Patent attributes
A catheter includes a body having an outer surface defining a lumen and an expandable tip on a distal end thereof. The tip includes an opening axially extending therethrough. Upon insertion of a device having a larger outer diameter than the inner diameter of the expandable tip, the opening permits passage of the device therethrough. The tip expands commensurately with a difference between the outer diameter of the device and the inner diameter of the expandable tip. The expandable tip includes a tubular wall having an axially extending weakened portion formed from (1) at least two axially aligned slit segments and (2) at least two axially aligned segments that are strengthened when compared to the slit segments. One of the strengthened segments is positioned between two of the slit segments. Another of the strengthened segments is formed between a distal-most slit segment and a distal end of the expandable tip.
