Catheters with enhanced flexibility and associated devices, systems, and methods

Abstract

A neuromodulation catheter includes an elongate shaft and a neuromodulation element. The shaft includes two or more first cut shapes and two or more second cut shapes along a helical path extending around a longitudinal axis of the shaft. The first cut shapes are configured to at least partially resist deformation in response to longitudinal compression and tension on the shaft and torsion on the shaft in a first circumferential direction. The second cut shapes are configured to at least partially resist deformation in response to longitudinal compression on the shaft and torsion on the shaft in both first and second opposite circumferential directions.

1 - 39 . (canceled) 
     
     
         40 . A catheter comprising:
 an inner tube;   a first helically wound elongate member;   a second helically wound elongate member, the first helically wound elongate member being disposed within the second helically wound elongate member, the first helically wound elongate member comprising a first axial density of windings along a longitudinal axis of the catheter, the second helically wound elongate member comprising a second axial density of windings along the longitudinal axis of the catheter, the first axial density of windings being different from the second axial density of windings, and the second helically wound elongate member being counter-wound relative to the first helically wound elongate member; and   an outer jacket surrounding the inner tube and at least one of the first or second helically wound elongate members.   
     
     
         41 . The catheter of  claim 40 , wherein the first axial density of windings is greater than the second axial density of windings. 
     
     
         42 . The catheter of  claim 40 , wherein the second axial density of windings is greater than the first axial density of windings. 
     
     
         43 . The catheter of  claim 40 , wherein the first helically wound elongate member is multifilar. 
     
     
         44 . The catheter of  claim 43 , wherein the second helically wound elongate member is multifilar. 
     
     
         45 . The catheter of  claim 43 , wherein the second helically wound elongate member is monofilar. 
     
     
         46 . The catheter of  claim 40 , wherein the first helically wound elongate member is monofilar. 
     
     
         47 . The catheter of  claim 46 , wherein the second helically wound elongate member is multifilar. 
     
     
         48 . The catheter of  claim 46 , wherein the second helically wound elongate member is monofilar. 
     
     
         49 . The catheter of  claim 40 , wherein adjacent windings of the first helically wound elongate member are not spaced apart. 
     
     
         50 . The catheter of  claim 49 , wherein adjacent windings of the second helically wound elongate member are not spaced apart. 
     
     
         51 . The catheter of  claim 49 , wherein at least some adjacent windings of the second helically wound elongate member are spaced apart. 
     
     
         52 . The catheter of  claim 40 , wherein at least some adjacent windings of the first helically wound elongate member are spaced apart. 
     
     
         53 . The catheter of  claim 52 , wherein adjacent windings of the second helically wound elongate member are not spaced apart. 
     
     
         54 . The catheter of  claim 52 , wherein at least some adjacent windings of the second helically wound elongate member are spaced apart. 
     
     
         55 . The catheter of  claim 40 , wherein an average helix angle of the first helically wound elongate member is different than an average helix angle of the second helically wound elongate member. 
     
     
         56 . The catheter of  claim 40 , wherein an average helix angle of the first helically wound elongate member differs from an average helix angle of the second helically wound elongate member by an angle within a range from about 10 degrees to about 140 degrees. 
     
     
         57 . The catheter of  claim 40 , wherein the outer jacket at least partially encases the second helically wound elongate member. 
     
     
         58 . The catheter of  claim 40 , wherein the outer jacket at least partially encases the first helically wound elongate member and the second helically wound elongate member. 
     
     
         59 . The catheter of  claim 40 , wherein the axial density of windings of at least one of the first helically wound elongate member or the second helically wound member varies along a length of the catheter. 
     
     
         60 . The catheter of  claim 40 , further comprising a third helically wound elongate member radially outward of the first and second helically wound elongate members. 
     
     
         61 . The catheter of  claim 60 , wherein the third helically wound elongate member is monofilar.