Filed:

Oct 2, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/165824

Inventors:

Peter Lunn - Beverly MA
Nasser Rafiee - Andover MA
Charles Daugherty - Jamestown OH

Assignee:

Medtronic, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

A61M 2500

US Classification:

604523

Abstract:

An intravascular medical catheter and method of manufacturing a medical catheter are provided herein. The medical catheter includes a catheter shaft having an inner liner, a reinforcing section and an outer shell. As provided herein, a groove is formed in the outer shell of the catheter shaft near a distal end of the catheter shaft with a laser. The groove can be filled with a fill section which is made of a relatively soft material. This improves the flexibility of the distal end so that the medical catheter has improved tracking and movement in the body vessel. Further, because the reinforcing section is continuous under the groove, the catheter shaft is durable and inhibits kinking during movement in the body vessel.