Catheter tubing comprises: an elongate body comprising a base thermoplastic polyurethane; and a compounded thermoplastic polyurethane co-extruded with the base thermoplastic polyurethane to provide a section of catheter tubing discrete from the elongate body, the compounded thermoplastic polyurethane comprising a thermoplastic polyurethane and a radiopaque material, wherein the catheter tubing comprises a first elastic modulus under first conditions prior to entry into a patient; and wherein when exposed to second conditions comprising two or more in vivo stimuli for a duration of time the catheter tubing comprises a second elastic modulus that is not more than fifty percent of the first modulus.

A catheter comprises a heater control supplying power, a handle, a base catheter with lumen and comprising a proximal section and a distal segment, and a variable stiffness element. The element comprises a heater connected to the heater control, coiled at least at the distal segment, and comprising a shaft portion of a first metallic conductive material and a heater portion of a second metallic conductive material. A jacket is disposed about the heater portion. A variable flex sub-assembly between the catheter and jacket comprises a non-conducting braid and a binding material. Without power, the binding material is stiffened. Responsive to heating of the binding material, the binding material softens to increase flexibility of the variable flex sub-assembly at least at the distal segment. Responsive to removing power, the binding material cools and stiffens to decrease flexibility of the variable flex sub-assembly at least at the distal segment.

Provided are a body temperature-responsive and non-reusable stiffness-varying intravenous (IV) needle with an on-site temperature sensing function, an IV infusion set having the same, and a manufacturing method thereof. The stiffness-varying IV needle may include a body member implemented in a hollow elongated shape through which drug passes and having a variable stiffness according to ambient temperature; and a coating member configured to cover the outer surface of the body member and having biocompatibility.

A method of making a flexible medical article or tube, for example, a sheath for a vascular access device, is provided. The method can include extruding a polymer, for example, a polycarbonate-urethane copolymer, to form a tube and annealing the extruded polymer. The method can further include cutting the extruded tube to a desired length before or after annealing, flaring one end of the annealed tube and over-molding the flared portion onto a hub, and forming the other end of the tube into a tip. A sheath formed by such a method is also provided.

A method of making a flexible medical article or tube, for example, a sheath for a vascular access device, is provided. The method can include extruding a polymer, for example, a polycarbonate-urethane copolymer, to form a tube and annealing the extruded polymer. The method can further include cutting the extruded tube to a desired length before or after annealing, flaring one end of the annealed tube and over-molding the flared portion onto a hub, and forming the other end of the tube into a tip. A sheath formed by such a method is also provided.

A system for deploying a shape memory catheterization device within a patient, includes a catheter for endovascular insertion of the shape memory catheterization device. A heat source heats the shape memory catheterization device above the transition temperature. A transformation data generator includes a circuit driver for driving a circuit that includes at least one strain gage of the shape memory catheterization device and a detection circuit for generating transformation data based on a strain indicated by the at least one strain gage, wherein the transformation data indicates a shape transformation of the shape memory catheterization device from a catheterization shape to a transformed shape.

A controllable stiffness catheter comprises a shaft comprising an inner sheath defining an access lumen, an outer sheath surrounding the inner sheath and defining an annulus therebetween, the annulus having a vacuum connection at which a vacuum is applied to the annulus, and a mechanical stiffener disposed at least at a portion of the annulus and free to move relatively in the annulus with respect to at least one of the inner sheath and the outer sheath.

A controllable stiffness catheter comprising a shaft comprising an inner sheath defining an access lumen, an outer sheath surrounding the inner sheath and defining an annulus therebetween, the annulus having a vacuum connection at which a vacuum is applied to the annulus, and a mechanical stiffener disposed at least at a portion of the annulus.

An elongated device includes an optical fiber arranged to allow transmission of light to phase change material arranged long the elongated device, for optically heating the phase change material to change its stiffness from one stiffness value to a different stiffness value. Using distributed tilted or blazed Bragg gratings with light wavelength dependent unique grating periods along the optical fiber, a guide wire or catheter is provided which can be stiffness controlled at selected longitudinal portions. Behavior of the tip of a guide wire or catheter is controlled for optimal navigation. Portions of phase change material arranged inside a tube material can be activated at selected longitudinal parts of the elongated device.

A system for deploying a shape memory catheterization device within a patient, includes a catheter for endovascular insertion of the shape memory catheterization device. A heat source heats the shape memory catheterization device above the transition temperature. A transformation data generator includes a circuit driver for driving a circuit that includes at least one inductive element of the shape memory catheterization device and a detection circuit for generating transformation data based on an inductance of the at least one inductive element, wherein the transformation data indicates a shape transformation of the shape memory catheterization device from a catheterization shape to a transformed shape.