FLEXIBLE TISSUE-PENETRATION INSTRUMENT WITH BLUNT TIP ASSEMBLY AND METHODS FOR PENETRATING TISSUE
First Claim
1. A tissue-penetration instrument comprising:
- a substantially flexible elongate penetration member having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end having a substantially blunt tissue penetrating tip thereon;
an axial passage through said substantially flexible elongate penetration member and said substantially blunt tissue penetrating tip thereof for accommodating at least one guide member therethrough; and
an elongate hollow support tube having a passage extending therethrough sized to movably support a portion of said substantially flexible elongate penetration member therein and prevent buckling thereof as at least one motion is applied to said distal end of said substantially flexible elongate penetration member, said elongate hollow support tube sized to extend through a working channel of an endo scope.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A tissue-penetrating instrument. In various exemplary embodiments, the instrument may comprise a substantially flexible elongate penetration member that has a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end may have a substantially blunt tissue penetrating tip thereon. The instrument may further include an elongate hollow support tube that has a passage extending therethrough that is sized to movably support a portion of the substantially flexible elongate member therein and prevent buckling thereof as at least one motion is applied to the distal end of the substantially flexible elongate member. The elongate hollow support tube may be sized to extend through a working channel of an endoscope. Methods of using such instruments to perform surgical procedures by inserting the instrument through a natural body lumen are also disclosed.
187 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A tissue-penetration instrument comprising:
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a substantially flexible elongate penetration member having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end having a substantially blunt tissue penetrating tip thereon; an axial passage through said substantially flexible elongate penetration member and said substantially blunt tissue penetrating tip thereof for accommodating at least one guide member therethrough; and an elongate hollow support tube having a passage extending therethrough sized to movably support a portion of said substantially flexible elongate penetration member therein and prevent buckling thereof as at least one motion is applied to said distal end of said substantially flexible elongate penetration member, said elongate hollow support tube sized to extend through a working channel of an endo scope. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 25)
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11. (canceled)
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13. A tissue-penetration instrument comprising:
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a substantially flexible elongate penetration member having a proximal end and a distal end; a control knob on said proximal end of said substantially flexible elongate penetration member to enable axial and rotational motions to be applied thereto; a blunt tissue-penetrating tip assembly coupled to said distal end of said substantially flexible elongate penetration member, wherein said substantially flexible elongate penetration member, said control knob, and said blunt tissue-penetrating tip assembly each have an opening therethrough to define an axial passage for accommodating at least one guide member therethrough; and an elongate hollow support tube having a passage extending therethrough sized to movably support a portion of said substantially flexible elongate penetration member therein and prevent buckling thereof as at least one of said axial and rotational motions is applied to said control knob. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method for penetrating tissue comprising:
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inserting a substantially flexible dissection device through a body lumen; piercing partially through a portion of tissue with the dissection device to form a partial penetration in the tissue; inserting a substantially flexible tissue-penetration member having a substantially blunt tissue penetrating tip through the body lumen such that the blunt tissue penetrating tip is positioned within the partial penetration formed in the tissue; and applying at least one motion to the tissue-penetration member to cause the blunt tissue penetration tip to completely penetrate through the tissue. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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Specification