Method and apparatus for an adjustable shape guide catheter

• US 20020188278A1
• Filed: 06/07/2001
• Published: 12/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Tockman, Bruce, Westlund, Randy
• Granted Patent: US 7,674,245 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/527
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0041 pre-formed, e.g. specially adapted to fit with the anatomy of body channels urethral catheters A61F2/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0105 Steering means as part of the catheter or advancing means; Markers for positioning systems for detection of markers A61B
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0136 Handles therefor

Abstract

A catheter assembly includes an outer catheter member having a distal flexible end. An inner catheter member is movably disposed within the outer catheter member. Optionally, a handle assembly is coupled with the outer catheter member and the inner catheter member, where the handle assembly is adapted to slide the inner catheter member relative to the outer catheter member.

Claims

1. A catheter assembly comprising:

an outer catheter member extending from a first distal end to a first proximal end, where the first distal end is flexible;

the outer catheter member having a first lumen therein, the first lumen extending from the first distal end to the first proximal end;

an inner catheter member movably disposed within the first lumen of the outer catheter member;

the inner catheter member extending from a second distal end to a second proximal end; and

the outer catheter is more flexible than the inner catheter member.

2. The catheter assembly as recited in claim 1, further comprising a braid of material disposed between the outer catheter member and the inner catheter member.

3. The catheter assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein the outer catheter member is defined in part by a first length from the first distal end to the first proximal end, the braid defined in part by a second length, and the second length is less than the first length.

4. The catheter assembly as recited in claim 1, further comprising a braid of material disposed within a wall of the outer catheter member and/or the inner catheter member.

5. The catheter assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the first distal end of the outer catheter member includes two or more segments of material, including a first segment and a second segment, the first segment comprising a different material than the second segment.

6. The catheter assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the first distal end of the outer catheter member includes two or more segments of material, including a first segment and a second segment, the first segment having a different durometer than the second segment.

7. The catheter assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the outer catheter member has a preformed curve proximate to the first distal end and/or the inner catheter member has a preformed curve proximate to the second distal end.

8. The catheter assembly as recited in claim 1, further comprising a handle configured to slide the inner catheter member relative to the outer catheter member.

9. A catheter assembly comprising:

an outer catheter member extending from a first distal end to a first proximal end, where the first distal end is flexible;

the outer catheter member having a first lumen therein, the first lumen extending from the first distal end to the first proximal end;

an inner catheter member movably disposed within the first lumen of he outer catheter member;

the inner catheter member extending from a second distal end to a second proximal end; and

a braid of material disposed within the first lumen of the outer catheter member.

10. The catheter assembly as recited in claim 9, wherein the outer catheter member has a preformed curve proximate to the first distal end and/or the inner catheter member has a preformed curve proximate to the second distal end.

11. The catheter assembly as recited in claim 9, wherein the first distal end of the outer catheter member includes two or more segments of material, including a first segment and a second segment, the first segment comprising a different material than the second segment.

12. The catheter assembly as recited in claim 9, wherein the outer catheter member is defined in part by a first length from the first distal end to the first proximal end, the braid defined in part by a second length, and the second length is less than the first length.

13. The catheter assembly as recited in claim 9, wherein the inner catheter member is more rigid than the outer catheter member.

15. The catheter assembly as recited in claim 14, wherein the outer catheter member is more flexible than the inner catheter member.

16. The catheter assembly as recited in claim 14, wherein the outer catheter member has a preformed curve proximate to the first distal end and/or the inner catheter member has a preformed curve proximate to the second distal end.

17. The catheter assembly as recited in claim 14, further comprising a braid of material disposed between the outer catheter member and the inner catheter member.

18. The catheter assembly as recited in claim 14, further comprising a braid of material disposed within a wall of the outer catheter member and/or the inner catheter member.

19. The catheter assembly as recited in claim 14, further comprising a handle assembly including a sprocket and teeth configured to move the inner catheter member relative to the outer catheter member.

14. A catheter assembly comprising:

an outer catheter member extending from a first distal end to a first proximal end, where the first distal end is flexible;

the outer catheter member having a first lumen therein, the first lumen extending from the first distal end to the first proximal end;

an inner catheter member movably disposed within the first lumen of the outer catheter member;

the inner catheter member extending from a second distal end to a second proximal end;

the inner catheter member having a second lumen therein, the second lumen extending from the second distal end to the second proximal end; and

the first distal end of the outer catheter member includes two or more segments of material, including a first segment and a second segment, the first segment comprising a different material than the second segment.

20. A catheter assembly comprising:

an outer catheter member extending from a first distal end to a first proximal end, where the first distal end is flexible;

the outer catheter member having a first lumen therein, the first lumen extending from the first distal end to the first proximal end;

an inner catheter member movably disposed within the first lumen of the outer catheter member;

the inner catheter member extending from a second distal end to a second proximal end;

the inner catheter member having a second lumen therein, the second lumen extending from the second distal end to the second proximal end;

a handle assembly including an outer handle member and an inner handle member, the inner handle member slidably received within the outer handle member; and

the outer catheter member coupled with the first proximal end of the outer handle member, the inner catheter member coupled with the second proximal end of the inner handle member.

21. The catheter assembly as recited in claim 20, wherein the outer handle member includes a cut out therein, and the inner handle member includes a projection coupled thereto, where the projection is slidingly disposed through the cut out.

22. The catheter assembly as recited in claim 20, wherein the outer catheter member is more flexible than the inner catheter member.

23. The catheter assembly as recited in claim 20, wherein the first distal end of the outer catheter member includes two or more segments of material, including a first segment and a second segment, the first segment comprising a different material than the second segment.

24. The catheter assembly as recited in claim 20, wherein the first distal end includes two or more segments of material, including a first segment and a second segment, the first segment having a different durometer than the second segment.

25. The catheter assembly as recited in claim 20, wherein the outer catheter member has a preformed curve proximate to the first distal end, and/or the inner catheter member has a preformed curve proximate to the second distal end.

26. The catheter assembly as recited in claim 20, further comprising a braid of stainless steel disposed between the outer catheter member and the inner catheter member.

27. The catheter assembly as recited in claim 26, where the braid is secured to the inner catheter member or the outer catheter member.

28. The catheter assembly as recited in claim 20, further comprising a braid of stainless steel disposed within a wall of the outer catheter member and/or the inner catheter member.

29. The catheter assembly as recited in claim 20, further comprising a luer hub configured to secure the outer catheter member with the outer handle member.

30. The catheter assembly as recited in claim 20, further comprising a sprocket including sprocket teeth movably coupled with the outer handle member, the inner handle member includes inner member teeth, and the inner member teeth engage with the sprocket teeth.

31. A catheter assembly comprising:

an outer catheter member extending from a first distal end to a first proximal end;

the outer catheter member having a first lumen therein, the first lumen extending from the first distal end to the first proximal end;

an inner catheter member movably disposed within the first lumen of the outer catheter member;

the inner catheter member extending from a second distal end to a second proximal end;

the inner catheter member having a second lumen therein, the second lumen extending from the second distal end to the second proximal end; and

a means for flexing the first distal end of the outer catheter member.

32. The catheter assembly as recited in claim 31, further comprising a handle assembly adapted to slide the inner catheter member relative to the outer catheter member.

33. The catheter assembly as recited in claim 31, further comprising a braid of stainless steel disposed between the outer catheter member and the inner catheter member.

34. The catheter assembly as recited in claim 31, further comprising a braid of stainless steel disposed within a wall of the outer catheter member and/or the inner catheter member.

35. The catheter assembly as recited in claim 31, where in the first distal end of the outer catheter member includes two or more segments of material, including a first segment and a second segment, the first segment comprising a different material than the second segment.

37. The method as recited in claim 36, further comprising disposing fluid and/or a medical device through the second lumen of the inner catheter member.

38. The method as recited in claim 36, further comprising removing the inner catheter member.

39. The method as recited in claim 38, further comprising disposing fluid and/or a medical device through the first lumen of the outer catheter member.

40. The method as recited in claim 36, further comprising applying torque to the inner catheter member.

41. The method as recited in claim 36, wherein moving the inner catheter member relative to the outer catheter member includes sliding the inner catheter member within the outer catheter member.

36. A method of manipulating a catheter assembly, the method comprising:

disposing an inner catheter member within an outer catheter member, where the outer catheter member extends from a first distal end to a first proximal end, and the first distal end is flexible, the outer catheter member having a first lumen, the inner catheter member having a second lumen therein;

inserting the outer catheter member and the inner catheter member within a body;

moving the inner catheter member relative to the outer catheter member; and

flexing the first distal end of the outer catheter member.