Importance

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Abstract

Catheters are provided which have multiple flexibilities along their shafts as well as high pressure capabilities throughout the length of the catheter. Included is a catheter body having a relatively high stiffness which is particularly well-suited for maximum pushability through a body cavity or vessel. Secured to the distal end portion of this catheter body is a thin-walled, flexible tube which exhibits low stiffness to thereby impart maximum flexibility to the distal or tip portion of the catheter. A medical device balloon or other distal end member such as an atraumatic tip is secured to the distal end portion of the connecting tube. In the preferred arrangement, the thin-walled, flexible tube had been constructed by proceeding with radial expansion method in order to impart characteristics of excellent flexibility and high burst strength to the thin-walled flexible tube and thus to the assembled catheter.

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First Claim