Medical devices and systems
First Claim
1. A medical device, comprising:
- a control handle;
an insertion tube functionally connected to the control handle, the insertion tube including a channel extending lengthwise therethrough; and
a user-actuatable control feature for controlling at least one function of the medical device, the control feature including a stylet having a proximal end associated with the control handle and a free distal end associated with the insertion tube, the stylet being movably carried by the control handle along at least a portion of the channel, wherein the stylet is capable of deflecting a distal end of the insertion tube upon user input occurring at the control handle.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Several embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to medical visualization systems that comprise combinations of disposable and resuable components, such as catheters, functional handles, hubs, optical devices, etc. Other embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to features and aspects of an in-vivo visualization system that comprises an endoscope having a working channel through which a catheter having viewing capabilities is routed. The catheter may obtain viewing capabilities by being constructed as a vision catheter or by having a fiberscope or other viewing device selectively routed through one of its channels. The catheter is preferably of the steerable type so that the distal end of the catheter may be steered from its proximal end as it is advanced with the body. Some embodiments of the invention are directed to in-vivo visualization devices and systems comprising user-actuatable control features and steering devices. A suitable use for the in-vivo visualization system includes but is not limited to diagnosis and/or treatment of the duodenum, and particularly the biliary tree.
1526 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A medical device, comprising:
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a control handle;
an insertion tube functionally connected to the control handle, the insertion tube including a channel extending lengthwise therethrough; and
a user-actuatable control feature for controlling at least one function of the medical device, the control feature including a stylet having a proximal end associated with the control handle and a free distal end associated with the insertion tube, the stylet being movably carried by the control handle along at least a portion of the channel, wherein the stylet is capable of deflecting a distal end of the insertion tube upon user input occurring at the control handle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A medical system, comprising:
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a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, the catheter including at least one steering wire;
a control handle that includes a first opening in communication with a second opening, an attachment structure configured for selectively associating the control handle with a port of an associated endoscopic device, and a steering input device connected to the at least one steering wire for deflecting the distal end of the catheter; and
wherein the proximal end of the catheter is functionally connected to the control handle and the distal end of the catheter is inserted into the first opening of the control handle and exits the second opening of the control handle for insertion into the port of the associated endoscopic device when associated therewith. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A catheter assembly, comprising:
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a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end;
a steering wire attached to the distal end of the catheter and being axially movable relative to the catheter to cause the distal end of the catheter to deflect in at least one direction;
a handle housing functionally connected to the proximal end of the catheter at a connection interface, the proximal end of the at least one steering wire passing into the handle housing;
a first knob rotationally supported by the handle housing, the rotational axis of the knob being substantially parallel with the central axis of the catheter at its connection interface to the handle housing; and
a transmission connecting the at least one knob with the steering wire. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. An apparatus, comprising:
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a control handle;
an insertion tube having proximal and distal sections, the proximal section being functionally attached to the handle and the distal section being opposite the proximal section and being deflectable relative to the proximal section;
a steering wire attached to the distal section of the insertion tube and being axially movable relative to the insertion tube to cause the distal section of the insertion tube to deflect in at least one direction;
an input device movably carried by the handle and adapted to control deflection of the distal section, the input device being movable by a user relative to the handle during operation of the apparatus; and
a transmission connected at a first portion to the steering wire and connected at a second portion to the input device, the transmission being configured to transmit movement of the input device to the steering wire to cause axial movement of the steering wire for deflecting the distal end of the insertion tube, the transmission further configured for providing a distance multiplying effect in transmitting the movement of the input device to axial movement of the steering wire for deflection of the distal section. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification