Directional Anchoring Mechanism, Method and Applications Thereof
First Claim
1. A method for deploying and retaining a distal portion of a catheter within a biological conduit with a central axis of the distal portion of the catheter at a desired non-zero angle relative to a central axis of the conduit, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) introducing the catheter into the biological conduit;
(b) employing a steering mechanism at least temporarily associated with the distal portion of the catheter so as to deflect the distal portion of the catheter so that the central axis of the distal portion lies substantially at the desired non-zero angle relative to the central axis of the biological conduit; and
(c) actuating an anchoring mechanism at least temporarily associated with the distal portion of the catheter, the anchoring mechanism including at least one expandable element configured to grip internal surfaces of the biological conduit in such a manner as to retain the distal portion of the catheter at the desired angle within the biological conduit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An anchoring mechanism and method for anchoring a device within a biological conduit include an expandable element configured for retaining the device at a desired angle relative to a central axis of the biological conduit. A steering mechanism is preferably provided for orienting the device prior to operation of the anchoring mechanism. The anchoring mechanism and method are employed in drug delivery devices, brachytherapy devices or for anchoring a catheter or sheath to provide a working channel for reliable guidance of a wide range of tools to a target location within the body.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method for deploying and retaining a distal portion of a catheter within a biological conduit with a central axis of the distal portion of the catheter at a desired non-zero angle relative to a central axis of the conduit, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) introducing the catheter into the biological conduit; (b) employing a steering mechanism at least temporarily associated with the distal portion of the catheter so as to deflect the distal portion of the catheter so that the central axis of the distal portion lies substantially at the desired non-zero angle relative to the central axis of the biological conduit; and (c) actuating an anchoring mechanism at least temporarily associated with the distal portion of the catheter, the anchoring mechanism including at least one expandable element configured to grip internal surfaces of the biological conduit in such a manner as to retain the distal portion of the catheter at the desired angle within the biological conduit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An anchorable device for deployment within a biological conduit at any desired angle within a pre-defined range of angles relative to a central axis of the conduit, the device comprising:
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(a) a catheter arrangement including a catheter and a steering mechanism for deflecting a distal portion of said catheter, said distal portion of said catheter having an outer diameter and defining a device axis; and (b) an anchoring mechanism at least temporarily associated with said distal portion of said catheter, said anchoring mechanism including at least one expandable element which initially assumes a collapsed state having a first maximum diameter no more than 20 percent greater than said outer diameter of said distal portion and which is expandable to an anchoring state in which said anchoring mechanism provides a plurality of contact regions disposed substantially on an ellipsoid profile so as to anchor the distal portion of said catheter within the biological conduit with said device axis at any desired angle within a pre-defined range of angles relative to a central axis of the conduit, wherein said anchoring state of said anchoring mechanism exhibits a maximum radial dimension, and wherein a distance from a distal end of said distal portion of said catheter to said anchoring mechanism is no greater than said maximum radial dimension. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A drug delivery device for deployment within a biological conduit and for delivering a drug into tissue adjacent to the biological conduit, the device comprising:
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(a) a first compartment for receiving a fluid therapeutic substance; (b) a cannula deployable so as to project from the device, said cannula having an inlet in fluid communication with said first compartment; (c) a second compartment for receiving an osmotic solution, the second compartment having at least one water permeable region; and wherein said first compartment and said second compartment share a common displaceable wall such that absorption of water by said osmotic solution causes displacement of said displaceable wall so as to expel said fluid therapeutic substance from said first compartment along said cannula into the tissue. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30)
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Specification