| abstract |
The present invention comprises a tubular catheter shaft defining at least one catheter shaft lumen and a radiopaque band made of a polymeric material loaded with a radiopaque material of greater than 40% by weight, suitable for visualization under fluoroscopy in catheters in the range of 3 French to 5 French. The distal soft tip is formed of a relatively flexible polymeric material, loaded with radiopaque material which is less radiopaque than the radiopaque band. The radiopaque band's proximal end adjoins the distal end of the catheter shaft. The radiopaque band's distal end adjoins the proximal end of the distal tip to form an attachment junction. A tubular sleeve fits coaxially over the radiopaque band, the distal end of the catheter shaft and the proximal end of the distal soft tip. The tubular sleeve adheres the catheter shaft distal end to the proximal end of the radiopaque band and adheres the soft tip proximal end to the distal end of the radiopaque band thereby aligning the soft tip lumen, the radiopaque band lumen, and the catheter shaft lumen. The proximal end of the tubular sleeve is bonded to a distal portion of the catheter shaft. The distal end of the tubular sheath is bonded to the proximal end of the soft distal tip. The radiopaque band is bonded to the tubular sheath thereby bridging the attachment junction. The tubular sleeve is made of a polymeric material loaded with a radiopaque material which is less radiopaque than the radiopaque band. The tubular sleeve is melt compatible with the radiopaque band, the catheter shaft distal end and the distal soft tip such that the tubular sleeve, the distal end of the catheter shaft, the radiopaque band and the proximal end of the distal soft tip bond. |