| abstract |
A catheter tube is composed of a main portion 22 and a tip portion 23. The main portion 22 of the catheter tube is of such a structure that an inner tube 4 and an outer tube 6 are joined via a reinforcing material layer 5, but the tip portion 23 is of such a structure that only the inner tube 4 and the outer tube 6 are joined without intervening the reinforcing material layer 5 between the two tubes. The reinforcing material layer 5 is formed by arranging a filamentous element (e.g., stainless steel wire) 51 around the inner tube in a lattice manner. The inclination angles ϑ1, ϑ2 and ϑ3 of the filamentous element 51 with respect to the axis of the catheter tube at the first, second and third regions 221, 222 and 223, respectively are determined so as to establish the relationship as ϑ1 < ϑ2 < ϑ3. Therefore, the rigidity of the catheter 2 can be increased in accordance with the decrease of the inclination angle of the filamentous element 51. According to the catheter tube, excellent pushing, torque transmission, follow-up to a guide wire, and kink-resistant characteristics can be attained, simultaneously and respectively. |