TELESCOPE FOR AN IMAGING CATHETER

• US 20090156941A1
• Filed: 12/16/2008
• Published: 06/18/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ACIST Medical Systems Incorporated (Bracco SPA)
• Original Assignee: Silicon Valley Medical Instruments, Inc.
• Inventors: Moore, Thomas C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,062,226 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/467
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0062 Arrangements for scanning
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0084 for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters A61B5/1459 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02007 Evaluating blood vessel condition, e.g. elasticity, compliance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/12 in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters catheters per se A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/445 Details of catheter construction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4461 Features of the scanning mechanism, e.g. for moving the transducer within the housing of the probe

Abstract

A catheter has a proximal end and a distal end and comprises an outer tube having a proximal end, an inner sheath slidingly received within the outer tube and extending distally from the outer tube, and a rotatable shaft extending from the proximal end of the outer tube to within the inner sheath. The rotatable shaft is axially fixed with respect to the outer tube and axially moveable within and with respect to the inner sheath. The rotatable shaft includes a proximal substantially rigid section and a distal flexible section. The catheter further includes a working element carried on the distal flexible section of the rotatable shaft.

Claims

1. A catheter having a proximal end and a distal end comprising:

an outer tube having a proximal end;

an inner sheath slidingly received within the outer tube and extending distally from the outer tube;

a rotatable shaft extending from the proximal end of the outer tube to within the inner sheath, the rotatable shaft being axially fixed with respect to the outer tube and axially moveable within and with respect to the inner sheath, the rotatable shaft including a proximal substantially rigid section and a distal flexible section; and

a working element carried on the distal flexible section of the rotatable shaft.

2. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the proximal rigid section of the rotatable shaft is comprised of a biocompatible material.

3. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the proximal rigid section of the rotatable shaft is comprised of stainless steel.

4. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the outer tube has a distal end sealingly engaged with the inner sheath, and wherein the rigid section of the rotatable shaft and the flexible section of the rotatable shaft are joined at a joint substantially adjacent the distal end of the outer tube.

5. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the inner sheath has a proximal portion and wherein the catheter further includes a substantially rigid cover extending over the proximal portion of the inner sheath.

6. The catheter of claim 5, wherein the substantially rigid cover is formed of a biocompatible material.

7. The catheter of claim 5, wherein the substantially rigid cover is formed of stainless steel.

8. The catheter of claim 1, further including a seal that provides a fluid seal between the inner sheath and the outer tube.

9. The catheter of claim 8, wherein the outer tube has a distal end and wherein the seal is at the distal end of the outer tube.

10. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the working element comprises a transducer.

11. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the working element comprises an optical element.