Angular deflection apparatus for use in confined spaces and method of use
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a means for affecting tissue, the tissue affecting means disposed within a first enclosure having a preferred shape;
the first enclosure disposed within a second enclosure and thereby constrained to the shape of the second enclosure, the second enclosure being more rigid than the first enclosure;
the first enclosure free to translate within the second enclosure, thereby extending from the second enclosure to assume the preferred shape so as to move proximate a tissue surface.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A tube having a distal end portion made of a curved, flexible, shape retentive material such as superelastic, nickel-titanium memory metal alloy which has been heat-treated to retain a desired curved shape. The tube translates within and is constrained by a rigid sleeve, which may alternately be an instrument channel of an endoscope. When the distal end portion of the tube is extended from the sleeve, it returns to its original curved shape. Markings about the proximal and, or distal end portions of the tube enable the operator to know to what extent the distal end portion of the tube has been extended from the sleeve even when the distal end portion of the tube is not visible. The tube may be used for supporting and activating a cutting, abrading, coagulating, shrinking, or vaporizing device that is brought near or into contact with a tissue surface.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
- a means for affecting tissue, the tissue affecting means disposed within a first enclosure having a preferred shape;
the first enclosure disposed within a second enclosure and thereby constrained to the shape of the second enclosure, the second enclosure being more rigid than the first enclosure;
the first enclosure free to translate within the second enclosure, thereby extending from the second enclosure to assume the preferred shape so as to move proximate a tissue surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
- a means for affecting tissue, the tissue affecting means disposed within a first enclosure having a preferred shape;
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17. A method for affecting tissue comprising the steps of:
- inserting a first member, having a tendency to assume a preferred shape at a distal end thereof, into a second member;
inserting a tissue affecting means into the first member;
extending the distal end portion of the first member exterior the second member until the first member assumes the preferred shape thereby moving the tissue affecting means into proximity with a targeted tissue; and
actuating the tissue affecting means so as to affect the targeted tissue selectively. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
- inserting a first member, having a tendency to assume a preferred shape at a distal end thereof, into a second member;
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29. An apparatus for predictable lateral deflection comprising:
- a tissue affecting means disposed within a tube of a shape-retentive material;
a distal end portion of the tube assuming a curved shape when not otherwise constrained;
the tube movable within a constraining sleeve, the sleeve having a greater stiffness than the tube, wherein the distal end portion of the tube assumes the curved shape when extended from the sleeve. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33)
- a tissue affecting means disposed within a tube of a shape-retentive material;
Specification