Importance

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Abstract

The present invention is directed to novel methods and apparatus for structurally enhancing a catheter which can be employed to withstand the damaging stresses experienced by catheters implanted in bodily tissues, particularly catheters implanted in the compressed area between the clavicle and first rib of a patient. The enhanced catheter includes a nonmetallic inner tubular sleeve comprised wholly of a compliant material that is inserted in frictional engagement with the interior of the walls of the catheter. The inner sleeve has an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the catheter. The structurally enhanced catheter can be manufactured by immersing a portion of a catheter in freon which causes the immersed portion to swell to have an inner diameter temporarily greater than the outer diameter of the tubular sleeve. Thereafter, the tubular sleeve is advanced site-selectively to a position within the catheter. Finally, the portions of the exposed catheter are allowed to return to their normal size around the inserted reinforcing sleeve. Alternatively, the structurally enhanced catheter can be manufactured by advancing a reinforcing sleeve site-selectively to a position within the catheter while the catheter is inflated by introducing pressurized gas. The tubular sleeve is oriented on a hollow rod connected to an air pump and moved to the open end of the catheter. This forces air ahead of and around the tubular sleeve, increasing the diameter of the catheter surrounding the reinforcing sleeve so that the reinforcing sleeve may be advanced. After the reinforcing sleeve is in position, the rod is removed and the catheter returns to its normal position frictionally engaging the exterior of the reinforcing sleeve.

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First Claim