Articulator with adjustable stiffness distal portion

• US 20060089569A1
• Filed: 10/26/2004
• Published: 04/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Heraeus Materials SA (Heraeus Holding GMBH)
• Original Assignee: Heraeus Materials SA (Heraeus Holding GMBH)
• Inventors: Townsend, Gregory L., Soukup, Thomas M.
• Application Number:
  US10/973,317
• Publication Number:
  US 20060089569A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/585
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/005 Flexible endoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0102 Insertion or introduction using an inner stiffening member, e.g. stylet or push-rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0138 having flexible regions as a result of weakened outer material, e.g. slots, slits, cuts, joints or coils
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0147 with movable mechanical means, e.g. pull wires
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/09025 with sliding mandrils

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.

Claims

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.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein relative movement of a proximal portion of the second wire relative to a proximal portion of the first wire causes a distal portion of the first wire to contract in length.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein relative movement between a proximal portion of the third wire and a proximal portion of the first wire causes an intermediate portion of the first wire to assume a curved shape.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the third wire is biased to assume a substantially straight shape.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second wire is biased to assume a substantially straight shape.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the intermediate portion of the first wire is biased to assume a substantially straight shape; and

the intermediate portion of the first wire assumes a substantially curved shape when a proximal end of the third wire is urged proximately relative to a proximal end of the first wire.

7. 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; 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.

8. A method comprising the steps of:

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.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein:

the distal portion has a first lateral stiffness when the distal portion is assuming the first configuration;

the distal portion has a second lateral stiffness when the distal portion is assuming the second configuration; and

the second lateral stiffness is different from the first lateral stiffness.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the second lateral stiffness is greater than the first lateral stiffness.

11. A method of claim 8, wherein:

the distal portion has a first length when the distal portion is assuming the first configuration;

the distal portion has a second length when the distal portion is assuming the second configuration; and

the second length is different from the first length.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the second length is smaller than the first length.

13. The method of claim 8, further including the step of urging the intermediate portion of the apparatus to assume a curved shape.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein:

the intermediate portion has a first radius of curvature when the intermediate portion is assuming the first shape;

the intermediate portion has a second radius of curvature when the intermediate portion is assuming the second shape;

the second radius of curvature is greater than the first radius of curvature.

15. A method comprising the steps of:

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.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein:

the intermediate portion has a first radius of curvature when the intermediate portion is assuming the first shape;

the intermediate portion has a second radius of curvature when the intermediate portion is assuming the second shape;

the second radius of curvature is greater than the first radius of curvature.

17. A method comprising the steps of:

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.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein:

the distal portion has a first lateral stiffness when the distal portion is assuming the first shape;

the distal portion has a second lateral stiffness when the distal portion is assuming the second shape; and

the second lateral stiffness is different from the first lateral stiffness.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the second lateral stiffness is greater than the first lateral stiffness.

20. A method of claim 17, wherein:

the distal portion has a first length when the distal portion is assuming the first shape;

the distal portion has a second length when the distal portion is assuming the second shape; and

the second length is different from the first length.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the second length is smaller than the first length.

22. The method of claim 17, further including the step of urging the intermediate portion of the stylet to assume a curved shape while the distal tip is disposed in the chamber of the heart.

23. The method of claim 17, further including the step of urging the intermediate portion of the stylet to assume a curved shape comprises the step of urging the intermediate portion of the stylet to assume a radius of curvature that aligns the distal tip of the stylet with an astium of a great vein of the heart.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein:

the intermediate portion has a first radius of curvature when the intermediate portion is assuming the first shape;

the intermediate portion has a second radius of curvature when the intermediate portion is assuming the second shape;

the second radius of curvature is greater than the first radius of curvature.

25. The method of claim 17, wherein the chamber is the right atrium of the heart.

26. A stylet 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; 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.

27. The sylet of claim 26, wherein the distal portion and the intermediate portion of the first wire fit within a right atrium of a human heart when the first wire assumes the second configuration.