CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of United States Utility Application No. 17/901,819, filed September 1, 2022 and titled “Intravascular Guidewire and Microcatheter System”, and to United States Provisional Application No. 63/271,114, filed October 22, 2021 and titled “Intravascular Guidewire and Microcatheter System,” and to United States Provisional Application No. 63/240,845, filed on September 3, 2021 and titled “Microcatheter Device with Non-Linear Bending Stiffness,” each of which is incorporated herein by this reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Interventional devices such as guidewires and catheters are frequently utilized in the medical field to perform delicate procedures deep within the human body. Typically, a catheter is inserted into a patient’s femoral, radial, carotid, or jugular vessel and navigated through the patient’s vasculature to the heart, brain, or other targeted anatomy over a guidewire. Once in place, the catheter can be used to deliver drugs, stents, embolic devices, radiopaque dyes, or other devices or substances for treating the patient in a desired manner.

[0003] In many applications, such an interventional device must be navigated through the tortuous bends and curves of a vasculature passageway to arrive at the targeted anatomy. Such an interventional device requires sufficient flexibility, particularly closer to its distal end, to navigate such tortuous pathways. However, other design aspects must also be considered. For example, the interventional device must also be able to provide sufficient torquability (i.e., the ability to transmit torque applied at the proximal end all the way to the distal end), pushability (i.e., the ability to transmit axial push to the distal end rather than bending and binding intermediate portions), and structural integrity for performing intended medical functions.

[0004] It is desirable for catheter devices to have good axial response, such that when a push force is applied to a proximal end of a catheter device positioned over a guidewire (e.g., within a patient’s vasculature), the intermediate and distal portions of the catheter device advance over the guidewire in accordance with the push force (e.g., further into the patient’s vasculature). Often, however, as the catheter device is advanced within the bends and curves of the vasculature, much of the axial movement incidentally pushes intermediate portions of the device into the walls of the curved portions of the vasculature rather than actually advancing the distal end of the catheter device forward. This lack of correspondence between the amount of axial push provided by the user at the proximal end and the resulting forward movement of the distal end makes navigation more difficult and less tactilely intuitive.

[0005] Accordingly, there exist several limitations in the field of guidewire and catheter systems, and there is an ongoing need, for example, for systems that enable effective routing of a catheter over a guidewire within the vasculature without requiring excessive push force to reach an intended anatomical target.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Various objects, features, characteristics, and advantages of the invention will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims, all of which form a part of this specification. In the Drawings, like reference numerals may be utilized to designate corresponding or similar parts in the various Figures, and the various elements depicted are not necessarily drawn to scale, wherein:

[0007] Figure 1 illustrates an overview of a catheter system, including a catheter and hub;

[0008] Figure 2 illustrates a detailed view showing various sections of the catheter of the catheter system;

[0009] Figures 3A through 3C illustrate examples of a one-beam section, two-beam section, and three-beam section, respectively, that may be included in a microfabricated shaft used in the catheter system described herein;

[0010] Figure 4 illustrates a detailed view of a distal section of the catheter;

[0011] Figures 5 A through 5D are photographs illustrating differences in axial response that can occur within a vessel (artificial vessel shown), with Figures 5 A and 5B showing the axial response of a conventional catheter and Figures 5C and 5D showing the improved axial response of a catheter according to the present disclosure;

[0012] Figure 6 schematically illustrates a section of the catheter during bending, showing how the catheter is configured to distribute bending, torsional, and axial forces in tortuous anatomy; [0013] Figures 7A and 7B illustrate that the microfabricated shaft is configured to compensate for step changes in stiffness in the outer polymer layer due to transition from one polymer to another.

[0014] Figures 8A and 8B compare a bending stiffness profile of a catheter device according to the present disclosure (labelled “Plato 17”) with bending stiffness profiles of various conventional catheter devices, with Figure 8A showing bending stiffness up to 60 cm from the distal tip and Figure 8B showing bending stiffness up to 15 cm from the distal tip;

[0015] Figure 9 compares outer diameters along distal lengths of a catheter device according to the present disclosure (labelled “Plato 17”) to various conventional catheter devices;

[0016] Figures 10 illustrates an example embodiment of a guidewire device providing effective torquability and having a shapeable tip;

[0017] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the guidewire device of Figure 10;

[0018] Figure 12 illustrates an example embodiment of a tube structure which may be utilized with the guidewire device of Figures 10 and 11, the tube having a bypass cut pattern (i.e., one- beam cut pattern) configured to provide effective flexibility and shapeability of the distal tip;

[0019] Figure 13 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a tube structure including a section having an alternative one-beam cut pattern;

[0020] Figure 14 illustrates an embodiment of a tube structure including a two-beam cut pattern with symmetrically spaced opposing beams;

[0021] Figure 15 illustrates an embodiment of a tube structure including a section having a one-sided one-beam cut pattern;

[0022] Figure 16 illustrates an embodiment of a tube structure including a bypass cut pattern with an example angular offset providing a helical pattern of resulting beams;

[0023] Figure 17 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a tube structure including three sections;

[0024] Figure 18 A illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a tube including a distal section of a core disposed therein;

[0025] Figure 18B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the tube of Figure 18 A;

[0026] Figure 19 illustrates an expanded side view of a transition between the first section and the second section of the tube of Figures 18A and 18B; and [0027] Figure 20 illustrates an expanded side view of the distal tip of the tube of Figures 18A and 18B, including the second and third sections thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Overview of Combination Systems

[0028] As noted above, many catheter devices experience a lack of correspondence between application of proximal push force and advancement of distal and intermediate portions (e.g., when the catheter device is positioned over a guidewire within curved portions of a patient’s vasculature). Conventional catheter devices often utilize multiple different materials to provide a gradient in bending stiffness from proximal end to distal end. However, whenever there is a transition between materials of differing stiffness, the bending, axial, and torsional stiffness profiles of the device include an abrupt step change. Such abrupt changes in bending stiffness are undesirable because they can concentrate mechanical stresses at particular locations, cause kink points, disrupt the smooth movement and bending of the device, and complicate navigation in tortuous vasculature. Such abrupt changes in bending stiffness can contribute to the lack of correspondence between proximal push force and distal advancement discussed above.

[0029] When faced with a situation in which applying excessive proximal push force (e.g., greater than about 30 to 50 grams) fails to sufficiently facilitate further advancement of a catheter device over a guidewire within a patient’s vasculature, medical practitioners typically withdraw the catheter (and sometimes also the guidewire) to reattempt routing of the guidewire and/or the catheter through the patient’s vasculature to reach the target. Such occurrences result in inefficiencies related to time and materials and may adversely affect patient outcomes.

[0030] Accordingly, at least one aspect of the present disclosure is to provide guidewire and catheter systems that can be used to facilitate desirable catheter axial response (e.g., pushability) for advancement through patient vasculature (or through environments that simulate patient vasculature). At least some of the example guidewire and catheter systems discussed herein exhibit a smooth bending stiffness profile along the length of the devices, thereby contributing to a reduction in concentration of mechanical stresses at particular locations. Such features may enable the catheter devices of the present disclosure to exhibit pushability, torquability, and/or bending flexibility characteristics that allow the catheter devices to advance over guidewires in a manner that reduces the loss of axial forces to the vasculature walls and contributes to effective routing (with minimal push force) to the intended target. [0031] A catheter device constructed in accordance with the present disclosure may advance over a guidewire within the tortuous paths of a patient’s vasculature in response to push forces of 50 g or below. For instance, for an example tortuous path model with a total path length of 21.5 cm, with inner diameter of 3.68 mm, with three full loops (each with a loop radius of 6.4 mm), guidewire and catheter systems constructed in accordance with the present disclosure were able to advance over a guidewire without exceeding 30 grams of push force, and in some instances without exceeding 20 grams of push force. In particular, a catheter/guidewire system with a 0.017 inch (inner diameter) catheter and 0.014 inch (outer diameter) guidewire was routed through the model with a push force not exceeding 18 g, and a catheter/guidewire system with a 0.027 inch (inner diameter) catheter and 0.024 inch (outer diameter) guidewire was routed through the model with a push force not exceeding 29 g.

[0032] Other device combinations, such as the STRYKER SYNCHRO 2 used in combination with the STRYKER EXCELSIOR SL-10 failed to achieve such performance. Indeed, the STRYKER SYNCHRO 2 and STRYKER EXCELSIOR SL-10 combination system was unable to proceed through the full model even though a push force of 50 g (which jumped to as high as 200 g) was applied.

[0033] The ratio of the model to the tested catheters was 557% (e.g., 3.68 mm inner diameter for the model and a 0.66 mm outer diameter for the catheter). Differently sized guidewire and catheter combinations utilizing the structural features disclosed herein are also expected to perform similarly in a model having similar size ratios. For example, similar effective results are expected so long as the ratio of the inner diameter of the model to the outer diameter of the catheter is about 250% to about 800%, or about 300% or 350% to about 750%, or about 400% to about 700%, or about 450% to about 650%, or about 500% to about 600%, or a ratio within a range with endpoints defined by any two of the foregoing values.

[0034] Thus, guidewire and catheter systems of the present disclosure enable medical practitioners to advance a catheter more effectively to an intended target, reducing situations where safe levels of push force fail to fully advance a catheter over a guidewire, thereby avoiding the inefficiencies associated with withdrawal and/or re-advancement of a catheter and/or guidewire device.

[0035] Tests similar to those demonstrated in Figures 5A through 5D have demonstrated that catheters constructed in accordance with the present disclosure (e.g., including one or more features described with reference to catheter 102) are able to advance over guidewires in vessels in response to application of a push force of about 50 g or below, or about 40 g or below, or about 35 g or below, or about 30 g or below, or about 25 g or below, or about 20 g or below (e.g., within a range of about 10 g to about 20 g, or a range of about 20 g to about 30 g, or a range of about 30 g to about 40 g, or a range of about 40 g to about 50 g, or a range with any of the foregoing values as endpoints).

[0036] Such functionality may be exhibited by catheter devices of the present disclosure in operating environments (e.g., real vessels or model vessels) of about 21.5 cm of path length (or more or less) with curves and/or loops (e.g., 1 curve and/or loop, 2 curves and/or loops, 3 curves and/or loops, or more than 3 curves and/or loops) of various radii (e.g., within a range of about 3 mm to about 10 mm, such as 6.4 mm).

[0037] The disclosed systems may be utilized in various vessel-to-catheter ratios. For instance, a vessel inner diameter may be within a range of about 2 mm to about 6 mm (e.g., about 3.68 mm), and a catheter outer diameter may be within a range of about 0.2 mm to about 1.5 mm (e.g., about 0.66 mm), resulting in a range of vessel-to-catheter ratios of about 133% to about 3,000% (e.g., about 371% or greater, such as 557% for a lumen inner diameter of 3.68 mm and a catheter outer diameter of 0.66 mm). Testing models may utilize other dimensions. One of skill in the art will recognize that various catheter/guidewire combinations can be effectively tested against each other using such testing models so long as the same model conditions are utilized for each catheter/guidewire combination. Such push force testing is readily within the capabilities of the skilled person.

Example Catheter Devices

[0038] Figure 1 is an overview of an example catheter device 100 that includes features, described in more detail below, that provide one or more of improved axial responsiveness, improved distribution of bending forces, and/or a smooth device bending stiffness profile.

[0039] The catheter device 100 includes a catheter 102 connected to a hub 104 at a proximal end and extending therefrom to a distal end 103. The catheter 102 may be coupled to the hub 104 using adhesive, a friction fit, through insertion molding, and/or other appropriate attachment means. A strain-relief member 106 is also disposed over the proximal section of the catheter 102 near the hub 104. The strain-relief member 106 has an outer diameter that substantially matches the adjacent section of the hub 104. The strain-relief member 106 extends for a distance from the hub 104 with a substantially constant outer diameter before tapering distally to the end where the catheter 102 emerges and extends farther distally. The strain-relief member 106 may include a groove pattern 108, disposed at the section of substantially constant outer diameter, that functions to provide additional flexibility to the strain-relief member 106 and/or to provide surface features for enhancing user grip and tactile engagement.

[0040] The working length of the catheter 102 (i.e., the distance between the distal end of the strain-relief (106) and the catheter (102) distal end (103) may vary according to particular application needs. As an example, the catheter 102 may have a working length of about 50 cm to about 200 cm, though shorter or longer lengths may be utilized where appropriate. The catheter size (typically referring to the inner diameter/lumen size) may also vary according to particular application needs. Examples include 0.010 inches, 0.013 inches, 0.017 inches, 0.021 inches, 0.027 inches, 0.030 inches, 0.035 inches, 0.038 inches, 0.045 inches, 0.065 inches, 0.085 inches, 0.100 inches, or a range including any two of the foregoing values as endpoints. The inside diameter of the catheter can taper from a smaller distal portion to a larger proximal portion. Smaller or larger sizes may be utilized in some applications as appropriate.

[0041] Furthermore, the outer diameter of the catheter 102 may vary according to particular application needs. Examples include 0.010 inches, 0.013 inches, 0.017 inches, 0.021 inches, 0.026 inches, 0.027 inches, 0.030 inches, 0.035 inches, 0.038 inches, 0.045 inches, 0.065 inches, 0.085 inches, 0.100 inches, 0.135 inches, 0.165 inches, 0.20 inches, or a range including any two of the foregoing values as endpoints.

[0042] Although the distal section of the catheter 102 is shown in this example as having a straight shape, other embodiments may include a shaped distal tip. For example, the distal section of the catheter 102 may have an angled shape, a curved shape (e.g., 45 degree angle, 90 degree angle, J shape, etc.), a compound curved shape, or other appropriate angled or bent shape as known in the art.

[0043] The catheter device 100 described herein may be utilized for a variety of interventional applications, most commonly in cardiovascular, peripheral vascular, and neurovascular interventional procedures. Examples include accessing distal anatomy, crossing vessel lesions or blood clots, ischemic treatments, delivering therapeutic agents (e.g., embolic coils or other embolic agents), injecting diagnostic agents (e.g., contrast media or saline), retrieval applications, aspiration applications, or other applications where microcatheter use is beneficial.

[0044] Internal features of the catheter 102 are described in greater detail below. The outer surface of the catheter 102 may be coated with an appropriate coating material, such as a hydrophilic coating, to make the surface more lubricious. The coating material may cover substantially all of the working length of the catheter 102, or a portion thereof. For example, the coating material may be applied to the distal-most 30% to 80% of the working length of the catheter 102.

[0045] Figure 2 illustrates a detailed view of the catheter 102, better showing some of the internal components and different longitudinal sections of the catheter 102. As shown, the catheter 102 includes an inner liner 110 that defines the inner lumen of the device. The liner 110 may be formed from polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and/or other appropriate polymer. A coil 114 is positioned on the wire near the distal end 103. The coil 114 is attached to or positioned next to a microfabricated shaft 112 (also referred to herein as “inner shaft”) that extends proximally therefrom. An outer member 115, formed from one or more polymer materials, is typically heat shrink laminated over and through the coil 114 and shaft 112, encasing both while also attaching to the liner.

[0046] In one embodiment, the coil 114 is formed from stainless steel and the shaft 112 is formed from nitinol. These materials, when used in combination with other features described herein, have been found to provide effective axial response, effective distribution of bending forces, and a smooth bending stiffness profile. Other embodiments may utilize one or more different materials for the coil 114, the shaft 112, or both. In some embodiments, for example, the shaft 112 may include other superelastic alloys and/or one or more polymers such as a polyether ether ketone (PEEK) or other polyaryl ether ketone (PAEK). In some embodiments, the coil 114 may include a superelastic alloy such as nitinol, one or more other metals, alloys, or polymers.

[0047] The catheter 102 is configured so that the overall bending stiffness profile transitions from higher stiffness (and less bending flexibility) at the proximal sections to lower stiffness (and greater bending flexibility) at the distal sections. In most applications, it is desirable to give the proximal sections of the device relatively high axial, torsional, and bending stiffness so they can provide good combination of flexibility, pushability, and torquability. Distal sections, however, are often navigated through tortuous vasculature and are thus preferably relatively more flexible in bending. This stiffness profile gradient can be created by adjusting certain features of the microfabricated shaft 112 and/or by utilizing different polymer materials to coat and embed the shaft 112 in the outer member 115. As explained in more detail below, in some embodiments, the microcatheter 112 and the outer member 115 are configured to work together to provide an overall stiffness profile that minimizes abrupt changes in stiffness and provides smooth stiffness transitions. [0048] The illustrated embodiment includes a distal section 120, an intermediate section 122, and a proximal section 124. In the distal section 120, the outer member 115 is formed from a first polymer material 116a. In the intermediate section 122, the outer member 115 is formed from a second polymer material 116b. In the proximal section 124, the outer member 115 is formed from a third polymer material 116c. The polymer materials 116a, 116b, and 116c have different hardness and thus affect the stiffness of their respective sections differently. The second polymer material 116b has a higher hardness than the first polymer material 116a, and the third polymer material 116c has a higher hardness than the second polymer material 116b.

[0049] As one example of a set of polymer materials found to be effective when utilized together, the first polymer material 116a may have a Shore D hardness of about 20 to about 30, the second polymer material 116b may have a Shore D hardness of about 30 to about 50, and the third polymer material 116c may have a Shore D hardness of about 50 to about 80. Other embodiments may vary these values as desired such as softer in the distal portion, but the foregoing values have been found to be particularly effective. The polymer materials 116a, 116b, and 116c may be formed from independently from appropriate polymers such as poly ether block amide (PEBA) polymers and can range in polymer durometers from Shore A hardness of about 10 to Shore D hardness of about 100.

[0050] The shaft 112 also includes features that provide variable bending stiffness. As shown, the shaft 112 is a tube structure that includes a series of microfabricated cuts. The cuts form axially extending “beams” that connect successive circumferentially extending “rings”. These cut patterns can be varied to adjust the bending stiffness of the shaft 112. For example, the bending stiffness can be attuned by adjusting the number of beams that reside between each pair of adjacent rings. A “two-beam section”, such as shown in the distal section 120, includes two beams between each pair of adjacent rings. A “three-beam section”, such as shown in the intermediate section 122 and proximal section 124, includes three beams between each pair of adjacent rings. All else being equal (shaft material, cut depth, cut width, cut spacing), a three-beam section has greater bending stiffness than a two-beam section. A “one-beam section” with a single beam connecting adjacent rings may also be utilized, and will have even less bending stiffness than a two-beam section, all else being equal. A “four-beam section” and/or section having greater than four beams may also be utilized, and will accordingly provide greater bending stiffness as the number of beams between each pair of adjacent rings is increased.

[0051] Figures 3A through 3C illustrate examples of a one-beam section, two-beam section, and three-beam section, respectively, showing example arrangements of beams 130 and rings 132 in such sections. The beams can be configured in a variety of arrangements depending on the angular offset (or lack thereof) between successive sets of beams and/or how frequently the angular offset is applied (e.g., after each ring or after two or more rings). The one-beam section of Figure 3A, for example, includes a 180 degree angular offset from one beam to the next, the two-beam section of Figure 3B includes a 90 degree offset from one beam pair to the next, and the three-beam section of Figure 3C includes a 120 degree angular offset from one set of beams to the next. While these types of offsets are beneficial, they are also associated with preferred bending planes, and other arrangements may be provided to minimize or eliminate preferred bending planes. Examples include a helical arrangement, a distributed arrangement, an imperfect ramp arrangement, and a sawtooth arrangement. Additional details regarding beam arrangements that may be utilized in the presently disclosed shaft 102 are provided in United States Patent No. 11,369,351 and in United States Patent Application No. 2022/0105312, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0052] In addition to adjusting the number of beams disposed between rings, the bending flexibility of the shaft 112 may be controlled by adjusting the depth of cuts, the width of cuts, and/or the spacing of cuts. Typically, the width of cuts is set at a given value (e.g., corresponding to a cutting blade size), and it is easier to adjust cut depth and/or cut spacing during manufacture in order to provide the desired control over the bending stiffness profile. All else being equal, as ring width is reduced (i.e., cut spacing is reduced), cut width is increased, and/or beam width is reduced (i.e., cut depth is increased), the resulting bending stiffness is reduced. In the illustrated embodiment, the spacing between cuts in the three-beam section (which is coincident with the intermediate section 122 and proximal section 124) is progressively reduced as it gets closer to the distal section 120. Similarly, the two-beam section (which is coincident with the distal section 120) begins with larger spaces between cuts and progresses to less space between cuts as it gets closer to the coil 114 and the distal end 103. Preferably, transitions between different geometries (e.g., three-beam to two-beam) are configured so that bending stiffness is the same or similar across the transition of these sections. The shaft 112 thus provides a stiffness gradient by way of transitioning from a three-beam section to a two-beam section, and also within the respective sections by way of transitioning from cuts that are more spaced apart to cuts that are relatively less spaced apart.

[0053] At the distal end of the two-beam section, the cut pattern is configured with relatively high flexibility in order to provide a smooth transition to the high flexibility of the coil 114. In some embodiments, the coil 114 is omitted and replaced by more of the two-beam section (or alternatively, a one-beam section) that extends to a position at or near the distal end 103.

[0054] The lengths of the sections 120, 122, and 124 may be varied according to particular application needs or preferences. In one embodiment, the distal section 120 may have a length of about 5 cm to about 40 cm, and the intermediate section 122 may have a length of about 10 cm to about 50 cm, with the proximal section 124 taking up the remainder of the working length of the catheter 102. The illustrated embodiment shows that the shaft 112 transitions from a three-beam configuration to a two-beam configuration at the transition of the intermediate section 122 to the distal section 120. However, the transitions of the shaft 112 need not necessarily correspond to the transitions of polymer material that define the separate sections 120, 122, and 124. As explained in more detail below, the shaft 112 and outer member 115 are configured together to compensate for and minimize abrupt stiffness changes, and in some instances, this may involve shaft transition zones that do not overlap completely with polymer transitions of the outer member 115.

[0055] Figure 4 illustrates a detailed view of the distal section 120 of the catheter 102, better showing certain distal features such as the liner 110, distal radiopaque marker band 140, coil 114, shaft 112, and proximal radiopaque marker band 142. The marker bands 140 and 142 are formed from a material more radiopaque than stainless steel. Examples include platinum, iridium, tungsten, other highly radiopaque metals, and alloys thereof. The distal marker band 140 provides an indication of the location of the distal end 103 of the catheter 102, whereas the proximal marker band 142 is offset by a predetermined length (e.g., 2 to 5 centimeters, or about 3 centimeters) to assist in proper positioning of detachable embolic coils or other components deployed through the catheter 102.

[0056] The shaft 112 may include a circumferential groove at the position where the proximal marker band 142 is placed. This groove can receive the marker band 142 such that the outer surface of the marker band 142 does not extend excessively beyond the outer diameter of the shaft 112. Once covered by the outer member 115, the outer diameter of the device over the proximal marker band 142 remains substantially flush.

[0057] In the illustrated embodiment, the coil 114 is variably pitched. Each end of the coil 114 includes a region of narrowed pitch that provides more improved transitions in bending stiffness from one geometry to another such as where the coil transitions to a microfabricated tube. As an example, the coil 114 may have a length of about 1 cm to about 3 cm. As shown, a portion of the liner 110 may extend a distance distally from the coil 114 and distal marker coil 140. This distance may vary from about 0.2 mm to about 2 mm, for example.

Catheter Bending Force Distribution

[0058] The catheter devices described herein include features that effectively distribute bending forces and thereby provide improved axial response in use. Figures 5 A and 5B illustrate a common limitation in navigating a conventional catheter (a STRYKER EXCELSIOR SL-10 shown in this example) through an artificial vasculature construct. As the catheter approaches a bend in a vessel, a certain length of the catheter extends around the bend (initial position in Figure 5 A). Upon further pushing, the initial axial movement is taken up in pushing the catheter against the walls of the vessel to fill the curves (after push position in Figure 5B; see contact points indicated by arrows) before any continued pushing results in actually advancing the distal tip of the catheter through the vasculature. This reduced correspondence between the amount of axial push provided by the user at the proximal end and the resulting forward movement of the distal end makes navigation more difficult and less tactilely intuitive. Furthermore, as noted above, practitioners are, in many instances, unable to apply additional push force to overcome the resistance presented by the vessel walls, as doing so would run the risk of patient injury.

[0059] In contrast to the response of conventional catheters as in Figures 5 A and 5B, Figures 5C and 5D show navigation of the bend of the vessel using the catheter 102 as described herein. As shown, from the “initial” position (Figure 5C) to the after-push position (Figure 5D), less of the axial movement is taken up in filling the curve of the vessel, and more of the axial movement is thus transferred to actual movement of the distal end of the catheter 102. This function stems from the improved ability to distribute bending forces along the length of the catheter 102. By better distributing the bending forces, the catheter 102 better resists bending at any one particular location and can thereby better transfer proximal axial movement to the distal end of the device.

[0060] Figure 6 further illustrates the ability of the catheter 102 to effectively distribute bending forces. Figure 6 illustrates a portion of the shaft 112 during bending. The polymer material 116 fills the gaps between beams and rings of the shaft 112. For ease of viewing, the polymer material 116 is shown in discrete sections within each of the gaps of the shaft 112. In most cases, the polymer material 116 will fill the gaps, fuse with the liner 110, and also extend over the outer surface of the shaft 112 to fully encapsulate and embed the shaft 112.

[0061] During bending of the shaft 112, the shaft structure locally resists more bending stresses and distributes this stress to adjacent portions of the structure more effectively as compared to a coil or braid which are less likely to distribute bending stresses and more likely to kink. Additionally, the polymer material 116 effectively functions as a series of dampers each positioned between adjacent rings of the shaft 112. On the inner side of the bend, the polymer material 116 is compressed, and therefore provides a counteracting force that pushes outward against the rings and resists further bending. Similarly, on the outer side of the bend, the polymer material 116 is placed in tension, and therefore provides a counteracting force that pulls the rings inward and resists further bending. The bending stiffness of the catheter 102 is non-linear because it becomes increasingly resistant to bending, in a non-linear manner, as the bend angle is increased.

[0062] During bending, a conventional catheter will begin to bend at the apex and the cross- sectional shape of the catheter may tend to “ovalize”. Once ovalization begins, resistance to bending decreases and it therefore becomes increasingly easier to bend with continued application of bending forces. In contrast, in the disclosed catheter 102, the bending resistance provided by the action of the microfabricated structure and polymer material 116 against the shaft 112 tends to distribute bending forces along the axial length of the catheter 102 and avoid ovalization and concentration of bending forces at a particular kink point. For example, the bending resistance will tend to spread a bend out to a larger radius of curvature rather than concentrating the bend at specific point thereby creating a kink location. The bending resistance provided by the catheter structure can therefore provide enhanced axial responsiveness (as illustrated by Figures 5C and 5D) and also enhanced protection against mechanical fatigue caused by bending stresses.

Smoothing of Catheter Bending Stiffness Profiles

[0063] Figures 7A and 7B illustrate that the microfabricated shaft may be configured to compensate for step changes in stiffness in the outer member due to transition from one polymer to another. Figure 7A illustrates a portion of the catheter 102 where the first polymer material 116a meets the second polymer material 116b. As shown in Figure 7B, this is associated with an abrupt step change in the bending stiffness of the polymer layer of the outer member. Such abrupt changes in bending stiffness are undesirable because they can concentrate mechanical stresses, cause kink points, disrupt the smooth movement and bending of the device, and complicate navigation in tortuous vasculature.

[0064] To compensate for this step change, the shaft is configured such that the bending stiffness changes complement and compensate for the abrupt change in bending stiffness of the polymer outer member. As a result, the overall bending stiffness of the catheter remains relatively smooth across the transition from the first polymer 116a to the second polymer 116b. Similar configurations can be utilized at other polymer transition zones to minimize and smooth out abrupt step changes in bending stiffness. The shaft 112 can be configured to compensate for the step change in a variety of ways. In the example of Figure 7A, because the bending stiffness of the second polymer 116b is higher than the first polymer 116a, the configuration of the cuts/gaps of the shaft 112 remain constant or are narrowed for a short distance across the transition before spreading out again to generally increase shaft bending stiffness while moving further proximally. Other means of adjusting the bending stiffness of the shaft 112 as described herein (e.g., adjusting the number of beams and/or cut depth) may additionally or alternatively be used to achieve the result of smoothing the overall bending stiffness profile.

[0065] Configuring the shaft 112 to compensate for abrupt bending stiffness changes of the polymer outer member 115 beneficially avoids the complications of other conventional approaches to smoothing out such transitions. Prior approaches rely on complicated splicing arrangements or polymer co-extrusion and mixing techniques. These add layers of extra complication to the manufacturing process and may still only marginally resolve the abruptness of the transition. Other approaches utilize different diameters of polymer tubing and diameter gradients to compensate for transitions between polymer types. However, these approaches result in an uneven outer diameter or add the requirement to somehow manage this by overlaying even more material.

[0066] The smoothing features described herein enable the manufacture of microcatheters having improved bending stiffness profiles as compared to conventional microcatheters. Figures 8A and 8B illustrate the results of testing comparing the bending stiffness profile of a catheter made according to the present disclosure (labelled “Plato 17”) to the bending stiffness profiles of several conventional microcatheters. In the Figures, “SL10” refers to an Excelsior SL-10 (sold by Stryker Neurovascular), “XT17” refers to an Excelsior XT-17 (sold by Stryker Neurovascular), “Echl4” refers to an Echelon 14 (sold by Medtronic), “EchlO” refers to an Echelon 10 (sold by Medtronic), and “HW17” refers to a Headway 17 (sold by MicroVention Terumo). Figure 8A illustrates bending stiffness profiles over the distal 50 to 60 cm of the devices, Figure 8B provides a closer view of the bending stiffness profiles over the distal 15 cm of the devices. In the Figures, the Plato 17 data represents an average of 5 replicates, the SL10 data represents an average of 3 replicates, the XT17 represents an average of 2 replicates, the Echl4 represents an average of 2 replicates, the EchlO represents an average of 3 replicates, and the HW17 represents an average of 2 replicates. As shown, the catheter corresponding to the present disclosure provides a smoother profile with less abrupt changes in bending stiffness.

[0067] Table 1 presents the data of Figures 8A and 8B by listing different distal section sizes and providing the highest measured “slope” within that section. The “slope” represents the change in bending stiffness (N- m ² ) over the distance between measured data points (cm). As evident from the data points in Figures 8A and 8B, note that measurements were taken at increments of 0.5 cm to 2.5 cm, usually every 1 cm with smaller increments at regions where a clear polymer transition was evident and larger increments once reaching about 15 to 20 cm from the distal end. The slope therefore provides an indication of the abruptness of bending stiffness changes across the given section of the catheter.

Table 1: Stiffness Changes of Various Microcatheters Across Different Distal Section Sizes.

[0068] As shown, the Plato 17 has the lowest measured slope across the distal 15 cm section, across the distal 35 cm section, and across the distal 50 cm section. Based on the data of Figures 8A and 8B, as further disclosed in Table 1, in some embodiments a catheter device as described herein has a bending stiffness slope ((N m ² )/cm)) of no more than about 6.0 x 10' ⁷ for a distal 15 cm section, no more than about 9.0 x 10' ⁷ for a distal 35 cm section, and/or no more than about 9.0 x IO’ ⁷ for a distal 50 cm section. While the Plato 17 device configured according to the present disclosure achieved each of the foregoing features, none of the other prior catheter devices tested were able to do so.

[0069] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the distal 35 cm of the catheter device has a bending stiffness of 5 x 10' ⁶ N m ² or greater. In some embodiments, in addition to the foregoing stiffness minimum, a catheter device as described herein has a bending stiffness slope ((N m ² )/cm)) of no more than about 4.0 x 10' ⁶ for a distal 35 cm section and/or no more than about 4.5 x 10' ⁶ for a distal 50 cm section. As shown in Figures 8A and 8B and Table 1, while the Plato 17 device meets these requirements, the Headway- 17 catheter does not meet the minimum bending stiffness requirement, and none of the other tested catheters meet the slope requirements.

[0070] Figure 9 compares outer diameters along distal lengths of the Plato 17 device according to the present disclosure to various conventional catheter devices. The larger data points represent points where a polymer transition is visibly apparent. The data from Figure 9 is also represented in Table 2, which shows the maximum diameter change within the distal 15 cm section and the distal 35 cm section of each of the catheter devices. As shown, the Plato 17 diameter changes by no more than 0.0017 inches across the distal 15 cm section and across the distal 35 cm section. Table 2: Diameter Changes of Various Microcatheters Across Different Distal Section Sizes. [0071] In some embodiments, a catheter device as described herein has (1) a bending stiffness of 5 x 10' ⁶ N m ² or greater in at least a portion of the distal 35 cm of the catheter device, (2) a change in outer diameter of no more than 0.002 inches across the distal 15 cm and/or distal 35 cm section, and (3) a bending stiffness slope ((N- m ² )/cm)) of no more than about 1.3 x 1 O' ⁶ for a distal

15 cm section, no more than about 4.2 x 10' ⁶ for a distal 35 cm section, and/or no more than about 1.1 x 10' ⁵ for a distal 50 cm section. While the Plato 17 device configured according to the present disclosure achieved each of the foregoing features, none of the other prior catheter devices tested were able to do so. That is, the Headway- 17 catheter does not meet the minimum bending stiffness requirement, the Echelon- 10 does meet the diameter change requirement, and none of the other tested catheters meet the slope requirements.

[0072] In some embodiments, the beneficial bending stiffness profile features described above are specifically applicable to a transition section where a first polymer of the outer member transitions to a second polymer of the outer member.

[0073] In some embodiments, the shaft 112 maintains substantially the same wall thickness along its length. Other catheter devices based on coils and/or braids will most often have adjusted wall thicknesses at transition points. Changes in wall thickness can introduce additional kink or stress points and/or require additional manufacturing steps to manage.

[0074] In some embodiments, there may be an acceptable bending stiffness change associated with the distal tip region because the shaft 112 transitions to the coil 114 and/or the coil 114 transitions to the distal-most section of liner 110. These stiffness changes may be acceptable because they are so near the distal end 103. Thus, in some embodiments, the distal-most 3 to 5 cm may be excepted from the foregoing bending stiffness change limits.

Catheter Fatigue Resistance

[0075] The catheter devices described herein also beneficially provide effective fatigue resistance. For example, in a bend and twist fatigue test method based on ASTM E2948, catheter devices as described herein are capable of achieving greater than 20 cycles before breaking. The bend and twist fatigue test method is described in more detail in document TM-00127, which is attached hereto as Appendix 1. In short, the test is adapted from ASTM E2948, which is a standard test method for measuring rotating bending fatigue of solid round fine wire.

[0076] The effective fatigue resistance of the disclosed catheter devices may be present along the entire length of the shaft portion of the device, or along one or more sub-sections of the device (e.g., along one or more sections having length of about 3 to 35 cm, or about 3 to 20 cm, or about 3 to 10 cm). The effective fatigue resistance is provided by one or more of the following parameters: (1) maintaining ring widths at less than or equal to about 30% of the corresponding outer diameter of the shaft 112; and/or (2) maintaining cut depths at greater than or equal to about 11% of the outer diameter of the shaft 112. Example Guidewires

[0077] As noted hereinabove, the catheter devices of the present disclosure may operate in combination with various guidewire devices to achieve the benefits described herein (e.g., advancement of the catheter device over a guidewire device within a tortuous path by application of push force of 50 g or lower on the proximal portion of the catheter device).

[0078] Figures 10 through 20 illustrate components and aspects of example guidewires that may be utilized in combination with the catheter devices described hereinabove. Although Figures 10 through 20 focus, in at least some respects, on guidewire devices including manually shapeable tips and/or particular cut patterns, one will appreciate, in view of the present disclosure, that a guidewire device for use in combination with the catheter devices of the present disclosure may include additional or alternative features and/or components.

[0079] Examples of guidewire features and components that may be utilized by guidewires of the disclosed guidewire and catheter systems are described in in United States Patent No. 11,369,351 (disclosing distributed, imperfect ramp, and sawtooth cutting patterns for guidewire tubes), United States Patent Application No. 2021/0228845 (describing guidewire devices in which the outer diameter of the tube is greater than the outer diameter of the proximal section of the core and including various coil configurations to provide centering of the distal section of the core within the tube), and United States Patent Application No. 2021/0346656 (describing guidewire devices with high ratios of torsional stiffness to lateral bending stiffness), each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0080] Figure 10 illustrates an example guidewire device 200 having a core 202. A tube 204 is coupled to the core 202 and extends distally from a point of attachment 203 to the core 202. As shown, a distal section of the core 202 extends into the tube 204 and is surrounded by the tube 204. In some embodiments, the core 202 includes one or more tapering sections so that the core 202 is able to fit within and extend into the tube 204. For example, the distal section of the core 202 may be ground so as to progressively taper to a smaller diameter at the distal end. In this example, the core 202 and the tube 204 have substantially similar outer diameters at the attachment point 203 where they adjoin and attach to one another. In some embodiments, the core 202 and the tube 204 have different outer diameters at the attachment point 203 where they adjoin and attach to one another, with the difference in diameter being compensated for by a weld, solder, adhesive, interference fit, or other means of structural attachment. [0081] The tube 204 is coupled to the core 202 (e.g., using adhesive, soldering, and/or welding) in a manner that allows torsional forces to be transmitted from the core 202 to the tube 204 and thereby to be further transmitted distally by the tube 204. A medical grade adhesive 220 may be used to couple the tube 204 to the core wire 202 at the distal end of the device and to form an atraumatic covering. As explained in more detail below, the tube 204 is micro-fabricated to include a plurality of cuts. The cuts are arranged to form a cut pattern which beneficially provides for effective shapeability near the distal tip of the guidewire device 200 while also maintaining good torquability. For clarity, the cut pattern is not shown in Figures 10 and 11. Examples of cut patterns which may be utilized in the tube 204 are shown in Figures 12 through 14.

[0082] The proximal section 210 of the guidewire device 200 extends proximally to a length necessary to provide sufficient guidewire length for delivery to a targeted anatomical area. The proximal section 210 typically has a length ranging from about 50 to 350 cm. The proximal section 210 may have a diameter of about 0.014 inches, or a diameter within a range of about 0.008 to 0. 125 inches. The distal section 212 of the core 202 may taper to a diameter of about 0.002 inches, or a diameter within a range of about 0.001 to 0.050 inches. In some embodiments, the tube 204 has a length within a range of about 3 to 100 cm.

[0083] In some embodiments, the distal section 212 of the core 202 tapers to a round crosssection. In other embodiments, the distal section 212 of the core 202 has a flat or rectangular crosssection. The distal section 212 may also have another cross-sectional shape, such as another polygon shape, an ovoid shape, an erratic shape, or combination of different cross-sectional shapes at different areas along its length.

[0084] Typically, a user will shape the distal end of the guidewire device 200 by manually bending, twisting, or otherwise manipulating the distal 1 cm to 3 cm (approximately) of the guidewire device 200 to a desired shape. This length is shown schematically as the distal “tip” 206 in Figure 10. In some embodiments, the tip 206 includes one or more shapeable components (within the tube 204) formed from stainless steel, platinum, and/or other shapeable materials. In preferred embodiments, the tip 206 includes one or more components formed from a material that exhibits work hardening properties, such that the tip, when shaped (i.e., plastically deformed), provides a higher elastic modulus at the shaped sections than prior to being shaped.

[0085] Figure 11 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the guidewire device 200 of Figure 10. As shown, the core 202 includes a proximal section 210 and a distal section 212, with the distal section having a smaller diameter than the proximal section 210. A coil 214 is positioned upon at least a portion of the distal section 212 of the core 202. The coil 214 is preferably formed from one or more radiopaque materials, such as platinum group, gold, silver, palladium, iridium, osmium, tantalum, tungsten, bismuth, dysprosium, gadolinium, and the like. Additionally, or alternatively, the coil 214 may be at least partially formed from a stainless steel or other material capable of effectively holding shaped after being bent or otherwise manipulated by a user. In the illustrated embodiment, the coil 214 is disposed at or near the distal end of the device and extends a distance proximally toward the attachment point 203. In some embodiments, the coil 214 has a length that substantially coincides with the length of the tube 204. In other embodiments, the coil 214 is shorter. For example, the coil 214 may extend from the distal end by 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 20, 25, 30, or 35 cm, or may extend from the proximal end a distance within a range defined by any two of the foregoing values.

[0086] In some embodiments, the coil 214 is formed as one integral piece. In other embodiments, the coil 214 includes a plurality of separate sections positioned adjacent to one another and/or interlocked through intertwining coils. Such separate segments may additionally or alternatively be soldered, adhered, or otherwise fastened to one another to form the complete coil 214. Some embodiments may include two or more coils, where at least one of the coils is configured to provide radiopacity and at least one of the coils is configured in size and shape to improve centering of the distal section 212 of the core 202 inside the tube 204.

[0087] Although the illustrated embodiment shows a space between the coil 214 and the tube 204, it will be understood that this is done schematically for ease of visualization. In some embodiments, the coil 214 is sized to fill and pack a greater proportion of the space between the distal section 212 and the tube 204. For example, the coil 214 may be sized so as to abut both the distal section 212 of the core 202 and the inner surface of the tube 204. Other embodiments include a space between the core 202 and the tube 204 for at least a portion of the section of the guidewire device 200 where the tube 204 and the core 202 are co-extensive.

[0088] The coil 214 may beneficially function to pack the space between the core 202 and the tube 204 so as to align the curvature of the distal section 212 of the core 202 with the curvature of the tube 204. For example, when a curvature is formed in the tube 204, the closely packed segments of the coil 214 functions as a packing between the tube 204 and the distal section 212 to impart the same curvature to the distal section 212. In contrast, a guidewire device omitting a coil, when curved at the tube, would not follow the same curve as the tube but would extend until abutting against the inner surface of the tube before being forced to curve. [0089] Embodiments described herein beneficially allow the distal tip 206 to be shaped to a desired position and to remain in the shaped position for a sufficiently extended period of time. In contrast to a conventional guidewire device, the illustrated embodiments are able to form and maintain a shaped configuration. With conventional guidewire devices, problems related to shapeability often occur as a result of a mismatch in properties between the tube structure and the internal components (the core and coil). Tube structures are typically formed from nitinol or other superelastic materials. Such tubes will be, upon being bent or shaped, biased toward their original (straight) position, and will thereby impart recovery forces against any shapeable internal components, resulting in deformation and a loss of the customized shape of the tip.

[0090] Often, for example, a conventional guidewire will have a shaped tip prior to deployment, but the shaped tip will be lost or degraded during use of the guidewire as the superelastic tube flexes toward its original shape in opposition to the desired tip shape. The recovery forces imparted by the tube thus act against the internal components to reduce or degrade the desired shape set by the user. In contrast, the embodiments described herein includes features that enable the tip 206 to be shaped without being subjected to overriding recovery forces from the tube. As described below, the tube 204 may include a cut pattern which maintains effective torquability while also providing sufficient flexibility at the distal tip 206 so as to avoid disrupting the custom shape of the tip 206.

[0091] Figures 12 through 16 illustrate example embodiments of tube cut patterns that may be utilized in one or more of the guidewire device embodiments described herein. For example, the tube 204 of the embodiment shown in Figures 10 and 11 may be cut according to one or more of the configurations shown in Figures 12 through 16.

[0092] Figure 12 illustrates a tube 504 having a series of cuts 508 which form beams 530 (extending axially) and rings 540 (extending transversely and circumferentially). In the illustrated embodiments, the cuts 508 are arranged on the tube as a series of “bypass cuts.” As used herein, a bypass cut is a cut that does not have an opposing cut directly opposite of it with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tube, thereby leaving a single beam 530 of longitudinally extending material between rings 540 of transversely and circumferentially extending material. A “bypass” cut pattern may also be referred to herein as a “one-beam” cut pattern. The transverse cross- sectional geometries of the beams can be a variety of shapes including semi-circular such as those made from a cutting saw with a circular blade, flat sided such as those made from a laser machining operation, or any type of cross sectional shape. In the illustrated embodiment, the cuts are arranged as alternating cuts that are offset by about 180 degrees from one cut to the next along the length of the tube 504, but rotational offsets can also be made at angles that are different than 180 degrees to 0 degrees as described below.

[0093] Tubes formed using one or more sections of bypass (i. e. , one-beam) cuts as shown can provide a number of benefits, particularly with respect to an associated shapeable tip of a guidewire device. For example, the flexibility of a tube having bypass cuts is relatively greater than the flexibility of a tube having no cuts or having cuts which leave multiple beams between successive rings (e.g., assuming beam width, ring size, and cut spacing is otherwise equal). Beneficially, the increased flexibility provided by the bypass cut arrangement minimizes or prevents the tube from deforming the shape of the internal structures of the guidewire. For example, a core (e.g. stainless steel) disposed within a tube may be bent or curved (i. e. , plastically deformed) so as to provide the tip of the guidewire with a desired shape.

[0094] As explained above, in many instances, forces associated with elastic recovery of the tube will be imparted against the shaped core and will tend to straighten out the shaped core, at least with respect to the portions of the shaped core that are disposed within the tube. Appropriately tuning the flexibility of the tube therefore reduces the recovery force imparted against the shaped core and allows the shaped core to better maintain its shape.

[0095] In some embodiments, the depth of successive bypass cuts or sets of bypass cuts is progressively increased for each successive cut or sets of cuts moving toward the distal end. A cut depth profile can therefore be utilized to configure a tube with the desired flexibility and torquability characteristics for a given application. For example, one tube configuration can include a proximal section with relatively lower flexibility and relatively higher torquability that rapidly progresses to a distal section with relatively higher flexibility and relatively lower torquability as bypass cuts rapidly get progressively deeper toward the distal end. In some embodiments, the section having relatively deeper cuts is formed only at the distal-most section of the tube where shapeability is expected or desired (e.g., the distal 1 to 3 cm of the tube), so as to preserve higher torquability for the remainder of the tube.

[0096] Bypass cuts 508 may be varied according to depth, width, and/or spacing. For example, cuts 508 may get progressively deeper and/or more closely spaced the closer they get to the distal tip of the device. Cuts that are deeper and/or more closely spaced provide relatively greater flexibility. Thus, a gradient may be formed which provides for increasing guidewire flexibility at progressively more distal regions of the guidewire. As described in more detail below, bypass cuts 508 may also be arranged with alternating angular positions according to an angular offset applied at each adjacent cut or applied at adjacent sets of cuts. The illustrated embodiment shows an angular offset of 180 degrees from one cut to the next. Some embodiments may include an angular offset of about 5, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 80, or 85 degrees from one cut to the next or from one set of cuts to the next set of cuts.

[0097] Figure 13 illustrates another embodiment of a tube 604 having bypass cuts and a set of opposing, depth-offset two-beam cuts disposed proximal to the bypass cuts. In the illustrated embodiment, a set of bypass cuts results in the beams 630. Proximal to the beams 630 is a set of cuts arranged as opposing cuts which result in beams 634. Although not visible in this view, an additional beam is formed opposite each beam 634 (hidden behind beams 634 in this view). Each ring 640 within the depth-offset two-beam cut pattern therefore has a set of two beams connecting it to its proximally adjacent ring, and a set of two beams connecting it to its distally adjacent ring.

[0098] As shown, the opposing two-beam cuts are offset in depth so that, for each opposing cut pair (one cut on each side of the tube axis), one of the cuts has a depth that is greater than the opposite cut. Such depth-offset two-beam cuts may be advantageously used to transition from a length of bypass cuts (such as shown in Figure 12) to a length of non-offset opposing two-beam cuts (such as shown in Figure 14).

[0099] Figure 14 illustrates a section of tube 250 having a two-beam cut pattern, with each cut of each opposing cut pair having approximately the same cut depth so that the resulting beams are substantially equally circumferentially spaced. As shown, the cuts result in a pair of beams 234 formed between each of the rings 240. The cuts are shown here as being angularly offset by about 90 degrees from one pair of opposing cuts to the next, though other angular offsets may be utilized.

[0100] A section of tube having a two-beam cut pattern with substantially circumferentially equally spaced beams will typically have relatively higher ability to transmit torque and relatively lower flexibility, while a section of tube having bypass cuts will typically have relatively lower ability to transmit torque and relatively higher flexibility. A section of tube having a depth-offset two-beam cut configuration will typically have a torque transmissibility and flexibility between that of a section of depth-symmetric opposing two-beam cuts and a section of bypass cuts. The greater the difference between the depths of opposing cuts, the closer together circumferentially the resulting beams will be, and therefore the more similar the offset two-beam cut will be to a one-beam/bypass cut. Likewise, the more similar the depths of the opposing cuts are, the more similar the offset two-beam cut will be to a symmetric two-beam cut. [0101] Embodiments of tubes including an offset two-beam section advantageously provide a transition zone that may be positioned and configured to provide desired transition properties between a distal bypass cut zone and a proximal symmetric two-beam section. For example, the transition zone may be relatively gradual or abrupt, depending on the length of the transition zone and/or depending on the rapidity of change to the offset in successive cuts. Tubes may therefore be configured to provide a proximal section with greater torquability and less flexibility, which transition to a more flexible distal section with greater flexibility to better maintain a bent shape when shaped by an operator. The positions and configurations of the proximal section, transition section, and distal section are tunable to optimize the benefits of effective torquability and shapeable tip performance.

[0102] Figure 15 illustrates another embodiment of a tube 704 having one-beam cuts forming a plurality of beams 730 and rings 740. As shown, the cuts are arranged so that the beams 730 are aligned along one side of the tube 704, rather than being altematingly positioned by 180 degrees or some other angular amount. Such an embodiment can beneficially provide preferential bending in one direction (e.g., toward the aligned beams 730) so that the associated recovery force back toward the axis of the tube is further minimized.

[0103] Figure 16 illustrates an embodiment of a tube 304 having a bypass cut pattern and an angular offset between sets of cuts. As shown, the angular offset positions resulting beams 330 in a rotating/helical circumferential pattern along the length of the tube section. In some embodiments, a first angular offset is applied from one cut to the next within a set of cuts, and a second angular offset is applied from one set of cuts to the next set of cuts. For example, as illustrated in Figure 16, each cut 308 in a pair of adjacent cuts may be offset by about 180 degrees so as to leave resultant beams 330 on opposite sides of one another with respect to the longitudinal axis of the guidewire, while each pair is offset from an adjacent pair by some other angular offset (e.g., by about 5 degrees in the illustrated embodiment). In this manner, the intra-set angular offset can position beams 330 on opposite sides of the guidewire axis, while the inter-set angular offset can adjust the angular position of successive beams enough to minimize preferred bending directions of the guidewire over a length of several sets of cuts 308.

[0104] Rotational offsets may also be applied to the cut patterns illustrated in Figures 12 through 15. In preferred embodiments, each successive cut or sets of cuts (e.g., every second cut, third, fourth, etc.) along the length of a given section is rotationally offset by about 1, 2, 3, 5, or 10 degrees, or is offset by about 1, 2, 3, 5, or 10 degrees off from 90 degrees in a two-beam configuration or 1, 2, 3, 5, or 10 degrees off from 180 degrees in a one-beam configuration. These rotational offset values have beneficially shown good ability to eliminate flexing bias.

[0105] For example, in a two-beam cutting pattern where each pair of beams are equally circumferentially spaced such as shown in Figure 14, a rotational offset that is about 1, 2, 3, 5, or 10 degrees off from 90 degrees positions every other pair of beams along the length of the cut section with a misalignment of a few degrees. For example, a second pair of beams may be rotationally offset from a first pair of beams by slightly more or less than 90 degrees, but a third pair of beams will only be rotationally offset from the first pair by a few degrees, and a fourth pair of beams will only be rotationally offset from the second pair by a few degrees. When several successive pairs of beams are arranged this way along the length of a cut section of the guidewire device, the resulting structure allows the cut pattern to enhance flexibility without introducing or aggravating any directional flexibility bias.

[0106] The separate components and features of the tube embodiments shown in Figures 12 through 16 may be combined to form different tube configurations. For example, some tubes may be configured so as to have a section of bypass (one-beam) cuts (as in Figures 12, 15, and/or 16) and a section of symmetrically spaced two-beam cuts (as in Figure 14), optionally also having one or more depth-offset two-beam cuts (as in Figure 13). For example, some tube embodiments may include a proximal section having a symmetrically spaced two-beam cut pattern which transitions to a distal section having a bypass cut arrangement.

[0107] The embodiments described herein can beneficially enable more proximal regions of the tube to transmit relatively more torque, while reducing the torquability of more distal sections of the tube to allow for tip shaping without overly sacrificing torquability. Accordingly, the features of a guidewire device may be tuned to a particular need or application to optimize the operational relationship between torqueability, flexibility, and tip shapeability.

[0108] In preferred embodiments, the shapeable distal section of the core has a stiffness that is able to withstand an expected bending force from the tube acting upon the distal section of the core after it has been shaped. In some embodiments, the shapeable distal section of the core is formed from a material or combination of materials providing a modulus of elasticity that is about 1.5 to 4 times greater, or about 2 to 3 times greater than the modulus of elasticity of the material(s) used to form the tube.

[0109] Figure 17 illustrates an embodiment of a tube 804 having a first section 850, a second section 860, and a third section 870. The second section 860 is distal to the first section 850 and the third section 870 is distal to the second section 860. Each of the sections 850, 860, 870 may be distinguished from one another by the cutting pattern of each section. As discussed above with reference to other embodiments described herein, the cutting pattern may produce rings 840 and beams 803 within the tube. The sections 850, 860, 870 illustrated in Figure 17 may have different cutting patterns in each section. For example, the first section 850 may have a two-beam cutting pattern, the second section 860 may have a one-beam cutting pattern, and the third section 870 may have a two-beam cutting pattern.

[0110] One will appreciate that other embodiments may include different cutting patterns from those illustrated in Figure 17. For example, in one embodiment, the first section 850 may have a cutting pattern of greater than two beams, the second section 860 may have a two-beam cutting pattern or one-beam cutting pattern, and the third section 870 may have a one-beam cutting pattern or may be omitted. Also, other embodiments of the tube 804 may include more or less than three sections along the length thereof. For example, one embodiment of the tube 804 may include four or more sections. Also, for example, one embodiment of the tube 804 may include only one or two sections. Cut patterns shown in any of the other embodiments described herein may be utilized.

[0111] Figure 18A illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a tube 904 similar to the embodiment of the tube illustrated in Figure 17. The tube of Figure 18A also shows a partial cross- sectional view of the second section 960 to illustrate a distal section 912 of the core 902 extending through the tube 904 and the coil 914. Although only a partial cross-section is shown here, it will be understood that the core 902 will typically extend all the way to the distal end 922 of the device. In the illustrated embodiment, the second section 960 of the tube 904 includes a one-beam cutting pattern. The one-beam cutting pattern creates a series of axially extending beams 930 each disposed between a pair of adjacent circumferentially extending rings 940.

[0112] In the illustrated embodiment, successive beams 930 alternate in position from a first side 916 of the tube 904 to a second side 918 of the tube 904 (i.e., each successive beam 930 has a rotational offset of about 180°). In another embodiment, the beams 903 of the one-beam cutting pattern of the second section 960 may all be positioned along the same side of the tube to form a backbone of aligned beams 930 extending axially along the tube 904 and connecting the plurality of rings 940, similar to the embodiment shown in Figure 15.

[0113] The one-beam cutting pattern of the second section 960, shown in Figure 18A, forms a preferred bending plane B. The preferred bending plane B extends axially along the tube 904 and transversely across the tube 904, as indicated in Figure 18A. Because the beams 930 of the second section 960 extend axially with the tube 904, the tube 904 is most flexible along the preferred bending plane B. That is, the beams 930 are configured such that the tube 904 is least resistant to being bent along the preferred bending plane B compared to any other planes. In this example embodiment, the cutting pattern of the second section 960, whether producing an alternating pattern of beams 930 as shown in Figure 18A or the single backbone of beams 930 as discussed above, produces a preferred bending plane B.

[0114] Also, as shown in Figure 18A, the distal section 912 of the core 902 tapers as it extends distally through the coil 914 and tube 904 and tapers at the distal portion into a flat, ribbon-like configuration. Figure 18B illustrates a transverse cross-sectional view of the tube 904 through plane A-A of Figure 18A. The distal section 912 of the core 902 is a substantially flat ribbon extending axially within at least the second section 960 of the tube 904. The ribbon configuration of the core 912 has a major dimension DI and a minor dimension D2. The major dimension DI of the distal section 912 of the core 902 is larger than the minor dimension D2 of the core 912 so that a major plane of the ribbon-like distal section 912 of the core 902 extends orthogonally (and preferably perpendicularly) to the preferred bending plane B. In this way, the distal section 912 of the core 902 is also least resistant to bending within the preferred bending plane B, along with the tube 904. In other words, the core 912 may taper to a ribbon-like configuration and extend axially along the tube 904 such that the distal section 912 of the core 902 is aligned with the beams 930 of the second section 960 so that it shares the preferred bending plane B with the tube 904.

[0115] In one embodiment, the second section 960 of the tube 904 is about 0.5 cm to about 5 cm in length. In another embodiment, the second section 960 of the tube 904 is about 1 cm to about 2 cm in length. In yet another embodiment, the second section 960 of the tube 904 is about 1 cm to about 1.5 cm in length. The distance from the distal end 922 to which the second section 960 extends may vary depending on the length of the tube 904 that is bent or shaped for a given procedure. These distances may vary between embodiments to accommodate various procedures, as necessary. Other features of the embodiments illustrated in Figures 17 through 18B, including materials and dimensions of the coil 914, tube 904, and core 902, and including particular features relating to the cutting patterns, may be similar to other embodiments described herein with reference to the other figures.

[0116] Figure 19 illustrates a close-up view of a transition between the first section 950 and the second section 960 of the tube 904. In the illustrated embodiment, the first section 950 includes a two-beam cutting pattern and the second section 960 includes a one-beam cutting pattern. The stiffness of the tube 904 in each section depends, at least in part, on the amount of material remaining in the tube 904 once the cuts have been made and in the arrangement/spacing of the remaining beams 930. For example, a section of the tube 904 having two beams 930 between each pair of adjacent rings 940 will, all else being equal, have a greater stiffness than a section of the tube 904 having a single beam 930 of the same size between each pair of adjacent rings 940. Also, for example, a section of the tube 904 having a greater distance between cuts will, all else being equal, have a greater stiffness than a section with less distance between cuts. That is, the greater the distance between the cuts, the greater the thickness of the rings 940 formed between the cuts, and the greater the stiffness of the tube 904 in that section.

[0117] The cuts, rings 940, and beams 930 disposed at or near the transition point between the first section 950 and the second section 960 of the tube 904 illustrated in Figure 19 are configured such that the stiffness profile of the tube 904 is approximately continuous across the transition between the two sections 950 and 960. In other words, the cutting patterns of the first and second sections 950 and 960 are arranged to avoid a significant jump up or down in stiffness from one side of the transition point to the other.

[0118] Of course, some level of discrete change in stiffness from measured segment to measured segment may be present depending on the particular level of granularity at which the stiffness is measured along the tube 904 and depending on the specified length of the measured segments. Because an infinite number of stiffness measurements cannot be made, a practically measurable stiffness profile will consist of measured stiffness levels at each of a series of discrete segment lengths of the tube. While jumps (i.e., change in stiffness) from one measured segment to the next measured segment may be discrete, the overall pattern of such jumps preferably approximates a linear series or at least a smooth curve. Thus, in the context of this disclosure, a “significant jump” occurs where a jump from one segment to the next is greater than either immediately adjacent jump by a factor of more than about 1.5. A significant jump is therefore avoided and the stiffness profile across the transition point is therefore “continuous” when no jump across the transition point is greater than either adjacent jump by a factor of more than about 1.5. Preferably no jump across the transition point is greater than either adjacent jump by a factor of more than about 1.2.

[0119] Figure 19 illustrates an embodiment of the tube 904 having rings 940 and beams 930 that accomplish a continuous stiffness profile across the transition between sections 950, 960. In the illustrated embodiment, the axial thickness of the most proximal ring 940a of the second section 960 is greater than the axial thickness of the most distal ring 940b of the first section 950. In this way, the total amount of material of the tube 904 at the transition is similar between the sections 950, 960 at or near the transition. This results in a continuous stiffness across the transition, as described above. In addition, the axial thickness of the rings 940 of the second section 960 may decrease distally along the length of the tube 904 so that the stiffness correspondingly decreases. This is illustrated in Figure 19 but shown more dramatically in Figure 18A.

[0120] Turning now to Figure 20, the distal tip 906 of the tube 904 is shown. The distal tip 906 shown in Figure 20 includes the third section 970, at least a portion of the second section 960, and a polymer adhesive 920 disposed distal to the third section 970 at the distal end 922 of the tube 904. The third section 970 of the tube 904 includes a two-beam cutting pattern forming two beams 930 between each pair of adjacent rings 940. This contrasts with the one-beam cutting pattern of the second section 960. One will appreciate that a transition between the second section 960 and the third section 970 may be similar to the transition between the first section 950 and the second section 960, as described above. That is, the stiffness of the tube 904 may be approximately continuous across the transition from the second section 960 to the third section 970.

[0121] The adhesive 920 disposed at the distal end 922 of the tube 904 may extend between the tube 904 and the core at the distal end 922 of the tube 904 to secure the tube 904 and core together. As illustrated in Figure 10, the distal section 212 of the core 202 may extend distally beyond the tube 204 and into the adhesive 220. The adhesive 220 can thus function to couple the tube 204 to the core and/or coil 214.

[0122] Referring again to Figure 20, the adhesive 920 may be disposed on the distal end 922 of the tube 904 and at least partially wick proximally and into one or more of the cuts between the various rings 940 and beams 930 of the third section 970. The two-beam cutting pattern of the third section 970 provides added surface area of the tube 904 material, compared to the one-beam cutting pattern of the second section 960, to which the adhesive 920 can bond. Thus, the two-beam cutting pattern of the third section 970 provides a stronger coupling between the adhesive 920 and distal section of the core and/or coil. One will appreciate that cutting patterns including more than two beams 930 between each pair of adjacent rings 940 may therefore serve to enhance the strength of the coupling between the tube 904 and the distal section of the core 202 and/or the coil. However, as discussed above, the more material the cuts remove from the tube 904, the less stiff the tube 904 will be, and vice versa.

[0123] Also, during manufacturing, disposing a larger amount of adhesive 920 on the distal end 922 of the tube 904 will result in the adhesive 920 wicking further proximally up the tube 904. The two-beam cutting pattern of the third section 970 provides an effective visual indicator to a manufacturer, due to the number and spacing of the cuts in the cutting pattern, in order to see how far proximally up the third section 970 the adhesive 920 wicks. This visual indication of the third section 970 may also assist a machine or other automated manufacturing device in detecting how far the adhesive 220 wicks proximally up the third section 970 during manufacturing.

[0124] For example, when a manufacturer disposes the adhesive 920 on the distal end 922 of the tube 904 during manufacturing, the adhesive may begin to wick through the spaces between the rings 940 and beams 930 in the third section 970. Because the two-beam cutting pattern of the third section 970 provides a visual indicator, in contrast to the one-beam cutting pattern of the second section 960, the manufacturer can more easily discern how far proximally up the tube 904 the adhesive wicks from one ring 940 to the next. The manufacturer can therefore determine how much adhesive 220 to dispose onto the distal end 922 of the tube 904. The manufacturer can also determine when to stop adding adhesive 220 based on a predetermined distance or ring 940 to which the adhesive 920 has wicked.

[0125] In one embodiment, the third section 970 of the tube 904 extends between about 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm from distal a distal end 922 of the tube 904. In another embodiment, the third section 970 of the tube 904 extends between about 0.75 mm and 1.25 mm from distal a distal end 922 of the tube 904. In yet another embodiment, the third section 970 of the tube 904 extends about 1 mm from distal a distal end 922 of the tube 904. The distance from the distal end 922 to which the third section 970 extends may vary depending on the length of the tube 904 that is needed to be bent or shaped, or the distance necessary for the adhesive 920 to wick sufficiently up the tube 904. These distances may vary between embodiments to accommodate various tubes and procedures, as necessary. Other features of the embodiments illustrated in Figures 19 and 20, including materials, properties, and dimensions of the coil 914, tube 904, and core 902, may be similar to other embodiments described herein with reference to the other figures.

Additional Terms & Definitions

[0126] While certain embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, with reference to specific configurations, parameters, components, elements, etcetera, the descriptions are illustrative and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the claimed invention.

[0127] As used herein, the term “microfabricated” refers to any fabrication process capable of manipulating a stock material to form a catheter device having one or more of the features disclosed herein, including any fabrication process capable of forming gaps in an inner shaft as disclosed herein. Examples include, but are not limited to, laser cutting and blade cutting.

[0128] For any given element of component of a described embodiment, any of the possible alternatives listed for that element or component may generally be used individually or in combination with one another, unless implicitly or explicitly stated otherwise.

[0129] Unless otherwise indicated, numbers expressing quantities, constituents, distances, or other measurements used in the specification and claims are to be understood as optionally being modified by the term “about” or its synonyms. When the terms “about,” “approximately,” “substantially,” or the like are used in conjunction with a stated amount, value, or condition, it may be taken to mean an amount, value or condition that deviates by less than 20%, less than 10%, less than 5%, less than 1%, less than 0.1%, or less than 0.01% of the stated amount, value, or condition. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.

[0130] Any headings and subheadings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims.

[0131] It will also be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” do not exclude plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, an embodiment referencing a singular referent (e.g., “widget”) may also include two or more such referents.

[0132] It will also be appreciated that embodiments described herein may include properties, features (e.g., ingredients, components, members, elements, parts, and/or portions) described in other embodiments described herein. Accordingly, the various features of a given embodiment can be combined with and/or incorporated into other embodiments of the present disclosure. Thus, disclosure of certain features relative to a specific embodiment of the present disclosure should not be construed as limiting application or inclusion of said features to the specific embodiment. Rather, it will be appreciated that other embodiments can also include such features.