Shapeable or Steerable Guide Sheaths and Methods for Making and Using Them
First Claim
1. An apparatus for providing access to a body lumen, comprising:
- a tubular member comprising a proximal end, a distal end sized for insertion into a body lumen, a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends;
an elongate member extending from the distal end of the tubular member, the elongate member terminating in a distal tip, the elongate member comprising a distal portion biased to assume a first nonlinear shape;
an expandable sheath extending along at least a portion of the elongate member, the sheath being expandable from a contracted condition to minimize a profile of the sheath to allow insertion along with the elongate member into a body lumen, and an enlarged condition wherein the sheath at least partially defines a lumen communicating with the tubular member lumen; and
an elongate element insertable into the distal portion of the elongate member for changing a shape of the distal portion.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and methods are provided for providing access to a body lumen, e.g., to deliver a pacing lead within a patient'"'"'s heart. The apparatus includes a tubular member including a proximal end, a distal end sized for insertion into a body lumen, and a lumen extending therebetween. An elongate member extends from the distal end of the tubular member. An expandable sheath extends along at least a portion of the elongate member, the sheath being expandable from a contracted condition to facilitate insertion into a body lumen, and an enlarged condition wherein the sheath at least partially defines a lumen communicating with the tubular member lumen. A stylet or other shaped element is insertable into the elongate member for changing a shape of at least a distal tip of the elongate member, e.g., for accessing side branches extending from a body lumen, e.g., within a patient'"'"'s coronary venous system.
57 Citations
11 Claims
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1. An apparatus for providing access to a body lumen, comprising:
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a tubular member comprising a proximal end, a distal end sized for insertion into a body lumen, a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends; an elongate member extending from the distal end of the tubular member, the elongate member terminating in a distal tip, the elongate member comprising a distal portion biased to assume a first nonlinear shape; an expandable sheath extending along at least a portion of the elongate member, the sheath being expandable from a contracted condition to minimize a profile of the sheath to allow insertion along with the elongate member into a body lumen, and an enlarged condition wherein the sheath at least partially defines a lumen communicating with the tubular member lumen; and an elongate element insertable into the distal portion of the elongate member for changing a shape of the distal portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method for accessing a side branch of a body lumen using an apparatus including a tubular proximal portion and an expandable distal portion, the distal portion comprising an expandable sheath, the method comprising:
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advancing the distal portion into a patient'"'"'s body to access a first location within a body lumen; advancing a stylet into the distal portion to change a shape of the distal portion to a nonlinear shape; accessing a branch extending from the first location using the distal portion in the nonlinear shape; and advancing the distal portion into the branch to access a target location. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification