Apparatus and method for using a steerable catheter device
First Claim
1. A steerable catheter device comprising:
- a sheath engaging a handle, the sheath having an outer end and an inner end;
a flexible catheter engaging the handle and extending through the sheath;
a shape memory catheter tip extending from a distal end of the flexible catheter;
at least one radiopaque marking on the catheter tip; and
a first lock supported by the handle for adjusting a force required for longitudinal movement of the flexible catheter relative to the sheath and for locking the flexible catheter relative to the sheath along a longitudinal axis of the sheath.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A handle includes a body portion and a handle portion which is slidably and rotatably mounted on the body portion. Shoulders on the body portion and the handle portion limit relative sliding movement of the body portion and handle portion. A catheter open at both ends has one end fixed to the handle portion for movement therewith, the opposite end of the catheter having a shape memory tip. A fitting is threadedly connected to an enlarged part of the body portion. A sheath is threadedly connected to the fitting and the catheter is slidable and rotatable within the sheath. An annular channel is provided between the sheath and the catheter, this channel being in fluid communication with a bore in the fitting. The outer end of the sheath has holes therethrough in fluid communication with the channel. An irrigation inflow and aspiration outflow tube is also in fluid communication with the bore in the fitting. A first lock is provided adjacent the fitting for controlling the amount of frictional resistance to lengthwise movement of the catheter relative to the sheath and to lock the catheter in position. A medical device such as an endoscope may be received within the catheter for movement relative thereto. A second lock is supported by the handle portion for locking a medical device in position relative to the catheter.
76 Citations
43 Claims
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1. A steerable catheter device comprising:
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a sheath engaging a handle, the sheath having an outer end and an inner end;
a flexible catheter engaging the handle and extending through the sheath;
a shape memory catheter tip extending from a distal end of the flexible catheter;
at least one radiopaque marking on the catheter tip; and
a first lock supported by the handle for adjusting a force required for longitudinal movement of the flexible catheter relative to the sheath and for locking the flexible catheter relative to the sheath along a longitudinal axis of the sheath. - 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 device comprising:
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a sheath having a plurality of holes at an outer end of the sheath for discharging an irrigation media;
a handle having a body portion engaging the sheath for supporting the sheath;
a catheter engaging the handle and extending through the sheath creating an annular channel between the catheter and the sheath, the catheter having opposite open ends;
a shape memory catheter tip extending from a distal end of the catheter;
at least one radiopaque marking on the catheter tip; and
a first lock supported by the handle for controlling longitudinal movement of the catheter relative to the sheath. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A method of delivering a medical device in a vasculature of a body comprising:
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inserting a guidewire in the vasculature;
moving a steerable catheter device over the guidewire, the steerable catheter device having a sheath supported by a handle and a flexible catheter extending through the sheath, the flexible catheter having a proximal end and a distal end terminating a catheter tip;
positioning the catheter tip at the treatment site using at least one radiopaque marking on the catheter tip;
locking the flexible catheter relative to the sheath with a first lock;
inserting the medical device through a proximal end of the flexible catheter at a proximal end of the steerable catheter device; and
removing the guidewire from the vasculature of the body. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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Specification