Catheter drive shaft clutch
First Claim
1. A catheter, comprising:
- an elongate member;
a rotatable catheter drive shaft disposed within the elongate member, the catheter drive shaft having a proximal end to which torque can be applied; and
a clutch assembly mechanically coupled to the proximal end of the catheter drive shaft, and configured such that the catheter drive shaft operates in a drive mode before the applied torque exceeds a critical magnitude, and operates in a release mode after the applied torque exceeds the critical magnitude.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Rotating element catheters and catheter assemblies employ clutch assemblies for preventing rotational energy from being transmitted from a motor drive unit to the catheter element under defined circumstances. The catheter assembly includes an elongate member in which there is disposed a rotatable catheter drive cable. The catheter drive cable may have an operative element, e.g., an ultrasonic transducer or an artherectomy blade, distally mounted thereon for providing diagnostic or therapeutic functions to the physician. To control the rotation of the catheter drive shaft, the clutch assembly is configured such that the catheter drive shaft is operated in a drive mode (i.e., it is allowed to rotate) and in a release mode (i.e., it is prevented from rotating). The clutch assembly can be formed from a driven member and a driver member, which cooperate with each other, such that the driven and driver members are rotatably engaged with each other before an applied torque exceeds the critical magnitude, and rotatably unengaged with each other after the applied torque exceeds the critical magnitude. This clutching function can be actuated by any of a variety of physical forces, e.g., frictionally or magnetically.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A catheter, comprising:
-
an elongate member;
a rotatable catheter drive shaft disposed within the elongate member, the catheter drive shaft having a proximal end to which torque can be applied; and
a clutch assembly mechanically coupled to the proximal end of the catheter drive shaft, and configured such that the catheter drive shaft operates in a drive mode before the applied torque exceeds a critical magnitude, and operates in a release mode after the applied torque exceeds the critical magnitude. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 13)
-
-
8. A catheter, comprising:
-
an elongate member;
a rotatable catheter drive shaft to which torque can be applied, the catheter drive shaft being disposed within the elongate member;
a driven member rotatably coupled to a proximal end of the catheter drive shaft; and
a driving member cooperating with the driven member, wherein the driven and driving members are rotatably engaged with each other before the applied torque exceeds a critical magnitude, and rotatably unengaged with each other after the applied torque exceeds the critical magnitude. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
-
15. A catheter assembly, comprising:
-
an elongate member;
a rotatable catheter drive shaft disposed within the elongate member;
a distal operative element mounted on the catheter drive shaft;
a motor having a rotatable motor drive shaft for applying torque to the catheter drive shaft;
an automated clutch assembly mechanically coupled between the catheter drive shaft and the motor drive shaft for alternately operating the operative element in a drive mode and a release mode.
-
Specification