Catheter for percutaneous transradial approach

Abstract

A preshaped tubular catheter for percutaneous transradial approach to catheterization, comprises a distal bridge shaped portion having a distal arch defining a primary curve, a top defining a secondary curve, and a proximal arch defining a tertiary curve. The proximal arch is connected to a straight shaft. The shaft is stiff and the bridge shaped portion has a flexibility extending at least up to and including the primary curve and a stiffness extending at least up to and including the tertiary curve.

1 . A preshaped catheter, comprising: 
 a tubular, generally straight end segment;    a plurality of generally straight segments proximal of the end segment; and    a plurality of curved segments; and    means for permitting the end segment to coaxially intubate a lumen of a left coronary artery having an ostium, whether the left coronary artery has a horizontal take-off, an upward take-off, or a downward take-off, while a portion of the catheter rests on a portion of a wall of an aorta when the end segment is intubated in the lumen.    
   
   
       2 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the portion of the catheter is adapted to rest on a portion of the wall of an aorta generally opposite the wall having the ostium of the left coronary artery.  
   
   
       3 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of generally straight segments and the plurality of curved segments are configured to permit the end segment to coaxially intubate a lumen of a right coronary artery having an ostium, whether the right coronary artery has a horizontal take-off, a vertical take-off, an upward take-off, or a downward take-off, and are configured so that a portion of the catheter rests on a portion of a wall of an aorta when the end segment is intubated in the lumen of the right coronary artery.  
   
   
       4 . The catheter of  claim 3 , wherein the portion of the catheter is adapted to rest on a portion of the wall of an aorta generally opposite the wall having the ostium of the right coronary artery.  
   
   
       5 . The catheter of  claim 1 , further comprising a generally straight proximal segment, and wherein a portion between the proximal segment and the end segment is more flexible than the proximal segment or the end segment.  
   
   
       6 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end segment and the proximal segment are generally parallel when the catheter is in an unconstrained position.  
   
   
       7 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of curved segments extend over a corresponding plurality of angles, and wherein the plurality of angles total about 180 degrees.  
   
   
       8 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of curved segments extend over a corresponding plurality of angles, and wherein the plurality of angles exceed about 180 degrees.  
   
   
       9 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the end segment is more flexible than the plurality of generally straight segments.  
   
   
       10 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of curved segments comprise a primary curve, a secondary curve, and a tertiary curve.  
   
   
       11 . The catheter of  claim 10 , wherein the primary curve extends through an angle of about 45 degrees.  
   
   
       12 . The catheter of  claim 10 , wherein the secondary curve extends through an angle of about 90 degrees.  
   
   
       13 . The catheter of  claim 10 , wherein the tertiary curve extends through an angle of about 45 degrees.  
   
   
       14 . The catheter of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of generally straight segments comprise a first segment disposed between the primary and the secondary curve and a second straight segment disposed between the secondary and the tertiary curve.  
   
   
       15 . The catheter of  claim 14 , wherein the first segment and the second segment are essentially the same length.  
   
   
       16 . A catheter, comprising: 
 a distal bridge portion including a first straight region, a second straight region, a third straight region, a primary curve disposed between the first and second straight regions, a secondary curve disposed between the second and third straight regions, a tertiary curve disposed proximal to the third straight region;    a proximal shaft portion connected to the tertiary curve; and    means to co-axially align the first straight region within a coronary artery, whether the coronary artery has a horizontal take-off, an upward take-off, or a downward take-off.    
   
   
       17 . The catheter of  claim 16 , wherein the coronary artery is a left coronary artery.  
   
   
       18 . The catheter of  claim 16 , wherein the coronary artery is a right coronary artery.  
   
   
       19 . The catheter of  claim 16 , wherein the catheter is configured so that a portion of the catheter may rest against a wall of the aorta opposite the coronary artery when the first straight region is within the coronary artery.  
   
   
       20 . The catheter of  claim 16 , wherein a distal portion of the bridge portion is more flexible than a proximal portion of the bridge portion.