Steerable catheter
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A steerable catheter comprising:
- an elongated catheter body having a proximal-to-distal axis, said body including a proximal shaft portion and a distal shaft portion that is more flexible than said proximal shaft portion, said proximal and distal shaft portions joining on another at a junction;
said junction being generally oblique to said proximal-to-distal axis so that said proximal shaft portion terminates at an apex on a first side of said catheter and at a base on a second side diametrically opposite to said first side, said base being proximal to said apex.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A steerable catheter has a steering portion incorporating a spear cut junction of catheter material, thereby providing for a gradual change in flexibility in the steering portion. A guide tube and spring may be located inside a pull wire lumen of the catheter, with the spring distal to the guide tube so that the spring is disposed at least partially within steering section. A steering mechanism moves the pull wire linearly in order to steer the catheter.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A steerable catheter comprising:
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an elongated catheter body having a proximal-to-distal axis, said body including a proximal shaft portion and a distal shaft portion that is more flexible than said proximal shaft portion, said proximal and distal shaft portions joining on another at a junction;
said junction being generally oblique to said proximal-to-distal axis so that said proximal shaft portion terminates at an apex on a first side of said catheter and at a base on a second side diametrically opposite to said first side, said base being proximal to said apex. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A steering catheter comprising:
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an elongated catheter body having a pull wire lumen;
a guide tube;
a coil spring; and
a pull wire;
said guide tube and said spring being located inside said lumen;
said spring being distal to said guide tube; and
said pull wire running through said guide tube and said coil spring. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A steerable catheter unit, comprising:
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a housing;
a catheter body having a main portion projecting in a distal direction from said housing;
a flexible guide tube extending in said main portion of said catheter body, said guide tube having a proximal section projecting out of said catheter body;
a pull wire slidably disposed within said guide tube, said pull wire having a distal end extending distally from said guide tube and connected to said catheter, said pull wire having a proximal end extending proximally from said guide tube;
an outer movement element movably mounted on an outside of said housing;
an inner movement element disposed in said housing and connected to said proximal end of said pull wire, said inner movement element being in telescopic relation to said proximal end of said guide tube, said inner movement element being linked to said outer movement element so that said inner movement element and said pull wire can be moved proximally by moving said outer movement element. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification