Catheter

Abstract

The catheter 1 has a tubular catheter body 2 made from a metal material. A groove 21 is formed in the outer periphery of the catheter body 2 in the longitudinal direction. This groove 21 is formed by plastically transforming the tubular wall of the catheter body 2 by plastic treatment. Thus, there is provided a catheter which has excellent followability and high ease of operation while maintaining torque transmissibility and pushability.

1 . A catheter having a tubular catheter body made from a metal material, wherein 
 the catheter body has a groove formed in a longitudinal direction in the outer periphery of at least the distal end side portion thereof in such a manner that the tubular wall is caved in; and    the thickness of the tubular wall of the catheter body is almost constant along the entire circumference including the groove formed portion.    
   
   
       2 . A catheter according to  claim 1 , wherein the groove is formed along almost the entire length of the catheter body.  
   
   
       3 . A catheter according to  claim 1  which has a portion where the depth of the groove decreases continuously or stepwise toward the proximal end.  
   
   
       4 . A catheter according to  claim 1 , wherein the catheter body is made from stainless steel or pseudoelastic alloy.  
   
   
       5 . A catheter according to  claim 1  further comprising a tubular member, made from a synthetic resin material, for covering the outer periphery of at least the distal end side portion of the catheter body and extending farther in the distal end direction than the distal end of the catheter body.  
   
   
       6 . A catheter according to  claim 1 , wherein plural slits are formed in the tubular wall of the distal end side portion of the catheter body and extend in a direction almost perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the catheter body.  
   
   
       7 . A catheter according to  claim 1 , wherein spiral slits are formed in the tubular wall of the distal end side portion of the catheter body and wherein the spiral pitch between the spiral slits become smaller continuously or stepwise toward the distal end.  
   
   
       8 . A method of inserting a catheter into a blood vessel comprising: 
 inserting a guide wire into a blood vessel;    inserting and advancing a catheter along the guide wire in the blood vessel, the catheter comprising a tubular catheter body made from a metal material and possessing a groove formed in a longitudinal direction in the outer periphery of at least the distal end side portion thereof in such a manner that the tubular wall is caved in, the thickness of the tubular wall of the catheter body is almost constant along the entire circumference including the groove formed portion;    turning the catheter body such that the groove formed portion is positioned on an inner side of a curvature of the blood vessel to permit the catheter body to be bent in conformity to the curvature of the blood vessel so that the catheter body can be advanced in the blood vessel.