Elongate Medical Device with Continuous Reinforcement Member

Abstract

An elongate medical device including an inner elongate member, a reinforcing member, and an outer tubular member is described. The reinforcing member may be a helically wound continuous wire including a first portion having a first cross-sectional profile, a second portion having a second cross-sectional profile, and a transition region located between the first portion and the second portion. The first cross-sectional profile may be different from the second cross-sectional profile. In some embodiments, the first cross-sectional profile may be circular or non-circular and the second cross-sectional profile may be circular or non-circular.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A medical device, comprising:
 a tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end;   wherein the tubular member has a plurality of slots formed therein;   a liner disposed within the tubular member;   wherein the liner has a distal end region disposed distally of the distal end of the tubular member; and   wherein the liner has a proximal end region disposed proximally of the proximal end of the tubular member.   
     
     
         3 . The medical device of  claim 2 , wherein the liner includes a plurality of layers. 
     
     
         4 . The medical device of  claim 2 , wherein the liner includes a reinforcement layer. 
     
     
         5 . The medical device of  claim 4 , wherein the reinforcement layer includes a braid. 
     
     
         6 . The medical device of  claim 4 , wherein the reinforcement layer includes a polymer. 
     
     
         7 . The medical device of  claim 4 , wherein the reinforcement layer includes a polymer braid. 
     
     
         8 . The medical device of  claim 2 , further comprising a hub secured to the tubular member and to the liner. 
     
     
         9 . The medical device of  claim 2 , wherein the liner is free from attachment to the tubular member along at least a portion of the length of the liner. 
     
     
         10 . The medical device of  claim 2 , wherein the tubular member includes a nickel-titanium alloy. 
     
     
         11 . The medical device of  claim 2 , wherein a coating is disposed along an outer surface of the tubular member. 
     
     
         12 . The medical device of  claim 2 , wherein a tip member is disposed along the distal end region of the liner. 
     
     
         13 . The medical device of  claim 2 , wherein the liner is secured to the tubular member at one or more attachment points. 
     
     
         14 . A catheter, comprising:
 a catheter shaft, the catheter shaft including an outer nickel-titanium alloy tubular member and an inner liner;   wherein the outer tubular member has a plurality of slots formed therein;   wherein the inner liner is free from attachment to the outer tubular member along at least a portion of the length of the inner liner;   wherein the inner liner has a distal end region disposed distally of a distal end of the outer tubular member;   wherein the inner liner has a proximal end region disposed proximally of a proximal end of the outer tubular member; and   wherein the inner liner includes a reinforcing member.   
     
     
         15 . The catheter of  claim 14 , wherein the reinforcing member includes a braid. 
     
     
         16 . The catheter of  claim 14 , wherein the reinforcing member include a polymer. 
     
     
         17 . The catheter of  claim 14 , wherein the reinforcing member include a polymer braid. 
     
     
         18 . The catheter of  claim 14 , wherein a tip member is disposed along the distal end region of the inner liner. 
     
     
         19 . The catheter of  claim 14 , wherein the inner liner is secured to the outer tubular member at one or more attachment points. 
     
     
         20 . A catheter, comprising:
 a catheter shaft, the catheter shaft including an outer nickel-titanium alloy tubular member and a multi-layer inner liner;   wherein the outer tubular member has a plurality of slots formed therein;   wherein the inner liner is free from attachment to the outer tubular member along at least a portion of the length of the inner liner;   wherein the inner liner has a distal end region disposed distally of a distal end of the outer tubular member;   a tip member disposed on the distal end region of the inner liner;   wherein the inner liner has a proximal end region disposed proximally of a proximal end of the outer tubular member;   a hub coupled to the proximal end region; and   wherein the inner liner includes a braided reinforcing member.   
     
     
         21 . The catheter of  claim 20 , wherein the braided reinforcing member includes a polymer.