Modular vascular catheter

Abstract

A catheter is provided that comprises at least one proximal tubular module and a distal tubular module, each of the tubular modules having at least one section with spiral cuts, each pair of adjacent tubular modules are coupled by a joint, the joint comprising, (a) at least one snap-fit connector on a first tubular module and a snap-fit acceptor positioned on the adjacent tubular module, the snap-fit connector being elastically deformable when engaged, and (b) at least one stabilizing element, including, a tongue element positioned on the first tubular module or the adjacent tubular module, and a groove element positioned on the opposite, first tubular module or the opposite, adjacent tubular module.

1 - 65 . (canceled) 
     
     
         66 . A catheter comprising:
 a first tubular module and a second tubular module coupled to the first tubular module by a joint, the joint comprising:
 (a) at least one connector on the first tubular module and at least one acceptor positioned on the second tubular module, 
 wherein the at least one connector and at least one acceptor are level with inner and outer surfaces of the first tubular module and the second tubular module when coupled together to define a continuous lumen with a uniform diameter therethrough, and 
 wherein the at least one connector prevents the first and second tubular modules from rotating circumferentially at the joint; and 
 (b) at least one stabilizing element positioned on the first tubular module, wherein the at least one stabilizing element is level with inner and outer surfaces of the first tubular module and the second tubular module when coupled together, wherein the at least one stabilizing element prevents the first and second tubular modules from pivoting with respect to each other, and 
 wherein the stabilizing element has a different shape than the at least one connector. 
   
     
     
         67 . The catheter of  claim 66 , wherein the at least one connector includes a cantilever joint. 
     
     
         68 . The catheter of  claim 66 , wherein the at least one stabilizing element does not include a cantilever joint. 
     
     
         69 . The catheter of  claim 66 , wherein the second tubular module is formed from Nitinol. 
     
     
         70 . The catheter of  claim 69 , wherein the first tubular module is formed from stainless steel of SAE grade selected from 304, 316, 402, and 440, 17-7 precipitation hardened stainless steel (PH), or Nickel Cobalt Alloy (MP35N). 
     
     
         71 . The catheter of  claim 66 , wherein at least a portion of the joint is enclosed with a tubular cover. 
     
     
         72 . The catheter of  claim 66 , wherein a filament is threaded in a spiral configuration around at least a portion of the first and second tubular modules. 
     
     
         73 . The catheter of  claim 66 , wherein at least a portion of at least one tubular module is covered with a polymer jacket. 
     
     
         74 . The catheter of  claim 73 , wherein the polymer jacket is formed from nylon, polyether block amide, PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), FEP (fluorinated ethylene propylene), PFA (perfluoroalkoxy alkane), PET (polyethylene terephthalate) or PEEK (polyether ether ketone). 
     
     
         75 . The catheter of  claim 66 , wherein at least a portion of the continuous lumen is coated with a lining. 
     
     
         76 . The catheter of  claim 75 , wherein the lining is formed from nylon, polyether block amide, PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), FEP (fluorinated ethylene propylene), PFA (perfluoroalkoxy alkane), PET (polyethylene terephthalate) or PEEK (polyether ether ketone). 
     
     
         77 . The catheter of  claim 66 , wherein at least one edge of the connector and acceptor are beveled at an angle ranging between about 5° to 90°. 
     
     
         78 . The catheter of  claim 66 , wherein the at least one stabilizing element prevents the first and second tubular modules from rotating with respect to each other. 
     
     
         79 . The catheter of  claim 66 , wherein the diameter of the continuous lumen is maintained around a central luminal axis when the first or second tubular module form a curvilinear shape. 
     
     
         80 . The catheter of  claim 66 , wherein the at least one connector extends from the first tubular module and has the same wall thickness as the first tubular module. 
     
     
         81 . The catheter of  claim 66 , wherein the tongue element has a rectangular shape.