Braided crescent ribbon catheter reinforcement

Abstract

A catheter comprising a base material, an optional body material, and a braid structure having crescent-shaped ribbons braided into the structure. Various biocompatible polymers can function as base or body materials. When a ribbon is metallic, various biocompatible materials can function in the ribbon. The crescent of a crescent ribbon can face luminally or abluminally.

1 . A catheter comprising a base material contacting a braid structure disposed about the luminal axis of the catheter and comprising a plurality of crescent ribbons with concave sides facing luminally, wherein the crescent ribbons consist essentially of a metal that is any one or any combination of biocompatible metals, and wherein the base material comprises any one or any combination of polyurethanes, silicones, polyethers, thermoset polymeric material, polyesters, polyamides, fluoropolymers, polyolefins, PVC, polyimides, or PEEK. 
     
     
         2 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the base material is a film and the film contacts the braid structure on an inside of the braid structure, on an outside of the braid structure, or on the inside and the outside of the braid structure. 
     
     
         3 . A catheter comprising a base material contacting a braid structure disposed about the luminal axis of the catheter and comprising a plurality of crescent ribbons with concave sides. 
     
     
         4 . The catheter of  claim 3 , wherein the concave side of the crescent ribbons face luminally. 
     
     
         5 . The catheter of  claim 3 , wherein the concave side of the crescent ribbons face abluminally. 
     
     
         6 . The catheter of  claim 3 , wherein at least one crescent ribbon comprises any one or any combination of metals including a cold-worked metal, a stressed metal, or an annealed metal. 
     
     
         7 . The catheter of  claim 3 , wherein the crescent ribbons comprise any one or any combination of biocompatible metals. 
     
     
         8 . The catheter of  claim 3 , wherein the base material is any one or any combination of conventional biocompatible polymers and copolymers. 
     
     
         9 . The catheter of  claim 3 , wherein the base material is any one or any combination of polyurethanes, silicones, polyethers, thermoset polymeric material, polyesters, polyamides, fluoropolymers, polyolefins, PVC, polyimides, or PEEK. 
     
     
         10 . The catheter of  claim 3 , wherein the base material is a film and the film contacts the braid structure on an inside of the braid structure, on an outside of the braid structure, or on the inside and the outside of the braid structure.