[ 0022 ] fig1 is a typical transverse cross section of the tip portion 11 of a catheter 10 of the prior art . a device such as a guidewire 12 is contained within the lumen of the catheter 10 . there is provided clearance , shown as dimension 13 , between the inside diameter of the tip portion 11 and the outside diameter of the guidewire 12 . as further described by the side view of fig2 when the catheter 10 is severely bent as is often the case when traversing tortuous vessels with the catheter 10 and guidewire 12 , the guidewire will offset to the inner meridian of the bent catheter 10 . the result is that a ledge 14 is created by the wall thickness of the tip portion 11 of the catheter 10 in combination with the operating clearance 13 between the guidewire 12 and inside diameter of the tip portion 11 . it is this ledge 14 that poses a risk of catching on the luminal surface of the vasculature . [ 0023 ] fig3 describes a transverse cross section of a tip portion 11 of a catheter 10 of the present invention . projecting from the luminal surface of the tip portion 11 are multiple bearings 30 , serving as centering means for any device , such as a guidewire 12 , exiting the tip portion 11 . these bearings 30 are preferably located only in the region of the tip portion 11 , with result that the operating clearance between the device and the luminal surface of the catheter 10 is maintained over the remainder of the length of the catheter 10 . bearings 30 can be formed to provide a slight interference with a guidewire or other device intended to be passed through the lumen of the catheter . for example , an inside diameter of the catheter tip as measured between two opposing bearings , shown as inside diameter 16 , may interfere in an amount of about 0 . 025 to 0 . 050 mm with the outside diameter of the intended guidewire . the interference is of such a minimal amount that no perceptible increase in friction between the guidewire and catheter occurs . [ 0025 ] fig3 a is a transverse cross section of the catheter tip 11 of fig3 further showing a device such as guidewire 12 centered within catheter tip 11 . while four bearings 30 are shown , it is apparent that at least three are required . at least four are preferred , and more than four may be used , such as five , six , seven , eight , nine , ten , etc . the transverse cross section of fig3 a includes a device such as guidewire 12 shown centered with bearings 30 . in a preferred embodiment , there is a slight interference fit between opposing bearings 30 and guidewire 12 . typically , the inside diameter of the catheter tip portion 11 as measured between opposing bearings 30 will be slightly less than the outside diameter of guidewire 12 . for example , for a guidewire having an outside diameter of about 0 . 36 mm ( a typical cardiology catheter ), the inside diameter of tip portion 11 as measured between opposing bearings 30 will preferably be about 0 . 31 mm . the longitudinal cross section of fig4 shows a preferred embodiment wherein bearings 30 take the form of longitudinally - oriented ribs 31 , substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 20 of catheter 10 . the distal end of the catheter 10 is indicated by arrow 41 and the proximal end is indicated by arrow 42 . these ribs 31 are preferably of a length that limits them to the tip portion 11 of the catheter 10 . a typical length for ribs extending for the full length of the tip portion 11 would be about 3 mm . while their height ( as measured perpendicularly from the luminal surface ) is maximized at the very distal end of the tip portion 11 , they preferably merge into the luminal surface of the catheter 10 at their proximal end . alternatively , as shown by the longitudinal cross section of fig4 a , the height of the bearings 30 may be kept substantially constant along the full length of each bearing , so that each bearing 30 exerts a relatively uniform force along its entire length against a guidewire or other device inserted through the catheter tip 11 . while the distal end of tip portion 11 is shown to be square , that is , cut off so as to be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 20 of the catheter 10 , it may be made with various shapes . it is believed that the end should most preferably be round in longitudinal cross section . in another embodiment shown in the longitudinal cross section of fig5 the bearings may take the form of ribs oriented other than longitudinally , such as helically - oriented ribs 33 . the longitudinal cross section of fig6 shows still another alternative wherein bearings are in the form of small protrusions 35 of hemispherical or substantially hemispherical shape , located at the very distal end of tip portion 11 . it is apparent that various shapes may be used for the protruding bearing surfaces . [ 0032 ] fig7 describes a transverse cross section of an alternative embodiment of the catheter tip 11 wherein the bearings 30 are not of rounded cross section . rather , the bearings 30 in this instance are of a shape that provides a larger contact area against the surface of the centered device . [ 0033 ] fig8 shows a transverse cross section of the catheter tip 11 representing a variation of the embodiment described by the transverse cross section of fig3 . fig8 describes relieved areas 81 on the exterior surface of the catheter tip that are directly opposite the bearings 30 on the luminal surface . these relieved areas 81 reduce the resistance of the bearings and allow for a more flexible and less rigid catheter tip 11 . the bearings are preferably integral to the luminal surface of the catheter tip , being molded as a part of that surface during the manufacture of the catheter tip . the catheter including the tip with bearings can be fabricated of various materials and combinations of materials known to those of skill in the art of catheters , using methods known in this art . these materials include polymers such as amide - based thermoplastic elastomers , silicones , polyurethanes , polyamides and various fluorinated polymers including polytetrafluoroethylene and fluorinated ethylene propylene . materials of particular durometer may be selected according to the degree of flexibility or rigidity desired . the catheter tubing may be reinforced with materials such as braided wires embedded in the catheter wall . alternatively , the bearings may be separately affixed if desired , by , for example , the use of adhesives suitable for the materials involved and for the medical use . this offers the possibility of providing bearings that have a different degree of flexibility ( or rigidity ) from the material of the remainder of the catheter tip . for example , bearings may be made of individual , relatively short pieces of metal wire for additional tip rigidity and / or radiopacity . the wire can be exposed as the actual bearing surface . alternatively , as shown in the transverse cross section of fig9 wires 91 may be embedded in the material of the catheter tip if it is preferred that the exposed bearing surface is the same material as that of the catheter tip . [ 0036 ] fig1 and 11 describe longitudinal and transverse cross sections respectively of an alternative embodiment wherein a single bearing surface in the form of a circumferentially oriented raised ring - shaped bearing surface 101 , located at the luminal surface of the distal tip of the catheter . while the longitudinal cross section shows a semi - circular profile for the bearing surface , it is apparent that other shapes may also be used . while the ring may be continuous around the entire circumference of the luminal surface , it is apparent that the ring may be interrupted as with notches to render it into two or more circumferentially oriented bearing surfaces . [ 0037 ] fig1 a and 12b describe sequential side views of the catheter tip ( with the catheter 10 and tip 11 shown in cross section ) as used to capture and collapse an embolic filter 121 . for this application , the catheter tip 11 is made from an elastomeric material such as silicone , which allows the catheter tip portion 11 to slightly increase in diameter by stretching to accommodate the capture and collapse of the embolic filter 121 as shown . the tip aids in collapsing the filter 121 to a smaller size for removal from the vasculature and ensures that material captured in filter 121 is also withdrawn via the catheter 10 . bearings 30 are preferably of a more rigid material than the catheter tip 11 , providing column strength that prevents the tip 11 from rolling inward and buckling . while the principles of the invention have been made clear in the illustrative embodiments set forth herein , it will be obvious to those skilled in the art to make various modifications to the structure , arrangement , proportion , elements , materials and components used in the practice of the invention . to the extent that these various modifications do not depart from the spirit and scope of the appended claims , they are intended to be encompassed therein .
a catheter for use with a guidewire , the catheter having a distal tip that centers the guidewire even when the catheter is severely bent , thereby avoiding protrusion of the distal tip of the catheter at the outer meridian of the catheter bend and reducing the risk of the catheter tip catching on the luminal surface of the adjacent vasculature . the distal tip of the catheter incorporates at least one guidewire bearing , preferably multiple bearings in the form of longitudinally oriented ribs , which provide the centering characteristic with minimal friction between the inner surface of the catheter distal tip and the outer surface of the guidewire . preferably , at least four guidewire bearings are provided .