Method for manipulating an adjustable shape guide catheter

• US 20050159725A1
• Filed: 12/30/2004
• Published: 07/21/2005
• 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 7,875,018 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/500
• 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 method of manipulating a catheter assembly involves providing an inner catheter member movably disposed within an outer catheter member. At least a distal end portion of the inner catheter member has a stiffness greater than that of at least a distal end portion of the outer catheter member. The distal end portion of the outer catheter member includes a deflectable distal end. The method further involves advancing the inner catheter member through the outer catheter member toward the deflectable distal end of the outer catheter member, and longitudinally displacing the distal end portion of the inner catheter member relative to the deflectable distal end of the outer catheter member to alter a shape of the deflectable distal end.

Claims

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

providing an inner catheter member movably disposed within an outer catheter member, at least a distal end portion of the inner catheter member having a stiffness greater than that of at least a distal end portion of the outer catheter member, the distal end portion of the outer catheter member having a deflectable distal end;

advancing the inner catheter member through the outer catheter member toward the deflectable distal end of the outer catheter member; and

longitudinally displacing the distal end portion of the inner catheter member relative to the deflectable distal end of the outer catheter member to alter a shape of the deflectable distal end.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein advancing the inner catheter member comprises slidably advancing the inner catheter member through the outer catheter member.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein advancing the inner catheter member comprises rotatably advancing the inner catheter member through the outer catheter member.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of advancing and longitudinally displacing is performable using single-handed manipulation at a proximal end of the catheter assembly.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein each of advancing and longitudinally displacing is performable using single-handed manipulation at a proximal end of the catheter assembly.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein each of advancing and longitudinally displacing is contemporaneously performable using single-handed manipulation at a proximal end of the catheter assembly.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising advancing a guide member through the inner catheter and relative to the deflectable distal end of the outer catheter member to further alter the shape of the deflectable distal end.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the distal end portion of the inner catheter member comprises a preformed curve.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the distal end portion of the outer catheter member comprises a preformed curve.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the distal end portions of the inner and outer catheter members respectively comprise a preformed curve.

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

providing an inner catheter member movably disposed within an outer catheter member, at least a distal end portion of the inner catheter member having a stiffness greater than that of at least a distal end portion of the outer catheter member, the distal end portion of the outer catheter member having a deflectable distal end;

advancing the inner catheter member through the outer catheter member toward the deflectable distal end of the outer catheter member; and

longitudinally displacing the distal end portion of the inner catheter member relative to the deflectable distal end of the outer catheter member to alter a shape of the deflectable distal end; and

rotating the distal end portion of inner catheter member relative to the deflectable distal end of the outer catheter member in response to a torqueing force applied to a proximal end of the inner catheter member.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein advancing the inner catheter member comprises slidably advancing the inner catheter member through the outer catheter member.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein advancing the inner catheter member comprises rotatably advancing the inner catheter member through the outer catheter member.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein at least two of advancing, longitudinally displacing, and rotating are performable using single-handed manipulation at a proximal end of the catheter assembly.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein advancing, longitudinally displacing, and rotating are performable using single-handed manipulation at a proximal end of the catheter assembly.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein at least two of advancing, longitudinally displacing, and rotating are contemporaneously performable using single-handed manipulation at a proximal end of the catheter assembly.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein at least one of longitudinally displacing and rotating the distal end portion of the inner catheter member relative to the deflectable distal end of the outer catheter member facilitates alteration of the shape of the deflectable distal end in two dimensions.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein longitudinally displacing and rotating the distal end portion of the inner catheter member relative to the deflectable distal end of the outer catheter member facilitates alteration of the shape of the deflectable distal end in three dimensions.

19. The method of claim 11, further comprising advancing a guide member through the inner catheter and relative to the deflectable distal end of the outer catheter member to further alter the shape of the deflectable distal end.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein one or both of the distal end portion of the inner catheter member and the distal end portion of the outer catheter member comprises a preformed curve.