| abstract |
A wall ( 39 ) of a catheter ( 38 ) (a) includes a braided portion ( 41 ) having an outer surface ( 45 ), an inner surface ( 47 ), and a braided interior ( 53 ) between the outer and inner surfaces ( 45, 47 ), and (b) is shaped to define first and second longitudinally-running channels ( 27 a, 27 b) therethrough. A distal portion of the catheter ( 38 ) is shaped to define first and second lateral openings ( 26 a, 26 b). An angle between (a) a first line ( 76 ) running between the first and second lateral openings ( 26 a, 26 b), and (b) a second line ( 78 ) that is parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the catheter ( 38 ) when the catheter ( 38 ) is straight, is between 30 and 150 degrees. A flexible longitudinal member ( 14 ) passes from a proximal portion of the catheter ( 38 ) to the distal portion via the first channel ( 27 a), out of the first channel ( 27 a) via the first lateral opening ( 26 a), into the second channel ( 27 b) via the second lateral opening ( 26 b), and from the distal portion to the proximal portion via the second channel ( 27 b). |