BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] There remains a need for improved medical devices having tubing useful for such applications as access devices, catheters, introducers, or other such devices intended to provide access to regions within the body. For example, such devices can include dynamic wall structures that readily expand to allow passage of other medical devices, components, and/or implants where the dynamic wall returns to its normal diameter after passage of the secondary medical device, component and/or implant. Such dynamic wall structures can include active dynamic wall tubing where the expansion of the tubing requires activation. Alternatively, such dynamic wall structures can be passive where the tubing expands and contracts to accommodate passage of devices through the structure.

SUMMARY

[0002] The present disclosure includes expandable tubing configuration. In one example, , the tubing comprises an outer tube body comprising an expandable material; a structural element positioned helically within a wall of the outer tube body, where the structural element is expandable in an axial length, such that expansion of the structural element in the axial direction expands a diameter of the outer tube body.

[0003] In an additional variation, the structural element is configured to be pressurized.

A variation of the structural element comprises a coil or braid.

[0004] The structural element can comprise a wire or a polymeric material or a combination of both. In one example, the structural element comprises a first polymer and a second polymer co-extrusion such that a second of the structural element can comprise differing structural properties than the remainder of the section. Such properties can include durometer, elasticity, degree of stretchability, etc..

[0005] In an additional variation, the structural element comprises a curved

configuration in an unexpended shape and straightens when expanded.

[0006] In an additional variation, the structural element comprises a series of spring material having a zig-zag or undulating configuration when helically located within the wall of the outer tube body. Such a configuration can include a nested configuration.

[0007] In an additional variation, the outer tube body comprises a tubing material and a secondary material co-extruded with the tubing material. In such a configuration the secondary material stretches to a greater degree than the tubing material when the outer tube body expands. The outer tube can have any number of sections of the secondary material.

[0008] In any of the variations, the expandable tubing can have an expandable tip configuration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 A illustrates one example of an expandable tube configuration.

[0010] FIG. IB shows the expansion of the structural element allows the expandable tube when located within the tube body.

[0011] FIG. 1C illustrates a structural element prior to expansion.

[0012] FIG. ID illustrates a structural element after expansion.

[0013] FIG. 2 A illustrates another variation of a structural element prior to expansion but in a linear configuration.

[0014] FIG. 2B illustrates the variation of the structural element in FIG. 2A after

expansion.

[0015] FIG. 2C shows a partial cut-away portion of a dynamic walled tubing with the structural element in a non-extended or non-expanded configuration.

[0016] FIG. 2D shows a partial cut-away portion of the dynamic walled tubing with the structural element in an extended or expanded configuration.

[0017] FIGS. 3A - 3G illustrate another variation of a structural element 120 for use with a dynamic walled tubing.

[0018] FIG. 4A illustrates another variation of a passive dynamic walled tube.

[0019] FIG. 4B illustrates a cross sectional view of the tube of FIG. 4A taken along line 4B-4B.

[0020] FIG. 4C illustrates the dynamic walled tubing of FIGS. 4A and 4B to illustrate a radial force that represents passage of a device through the lumen of the dynamic walled tubing.

[0021] FIG. 4D illustrates another variation of a dynamic walled tubing with a

secondary material that extends in a helical configuration about the tubing.

[0022] FIG. 5 A illustrates another variation of a dynamic walled tube configured to have an expandable tip. [0023] FIG. 5B shows an extension mechanism to expand the tip of the device of FIG. 5A.

[0024] FIG. 5C shows a cross sectional view of the tip of the expandable tip catheter when in a non-expanded configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] The following illustrations demonstrate various embodiments and examples of the devices and methods according to the present disclosure. Combinations of aspects of the various devices and methods or combinations of the devices and methods themselves are considered to be within the scope of this disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 1 A illustrates one example of an expandable tube configuration 100 having an outer tube body 102 having a wall of thickness Tl and a lumen 104 with diameter dl. The tube body 102 is fabricated from an expandable polymer material with a structural element 120 located therein. The structural element 120 functions to assist the outer tube body 102 in expanding when an oversized device (not shown) is passed through the lumen. The structural element can be embedded with in the wall of the tube body 102 such as through an extrusion or molding process. Alternatively, the structural element 20 can be positioned within a channel extending through the wall of the tube body 102.

[0027] In the variation illustrated in FIG. 1 A, the structural element 120 comprises a wavy, zig-zag, or oscillating shape, as shown in FIG. 1C. Where the function of the shape is such that the total length 126 of the element 120 is reduced and can be expanded, as shown in FIG. ID to an increased length 130 upon actuation of the structural element 120. In certain variations, the length of each segmented section 128 comprises the elongated length 130. In additional variations, the structural element 120 can be elastically

expandable along length 126 to achieve increased length 130. In the illustrated variation, the structural element 120 can comprise an elastic structure that can be pressurized from a baseline pressure P0 to an increased pressure PI where the increased pressure straightens the structural element from length 126 to 130. Clearly, alternate modes of expanding the length are within the scope of variations of this disclosure. For example, die structural element can comprise a shape memory alloy that is heat or energy activated to expand from its natural length 126 to its expanded length 130. Furthermore, the structural element 120 can include any number of shaped configurations apart from a zig-zag, wavy, or oscillating shape as long as the length can increase as desired. [0028] FIG. 1A illustrates a state of the expandable tube 100 when the structural element 120 is in a natural or unextended state. The illustrated variation shows an inflation tube 106 coupled to the structural element 122. Any number of valves and/or plugs 124 can be used on either end of the structural element 122.

[0029] Alternate variations of the device include an inflation tube being a part of the structural element 122. In the initial condition, the pressure P0 allows the structural element 122 to remain in a relaxed condition where the diameter of the lumen 104 remains at dl. When desired, pressure is increased within the inflation tube 106 and/or structural element 120 as represented by PI. This increase in pressure permits the structural element 120 to extend from its initial state (as shown in FIG. 1C) to its elongated or extended state (as shown in FIG. ID). The corresponding change of the length of the structural element 120 from 126 to 130 acts upon the tube body 120 to increase a diameter of the lumen 104 to D2. In certain variations the thickness Tl of the wall of the tube body 102 in the natural state remains the same or approximately the same as a thickness T2 of the wall in the expanded state. Alternate variations include devices where the thickness of the device varies between expanded and unexpended states.

[0030] FIG. IB shows how expansion of the structural element 122, drives expansion of the expandable tube 102. As noted above, this variation can be considered to be an actively expandable tube 100 where the stress inducing compressed zig zag structural element 120 can be actuated to expand a diameter of the tube body 102 to allow passage of an oversized device into the lumen. When pressurized, the structural element 120 straightens and adds length to the circumference via an expanding diameter while allowing the wall thickness T2 to remain the same or nearly the same as the unexpanded wall thickness Tl of the unexpanded tube 100.

[0031] Additional variations of the device 100 can include multiple structural elements 120 positioned within the wall of the expandable tube 102. In addition, one or more structural elements 120 can be positioned within or about the tube 102 if desired.

[0032] FIG. 2A-2C illustrate another variation of a structural element 120 for use in a device 100 having dynamic walled tubing. In this variation, as shown in FIG. 2A, the structural element 120 is linear and comprises a coil or braid 132 located within an expandable liner 134. In the natural state, as shown by FIG. 2A, the liner 134 is at a first pressure PI which corresponds to a first length 126. Upon pressurization, to P2, the liner and coil expand to length 130. Once pressure returns to PI, the coil 132 and the liner 134 return to the state as shown by FIG. 2A. [0033] FIG. 2C shows a cut-away portion of a dynamic walled tubing 100. As illustrated, the structural element of FIG. 2 A is helically positioned within a wall of a tube body 102. As the structural element is pressurized via a port 106, the structural element 120 expands in length (as shown in FIG. 2B) such that the dynamic walled tubing 100 expands to the configuration shown in FIG. 2C. Again, the diameter of a lumen 104 in the tubing 100 can increase from dl to d2 or any range therebetween. When pressure within the structural element 120 is reduced, the dynamic walled tubing 100 can return to the state depicted in FIG. 2C.

[0034] FIGS. 3A - 3G illustrate another variation of a structural element 120 for use with a dynamic walled tubing 100. FIGS. 3A and 3B show a structural element comprising a first polymer 140 and a second polymer 142 where the first and second polymers 140 142 have differing structural properties such as durometer, elasticity, etc. In the illustrated example, and as shown with alternate configurations of die structural elements described herein, the structural element 120 can be configured to be pressurized, e.g., by sealing one or both ends of the lumen 138 and using an inflation member 106 (shown in FIG. 3C). With such a configuration, at a standard pressure P0, the structural element is in the configuration of FIG. 3B, e.g. a curved configuration, due to the differing structural properties of the first and second polymers 140 142. Upon pressurization of the element 120 to PI the structural element straightens as shown in FIG. 3A. FIG. 3C shows the configuration of P0 on the left and PI on the right where the structural element 120 goes from a shortened length L0 to an extended length LI.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 3C the second polymer 142 can be intermittent along the length of the structural element 120. In the illustrated variation, the second polymer 142 is located on opposite circumferential sides of the structural element 120. However, alternate variations are within the scope of this disclosure such as opposing helical winds, multiple strips along the structural element, etc. The variation shown in FIG. 3C illustrates the second polymer 142 forming two arcuate shapes that form a completed wave structure at P0.

[0036] In FIGS. 3A to 3C, the second polymer 142 comprises a lower modulus elastic strip where each opposing strip is aligned to be on a concave part of the waveform (inner part of the curve). When the structural element 120 is pressurized the stripe elongates and straightens the waveform by the anisitropic elastic modulus property of the intermittently stripped dual material tubing. One end of the helically wrapped intermittently striped waveform tubing is sealed. The other end has an extension line 106 with a port for attaching to a pressure source. For medical applications the port could be a luer fitting and the pressure source a syringe or other inflation device.

[0037] FIG. 3D illustrates the structural element 120 to have a reinforcing element 148 coupled to the structural element 120 (in this variation the reinforcing element 148 is inside the structural element 120. Such a configuration increases a kink resistance, hoop strength, buckling strength, cnish resistance, torque transmission, burst strength, and pushability of the structural element 120. The reinforcing element 148 can be metal or polymer, single solid form or multi stranded cable or fiber bundle, stainless steel or nitinol, shape set or superelastic.

[0038] FIG. 3E illustrates the structural element 120 coupled to a tube body 102 where the structural element 120 is wrapped in a wave pattern and wound continuously in a helical pattern about a circumference CO of the tube body 102 such that the internal diameter of the expandable tube 100 is dO.

[0039] In an additional variation, the striped structural element described above can be crosslinked so that it doesn't melt during a thermal fusing process used to create the structure. The amount of crosslinking can be controlled in a subsequent crosslinking initiation process such as exposure to UV energy, electron beam, gamma, x-ray, microwave, or other radiation source. The tubing resins can be compounded with a crosslinking inducing agent prior to the coextrusion process used to produce the dual durometer tubing. The amount or type of crosslinking initiator can be varied in the compounding step to achieve varying degrees of crosslinking upon exposure to

crosslinking energy.

[0040] The crosslinking of the structure is not a necessary requirement for thermally fusing the wrapped tubing because the intermittent striped tubing material can be composed of a higher melting point than the materials used in the liner and jacket of the resultant structure. The jacket material is not required to chemically bond to the intermittent striped structural element so for example the jacket and/or liner may be composed of a

polyurethane, silicone, or other elastomer and the striped tubing composed of PEBA resin, polyethylene, PET, or other thermoplastic.

[0041] FIG. 3F illustrates increasing pressure to PI within structural element 120 to increase the diameter of the expandable tube 100 to dl. As noted herein the internal diameter dl of the resultant structure 100 expands upon the application of pressure to the wrapped stripped tubing resulting in a larger pressurized circumference CI. While there is only one structural element 120 shown in FIG. 3F any number of structural elements 120 can be used along the axis of the tube 102. In certain variations multiple structural elements can be wrapped about the tube 102. In certain variations, the outer diameter of the structural element being wrapped and the number of structural elements being wrapped determines the helix angle. Moreover, a continuous structural element 120 can be wrapped along an axis of the tube 102.

[0042] FIG. 3G shows a variation of an expandable tubing 100 as described herein being constructed. FIG. 3G shows a structural element 120 (or plurality of structural elements) being wrapped about a tube 102. The wrapped tube can then be jacketed with a polymer layer or liner 110 to hold the structure together. Alternatively or in combination, the structural element 120 and inner tubing 102 can be bonded to each other along the surfaces of contact. The tubing 100 may have a square or rectangular cross section rather than the round cross section as illustrated. There may also be a liner on the internal surface of the structure that will stretch to increase in diameter when the structure is pressurized. This liner may be made of a thin lubricious material such as PTFE or other more elastic polymers with or without coating applied to the inner surface. The fusing of the wrapped tubing with a liner and jacket can be a thermal process such as lamination, lasering, ultrasonic, electromagnetic induction or radiofrequency bonding. The fusing may be done with or without the use of external processing aids such as removable heat shrink tubing or internal processing aids such as removable mandrels.

[0043] In another variation, fusing of the wrapped structural element 120 about the tubing 102 and liner 110 can be accomplished by a liquid dispersion process such as dipping in a solution of solvated polymer and allowing the solvent to evaporate. The resultant tubing structure 100 could be configured with a tapered tip for insertion into blood vessels or mating with dilators or obturators, or it may have a balloon mounted to the tip on the outer surface to provide retention force to resist tensile loads or to provide a seal for either vacuum, pressure, or fluid or gas transfer. In addition to a balloon on the outer surface, or independently, a balloon may mounted to the internal surface over a portion of the length of one end of the structure to provide a seal either for vacuum, pressure, or fluid or gas transfer.

[0044] FIG. 4A illustrates another variation of a passive dynamic walled tube 160. As shown, the dynamic walled tube 160 includes a series of spring material 164, such as a wire. In this variation, the spring material 164 comprises a nested wire wound in a zig-zag manner within a body of the tubing 160. The properties of the spring material 164 can be consistent or vary through the tubing. Furthermore, the amplitude of the spring material 164, the pitch of the wire, the number of turns, as well as other material parameters can be adjusted as needed through the length of the tubing 160. The dynamic tubing also includes one or more regions of a secondary material 166 extending through the tubing that comprises structural properties different than a remainder of the tubing material 162. For example, the tubing material 162 can comprise a HDPE/LDPE or a blend thereof. While the strip material 166 can comprise a low flexural modulus material, such as a PolyBlend 45A material.

[0045] FIG. 4B illustrates a cross sectional view taken along the lines 4B-4B of FIG. 4A. As shown, the tubing material 162 and secondary material 166 can be co-extruded around or on the reinforcing spring material 164. The spring material 164 is constrained from an expanded state when extruded or formed into the tubing material 162 and secondary material 166. Because the tubing material 162 and secondary material 166 constrains the spring material 164, the spring material 164 will reduce the force required to expand the dynamic walled tube 160 when a device is placed therethrough. In other words, as the dynamic walled tubing expands due to passage of a device therein, the spring material 164 attempts to revert to its expanded state thereby lessening the force required to expand the dynamic walled tubing and reducing the force required to advance the device through the dynamic walled tubing. However, upon removal of the device within the dynamic wall tubing 160 allows the tubing material 162 and secondary material 166 to again constrain the spring material 164 and revert to the natural state shown in FIG. 4A.

[0046] FIG. 4C illustrates the dynamic walled tubing 160 of FIGS. 4A and 4B to illustrate a radial force RF that represents passage of a device through the lumen of the dynamic walled tubing 160. The radial force RF causes stretching of the secondary material 166, which in certain variations, is more elastic than the tubing material 162. As illustrated, the stretching of the secondary material 166 causes deflection of the wall thickness of the secondary material 166 by an amount D while the wall tubing 162 thickness remains substantially unchanged. As noted above, the stored energy of the nested coil 164 functions to reduce the amount of radial force RF required to expand the dynamic walled tubing 160 at the region of the secondary material 166. The stretching and deflection of the secondary material 166 also serves to reduce a contact surface area between the dynamic walled tubing and the device advanced therethrough and further reduces the amount of force required to advance the device through the dynamic walled tubing 260. [0047] FIG. 4D illustrates another variation of a dynamic walled tubing 160. In this variation, the secondary material 166 extends in a helical configuration about the tubing 160.

[0048] FIG. 5A illustrates another variation of a dynamic walled tube configured to have an expandable tip. As shown, the tip of the tube 180 comprises a first material 184, typically a lower durometer material (e.g., 40A), containing a lumen 178 extending therethrough and terminating at the tip. A second material 182 higher durometer material (e.g., greater than 80A) is located adjacent to the first material 184. Next, a highly elastic material 186 is located adjacent to the second material 182. To expand the tip, a mechanism 202 causes elongation of the first material 184. Because the second 182 material is difficult to elongate, the highly elastic material 186 stretches allowing materials 184 and 182 to expand outwards causing the tip to expand as shown by arrow 190.

[0049] FIGS. 5B illustrates one example of mechanism for expanding the expandable tip catheter shown in FIG. 5A. In this example, the mechanism 202 comprises a thin walled longitudinally expandable pressure tubing. In additional variations, the tubing is not limited to longitudinal expansion but effectively expands to cause a distal force on the tip of the catheter 180 when located in the lumen 178, which results in expansion of the tip of the catheter 180. rAs shown, tubing comprises a non-expandable section 205 adjacent to an expandable section 204. For example, the expandable section 204 can comprise convoluted folds of the wall of the tubing, such that when the tubing 202 is pressurized from PI to P2 the expandable section 204 increases in length from LI to L2. In one variation, the non- expandable section 206 of the tubing 202 is affixed within the lumen 178 in the first material 184 such that elongation of the expandable section 204 causes outward movement of the tip.