Articulator with adjustable stiffness distal portion
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a first wire, a second wire, and a third wire;
the third wire being disposed within a first lumen defined by the first wire;
the second wire being disposed in a third lumen defined the third wire;
a distal portion of the second wire being fixed to a distal portion of the second wire; and
a distal portion of the third wire being fixed to a distal portion of the first wire.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and devices for performing minimally invasive surgical procedures are disclosed. An articulator in accordance with one exemplary embodiment comprises a first wire, a second wire, and a third wire. The third wire being disposed within a first lumen defined by the first wire and the second wire being disposed in a third lumen defined the third wire. A distal portion of the second wire is fixed to a distal portion of the second wire and a distal portion of the third wire is fixed to a distal portion of the first wire.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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a first wire, a second wire, and a third wire;
the third wire being disposed within a first lumen defined by the first wire;
the second wire being disposed in a third lumen defined the third wire;
a distal portion of the second wire being fixed to a distal portion of the second wire; and
a distal portion of the third wire being fixed to a distal portion of the first wire. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An apparatus comprising:
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a first wire, a second wire, and a third wire;
the third wire being disposed within a first lumen defined by the first wire;
the second wire being disposed in a third lumen defined the third wire; and
a distal portion of the apparatus being capable of assuming a first configuration and a second configuration;
the distal portion of the apparatus having a first lateral stiffness while the distal portion of the apparatus is assuming the first configuration;
the distal portion of the apparatus having a second lateral stiffness while the distal portion of the apparatus is assuming the second configuration;
the second radius of curvature being different from the first radius of curvature;
an intermediate portion of the apparatus being capable of assuming a first shape and a second shape;
the intermediate portion of the apparatus having a first radius of curvature while the intermediate portion of the apparatus is assuming the first shape;
the intermediate portion of the apparatus having a second radius of curvature while the intermediate portion of the apparatus is assuming the second shape;
the second radius of curvature being different from the first radius of curvature.
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8. A method comprising the steps of:
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providing an apparatus having a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an intermediate portion disposed between the proximal portion and the distal portion;
advancing the distal portion of the apparatus through vasculature of a body so that at least a distal tip of the apparatus is disposed proximate a target location within the body;
allowing the distal portion of the apparatus to assume a first configuration while the distal portion of the apparatus is being advanced through the vasculature of the body; and
urging the distal portion of the apparatus to assume a second configuration while the distal tip is disposed proximate the target location. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method comprising the steps of:
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providing an apparatus having a proximal portion, a intermediate portion, and an intermediate portion disposed between the proximal portion and the intermediate portion;
advancing the intermediate portion of the apparatus through vasculature of a body so that at least a intermediate tip of the apparatus is disposed proximate a target location within the body;
allowing the intermediate portion of the apparatus to assume a first shape while the intermediate portion of the apparatus is being advanced through the vasculature of the body; and
urging the intermediate portion of the apparatus to assume a second shape while the intermediate tip is disposed proximate the target location. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17. A method comprising the steps of:
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providing a stylet having a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an intermediate portion disposed between the proximal portion and the distal portion;
advancing the distal portion of the stylet through vasculature of a body so that at least a distal tip of the stylet is disposed within a chamber of a heart of the body;
allowing the distal portion of the stylet to assume a first shape while the distal portion of the stylet is being advanced through the vasculature of the body; and
urging the distal portion of the stylet to assume a second shape while the distal tip is disposed in the chamber of the heart. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A stylet comprising:
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a first wire, a second wire, and a third wire;
the third wire being disposed within a first lumen defined by the first wire;
the second wire being disposed in a third lumen defined the third wire; and
means for reconfiguring the distal and intermediate portions of the first wire from a first configuration for advancing within a vessel with minimum trauma to the vessel to a second configuration for entering the ostium of the cardiac sinus. - View Dependent Claims (27)
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Specification