KATHETER

This invention is a surgical device. In particular, it is a catheter suitable for accessing a tissue target within the body, typically a target which is accessible through the vascular system. Central to the invention is the use of a stiffener ribbon, typically metallic, wound within the catheter body in such a way as to create a catheter having controllable stiffness. The stiffener ribbon is adhesively bonded to a flexible outer tubing member so to produce a thin wall catheter section which is exceptionally flexible but highly kink resistant. The catheter sections made according to this invention may be used in conjunction with other catheter sections either using the concepts shown herein or made in other ways. Because of the effective strength and ability to retain a generally kink-free form, these catheters may be effectively used in sizes which are quite fine, e.g., 0.015'' to 0.020'' in diameter, and usable within typical vascular catheters.