Tortuous path injection device and method

• US 20030216693A1
• Filed: 06/18/2003
• Published: 11/20/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Mickley, Timothy J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,044,934 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/164.01
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0089 Single injection needle protruding axially, i.e. along the longitudinal axis of the catheter, from the distal tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0681 Systems with catheter and outer tubing, e.g. sheath, sleeve or guide tube
• 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 25/0084 being one or more injection needles
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0133 Tip steering devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0136 Handles therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0662 Guide tubes

Abstract

Devices and methods for delivering therapeutic or diagnostic agents to a target tissue of a human body are disclosed. A catheter in accordance with the present invention includes an elongate shaft having a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen therethrough. The elongate shaft includes a first curved portion proximate the distal end of the elongate shaft. The first curved portion of the elongate shaft defines a first plane. The elongate shaft also includes a second curved portion disposed between the distal end of the elongate shaft and the first curved portion of the elongate shaft. The second curved portion of the elongate shaft defines a second plane. The second plane intersects the first plane at an angle.

Claims

1. A catheter, comprising:

an elongate shaft having a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen therethrough;

the elongate shaft including a first curved portion proximate the distal end of the elongate shaft;

the first curved portion of the elongate shaft defining a first plane;

the elongate shaft including a second curved portion disposed between the distal end of the elongate shaft and the first curved portion of the elongate shaft;

the second curved portion of the elongate shaft defining a second plane; and

wherein the second plane intersects the first plane at an angle.

2. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the angle between the first plane and the second plan is between about 60 degrees and about 120 degrees.

3. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the angle between the first plane and the second plan is between about 75 degrees and about 105 degrees.

4. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the angle between the first plane and the second plan is about 90 degrees.

5. The catheter of claim 1, further including a second elongate shaft slidingly disposed within the lumen of the elongate shaft.

6. The catheter of claim 1, further including a second elongate shaft slidingly disposed within the lumen of the elongate shaft;

the second elongate shaft including a distal portion extending beyond the distal end of the elongate shaft.

7. The catheter of claim 1, further including a second elongate shaft slidingly disposed within the lumen of the elongate shaft;

the second elongate shaft including a distal portion extending beyond the distal end of the elongate shaft;

the distal portion of the second elongate shaft including a curve defining a third plane.

8. The catheter of claim 1, further including a second elongate shaft slidingly disposed within the lumen of the elongate shaft;

the second elongate shaft including a distal portion extending beyond the distal end of the elongate shaft;

the distal portion of the second elongate shaft including a curve defining a third plane;

wherein the third plane is substantially coplanar with the second plane defined by the second curve of the elongate shaft.

9. The catheter of claim 1, further including a second elongate shaft slidingly disposed within the lumen of the elongate shaft;

the second elongate shaft including a distal portion extending beyond the distal end of the elongate shaft;

the distal portion of the second elongate shaft including a curve defining a third plane;

wherein the third plane is substantially coplanar with the second plane defined by the second curve of the elongate shaft; and

wherein a radius of the curve of the distal portion of the second elongate shaft is substantially equal to a radius of the second curve of the elongate shaft.

10. The catheter of claim 1, further including a second elongate shaft slidingly disposed within the lumen of the elongate shaft;

the second elongate shaft including a distal portion extending beyond the distal end of the elongate shaft;

the distal portion of the second elongate shaft including a curve defining a third plane;

wherein the third plane is substantially orthogonal to the first plane defined by the first curve of the elongate shaft.

11. A catheter, comprising:

an elongate shaft having a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen therethrough;

the elongate shaft including a first curved portion proximate the distal end of the elongate shaft;

the first curved portion of the elongate shaft defining a first plane;

the elongate shaft including a second curved portion disposed between the distal end of the elongate shaft and the first curved portion of the elongate shaft;

the second curved portion of the elongate shaft defining a second plane; and

wherein the second plane is substantially orthogonal to the first plane.

12. The catheter of claim 11, further including a second elongate shaft slidingly disposed within the lumen of the elongate shaft.

13. The catheter of claim 11, further including a second elongate shaft slidingly disposed within the lumen of the elongate shaft;

the second elongate shaft including a distal portion extending beyond the distal end of the elongate shaft.

14. The catheter of claim 11, further including a second elongate shaft slidingly disposed within the lumen of the elongate shaft;

the second elongate shaft including a distal portion extending beyond the distal end of the elongate shaft;

the distal portion of the second elongate shaft including a curve defining a third plane.

15. The catheter of claim 11, further including a second elongate shaft slidingly disposed within the lumen of the elongate shaft;

the second elongate shaft including a distal portion extending beyond the distal end of the elongate shaft;

the distal portion of the second elongate shaft including a curve defining a third plane;

wherein the third plane is substantially coplanar with the second plane defined by the second curve of the elongate shaft.

16. The catheter of claim 11, further including a second elongate shaft slidingly disposed within the lumen of the elongate shaft;

the second elongate shaft including a distal portion extending beyond the distal end of the elongate shaft;

the distal portion of the second elongate shaft including a curve defining a third plane;

wherein the third plane is substantially coplanar with the second plane defined by the second curve of the elongate shaft; and

wherein a radius of the curve of the distal portion of the second elongate shaft is substantially equal to a radius of the second curve of the elongate shaft.

17. The catheter of claim 11, further including a second elongate shaft slidingly disposed within the lumen of the elongate shaft;

the second elongate shaft including a distal portion extending beyond the distal end of the elongate shaft;

the distal portion of the second elongate shaft including a curve defining a third plane;

wherein the third plane is substantially orthogonal to the first plane defined by the first curve of the elongate shaft.

18. A catheter, comprising:

a first elongate shaft having an inner surface defining a lumen;

a second elongate shaft slidingly disposed within the lumen of the first elongate shaft;

the first elongate shaft including a curved portion defining a first plane;

wherein the second plane is substantially orthogonal to the first plane;

the second elongate shaft including a distal portion extending beyond a distal end of the first elongate shaft;

the distal portion of the second elongate shaft including a curved portion defining a second plane;

wherein the first plane intersects the second plane at an angle.

19. The catheter of claim 18, wherein the angle between the first plane and the second plan is between about 60 degrees and about 120 degrees.

20. The catheter of claim 18, wherein the angle between the first plane and the second plan is about 90 degrees.