Steerable and shapable catheter employing fluid force
First Claim
1. A steerable catheter comprising:
- a tubular body defining at least one lumen extending from a proximal end region of the tubular body to a point along the length of the tubular body; and
the at least one lumen defining at least one inlet port adapted for coupling to a fluid source, the at least one lumen being otherwise sealed.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A catheter employing fluid force to steer and/or shape the catheter. In one particular implementation, the catheter includes at least one actuating lumen operably associated with the shaft of the catheter. The at least one actuating lumen is in fluid communication with a valve or other fluid control means at its proximal end. The at least one actuating lumen extends along the length of the catheter shaft and terminates at some point along the length of the shaft. Upon introduction of fluid into the actuating lumen, the fluid creates a force which causes the catheter to bend. As such, fluid may be used to steer and/or shape the catheter.
170 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A steerable catheter comprising:
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a tubular body defining at least one lumen extending from a proximal end region of the tubular body to a point along the length of the tubular body; and
the at least one lumen defining at least one inlet port adapted for coupling to a fluid source, the at least one lumen being otherwise sealed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A steerable catheter comprising:
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a sheath having a proximal end region and a distal end region, the distal end region adapted for performance of a medical procedure, the sheath defining at least one steering lumen, the steering lumen defining at least one inlet port adapted for the introduction of steering fluid into the at least one steering lumen;
the steering lumen not defining any openings along the distal end region of the sheath; and
a flexible and resilient member connected with the sheath, the member defining at least one curve.
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18. A method of steering a catheter within a human body comprising:
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providing for introduction of a catheter into the human body, the catheter comprising a tubular body including at least one lumen, the at least one lumen defining an inlet port adapted for coupling to a fluid source, the at least one lumen being otherwise sealed; and
providing for introduction of a fluid from the fluid source into the inlet port, the fluid creating force to bend the tubular body and thereby steer the catheter. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification