Braid And Coil Catheters

Braided catheters provide superior support, flexibility, and torque response during diagnostic and interventional procedures. These catheters are made up of multiple wires that are woven together in a braid pattern to form a durable and flexible tube. Braided catheters are particularly useful in procedures where the catheter needs to be advanced through tight spaces, such as vascular or neurovascular procedures. The braid structure of the catheter offers superior resistance to kinking and compression, which helps to maintain the catheter's shape and prevents blockages during use. One of the key benefits of braided catheters is their excellent torque response. The multiple wire braid design allows for precise control and manipulation of the catheter.

While coil catheters can also provide superior torque transmission and flexibility, their steering ability may not be as precise as that of braided catheters. Coil catheters are typically used in procedures where the catheter needs to be advanced through tortuous anatomy, and their primary advantage lies in their ability to maintain their shape and prevent blockages during use. Coil catheters are made of a single metal wire that is tightly wound around the catheter shaft, creating a spring-like structure that offers excellent flexibility and resistance to kinking.

Braid and coil reinforcements can be combined into a single design. Coil and braid reinforced catheters can offer superior support, flexibility, and control compared to catheters that use only one type of reinforcement. The improved performance may come at the cost of larger wall thickness and overall profile.