Importance

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Abstract

The method for securely attaching a radiopaque marker device to a medical instrument, such as a catheter, comprises the steps of providing a medical instrument, providing a marker device formed of a radiopaque shape-memory material, such as Nitinol, having a deformed configuration while at a first temperature, positioning the marker device adjacent the catheter, and changing the first temperature of the shape-memory material to a second temperature sufficient to cause the shape-memory material to transform from the deformed configuration to an original configuration so that the marker device engages the catheter upon return of the shape-memory material to the original configuration. The marker device may include a cylindrical band positioned concentrically around a tubular portion of the instrument so that heating of the shape-memory material is sufficient to allow the band to melt the tubular portion and move into embedded engagement with the tubular portion when in the original configuration. The step of changing the first temperature of the shape-memory material to the second temperature may result in the outer radial extent of the band extending no further radially outwardly than the outer surface of the tubular portion thereby maintaining the constant outer diameter of the tubular portion of the instrument. The resulting medical instrument includes a marker device specifically attached to the instrument by the thermally induced deformation of the shape-memory material from the deformed configuration to the original configuration.

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First Claim