Guide extension catheters and methods for manufacturing the same

Abstract

Guide extension catheters and methods of manufacturing and using guide extension catheters are disclosed. An example guide extension catheter may include a distal sheath having a proximal opening, a distal opening, and a central lumen extending therebetween. The guide extension catheter may also include a proximal shaft having an outer diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the distal sheath, the proximal shaft including a distal opening. The guide extension catheter may also include a coupling member for securing the distal sheath to the proximal shaft. The coupling member may include a distal portion attached to the distal sheath and a proximal portion disposed within the distal opening of the proximal shaft.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A guide extension catheter, comprising:
 a distal sheath having a proximal opening, a distal opening, and a central lumen extending therebetween;   a proximal shaft having an outer diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the distal sheath, the proximal shaft including a distal opening; and   a coupling member for securing the distal sheath to the proximal shaft, the coupling member including a distal portion fixedly attached to the distal sheath and a proximal portion disposed within the distal opening of the proximal shaft; and   wherein the coupling member has two or more holes formed therein.   
     
     
         2 . The guide extension catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the holes are aligned transverse to a longitudinal direction of the coupling member. 
     
     
         3 . The guide extension catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the holes are filled with a polymer reflow material to facilitate an attachment between the coupling member and the distal sheath. 
     
     
         4 . The guide extension catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the holes are formed on the distal portion of the coupling member. 
     
     
         5 . The guide extension catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the distal sheath includes a reinforcing member. 
     
     
         6 . The guide extension catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal shaft includes a metallic hypotube. 
     
     
         7 . The guide extension catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal shaft includes a polymer. 
     
     
         8 . The guide extension catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal portion of the coupling member is secured to the proximal shaft with a crimp bond. 
     
     
         9 . The guide extension catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal portion of the coupling member is secured to the proximal shaft with a stamped bond. 
     
     
         10 . A method for manufacturing a guide extension catheter, the method comprising:
 providing a distal sheath having an outer diameter and a central lumen;   providing a proximal shaft having a distal opening and an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the distal sheath;   providing a coupling member having a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the coupling member has two or more holes formed therein;   securing the distal portion of the coupling member to the distal sheath; and   inserting the proximal portion of the coupling member into the distal opening of the proximal shaft.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein providing the coupling member includes providing a sheet of material and disposing the sheet of material onto a mandrel. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein disposing the sheet of material onto a mandrel includes press die rolling. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein providing the coupling member includes cutting a proximal region of a hypotube. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein securing the distal portion of the coupling member to the distal sheath includes securing the distal portion of the coupling member to the distal sheath with a polymer reflow process. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein providing the coupling member includes forming one or more holes on the distal portion of the coupling member. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein securing the distal portion of the coupling member to the distal sheath includes filing the one or more holes formed on the distal portion of the coupling member with polymer reflow material. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein providing the coupling member includes forming two or more holes in the distal portion of the coupling member and aligning the two or more holes in the distal portion of the coupling member transverse to a longitudinal direction of the coupling member. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising securing the proximal portion of the coupling member to the proximal shaft. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein securing the proximal portion of the coupling member to the proximal shaft includes one of stamping and crimping. 
     
     
         20 . A method for accessing a coronary artery, the method comprising:
 providing a guide catheter;   advancing the guide catheter through a blood vessel to a position adjacent to an ostium of a coronary artery;   providing a guide extension catheter, the guide extension catheter including:
 a distal sheath having a proximal opening, a distal opening, and a central lumen extending therebetween, 
 a proximal shaft having an outer diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the distal sheath, the proximal shaft including a distal opening, and 
 a coupling member for securing the distal sheath to the proximal shaft, the coupling member including a distal portion attached to the distal sheath and a proximal portion disposed within the distal opening of the proximal shaft, wherein the distal portion of the coupling member has two or more holes formed therein; 
   advancing the guide extension catheter through the guide catheter to a location where at least a portion of the distal sheath extends distally beyond a distal end of the guide catheter and into the coronary artery; and   advancing a treatment catheter through the guide catheter.