US Patent 7399296 Catheter having highly radiopaque embedded segment

Medical catheters adapted for use within a body vessel and methods of manufacturing are presented herein. The medical catheter comprises a tubular catheter shaft having a distal end that fits within the body vessel. The tubular catheter shaft comprises an unfilled or low-loaded inner liner and/or outer shell. The medical catheter also comprises a radiopaque segment that comprises a radiopaque material embedded between the inner liner and outer shell. The radiopaque material can be in the form of an ink, powder, or paste.