Steerable catheter devices and methods of articulating catheter devices

• US 20070100235A1
• Filed: 10/27/2006
• Published: 05/03/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cook Medical Incorporated (Cook Group Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Wilson-Cook Medical Incorporated (Cook Group Incorporated)
• Inventors: Kennedy, Kenneth
• Granted Patent: US 7,608,056 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/434
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0051 with controlled bending of insertion part
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/003 Steerable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/481 involving the use of contrast agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/504 for diagnosis of blood vessels, e.g. by angiography
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0105 Steering means as part of the catheter or advancing means; Markers for positioning systems for detection of markers A61B
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0136 Handles therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0141 having flexible regions as a result of using materials with different mechanical properties
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0155 with hydraulic or pneumatic means, e.g. balloons or inflatable compartments

Abstract

Steerable catheter devices are provided having a proximal first end portion, an elongate intermediate portion, and a distal flexible second end portion defining a longitudinal axis, and at least one channel having a proximal opening and terminating at an occluded distal end radially offset relative to the central longitudinal axis and positioned within the catheter flexible second end portion substantially straight in a relaxed position and bent when the occluded distal end is under a change in internal fluid pressure. Optionally, the catheter further has a dye injection lumen and a tool receiving passageway extending from the first end portion to the second end portion. The occluded distal end is axially elastically distensible under an internal fluid pressure to deflect (thereby to steer) the catheter second end portion through the tortuous path of a vessel passageway when used percutaneously or working channel of an endoscope or endoscope accessory device.

Claims

1. A steerable catheter, comprising:

a catheter having a proximal first end portion, an elongate intermediate portion, a flexible distal second end portion articulatable from a relaxed position to a bending position, and a substantially central longitudinal axis extending from the first end portion to the flexible distal second end portion, the flexible distal second end portion further comprising an outer circumference relative to the central longitudinal axis;

a dye injection lumen comprising a proximal end opening located at the catheter first end portion and a distal end opening located at the catheter second end portion;

an elongate chamber body having a proximal opening at or near the catheter proximal first end portion and terminating at an elastically fluid-distensible occluded distal end positioned within the catheter flexible distal second end portion and defining a longitudinal fluid channel that extends longitudinally between and in communication with the chamber body proximal opening and the chamber body occluded distal end, the chamber body occluded distal end being radially offset relative to the central longitudinal axis; and

wherein the elongate chamber body occluded distal end is configured to elastically distend axially under a change in internal fluid pressure without substantially changing the catheter flexible distal end portion outer circumference and thereby articulate the catheter flexible second end portion from the relaxed position to the bending position.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising a tool receiving passageway disposed within the catheter and extending from a first end opening at or near the catheter first end portion to a second end opening at or near the catheter second end portion, the passageway being substantially coaxial with the central longitudinal axis at the catheter flexible distal second end portion.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the second end opening of the tool receiving passageway is coaxial with the central longitudinal axis and oriented longitudinally directed toward a space distally exterior to the second end portion substantially along the longitudinal axis.

4. The device of claim 2 wherein the passageway at the second end opening further comprises a radial compression resistant inner reinforcement inhibiting radial inward expansion by the chamber body occluded distal end under the change in internal pressure.

5. The device of claim 1 further comprising a radial expansion resistant outer reinforcement disposed about the outer circumference of the flexible distal second end portion.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein the radial expansion resistant outer reinforcement is a coil wound around the second end portion outer circumference, the coil including a plurality of turns and spacings between the turns of the coil.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the flexible distal second end portion tapers distally.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the flexible distal second end portion comprises an anisotropic material.

9. The device of claim 1 further comprising a second elongate chamber body terminating at a second elastically fluid-distensible occluded distal end radially offset relative to the central longitudinal axis and the first elastically fluid-distensible occluded distal end.

10. The device of claim 9 further comprising at least a third elongate chamber body terminating at a third elastically fluid-distensible occluded distal end radially offset relative to the central longitudinal axis and the first and second elastically fluid-distensible occluded distal ends.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein the chamber body proximal opening is operably coupled to a fluid actuator disposed at or near the catheter proximal first end portion.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein the fluid actuator further comprises an actuation mechanism selected from the group consisting of mechanically operated elements, electronically operated elements, electromechanically operated elements, pneumatically operated elements, hydraulically operated elements, piezoelectrically operated elements, thermomechanically, chemomechanically operated elements, and photoelectrically operated elements.

13. A steerable catheter assembly comprising:

a catheter having an elongated intermediate portion extending between a proximal first end portion and a distal flexible second end portion having a flexible steerable distal tip portion, the first and second end portions defining a central longitudinal axis, the flexible second end portion having a first outer diameter and the steerable distal tip portion having a second outer diameter that is smaller than the first outer diameter;

a plurality of elongate chamber bodies arranged about the longitudinal axis, each of the plurality of elongate chamber bodies having a proximal opening located at or near the catheter first end portion and terminating at an elastically fluid-distensible occluded distal end positioned within the flexible steerable distal tip portion, the proximal opening and distensible occluded distal end defining a longitudinal fluid flow channel that extends longitudinally between and in communication with the chamber body proximal opening and the chamber body occluded distal end, the at least one fluid flow channel chamber being configured to transmit fluid to the elongate chamber body occluded distal end, the occluded distal end portion being radially offset relative to the catheter central longitudinal axis; and

a fluid flow actuator operatively coupled at or near the catheter first end portion in communication with at least one of the proximal openings of at least one of the plurality of fluid flow channels, the fluid flow actuator configured to control fluid supply to the at least one fluid flow channel to the elongate chamber body occluded distal end,

wherein the elongate chamber body occluded distal end is configured to elastically distend axially under a change in internal fluid pressure without substantially changing the catheter flexible steering tip portion outer diameter and thereby configured to articulate the catheter flexible steering tip portion from a relaxed position to a bending position in response to a change of fluid pressure.

14. The device of claim 13 further comprising a radial expansion resistant outer reinforcement positioned circumferentially about the steerable distal tip portion and configured to allow the axial distension of the occluded distal end without substantial outward radial expansion of the occluded distal end.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein the radial expansion resistant outer reinforcement is selected from the group consisting of a coil, spring, wire, fiber, mesh, increased durometric material relative to the chamber body occluded distal end, anisotropic material, and a slotted cannula.

16. The device of claim 13 further comprising a dye injection lumen comprising a proximal opening located at or near the catheter first end portion and a distal end opening located at or near the catheter steering tip portion.

17. The device of claim 13 further comprising a tool receiving passageway disposed within the catheter and extending from a first opening at or near the catheter first end portion and a second opening at the steering tip portion, the passageway being substantially coaxial with the central longitudinal axis at the steering tip portion.

18. A method of steering a catheter assembly, comprising the steps of:

providing a catheter having a first end, an elongate intermediate portion, and a flexible second end defining a central longitudinal axis, a dye injection lumen, a tool receiving passageway, a plurality of elongate chamber bodies each having a proximal opening at or near the catheter first end and terminating at an axially distensible occluded distal end within the catheter flexible second end defining a fluid flow channel radially offset relative to the central longitudinal axis, the occluded distal end being substantially straight in a relaxed position and bent under a change in internal fluid pressure;

providing a fluid actuator capable of actuating a supply of fluid;

operatively coupling the fluid actuator at or near the catheter first end in communication with at least one of the proximal openings of at least one of the plurality of chamber bodies;

operating the fluid actuator to control the fluid supply within the occluded distal end; and

selectively articulating the flexible second end in response to a change in fluid pressure within the occluded distal end.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the selectively articulating step comprises supplying fluid into the chamber body proximal opening, through the fluid flow channel, and into the axially distensible occluded distal end to create a positive pressure in the occluded distal end and thereby axially distend distally the occluded distal end so as to articulate the catheter flexible second end portion from the relaxed position to the bending position.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein the selectively articulating step comprises aspirating fluid from the chamber body proximal opening, the fluid flow channel, and the distensible occluded distal end to create a negative pressure in the occluded distal end and thereby axially shorten proximally the occluded distal end so as to articulate the catheter flexible second end portion from the relaxed position to the bending position.

21. The method of claim 18 further comprising the step of providing a radial compression resistant inner reinforcement in the passageway at or near the second end opening for inhibiting radial inward expansion by the chamber body occluded distal end under the change in internal pressure.

22. The method of claim 18 further comprising the step of disposing a radial expansion resistant outer reinforcement about an outer circumference of the flexible distal second end portion.