STEERABLE AND CONTROLLABLE MEDICAL LASER FIBERS

• US 20140005647A1
• Filed: 02/20/2013
• Published: 01/02/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mark G. Fontenot, Samuel H. Shuffler
• Original Assignee: Mark G. Fontenot
• Inventors: SHUFFLER, Samuel H., FONTENOT, Mark G.
• Granted Patent: US 10,478,251 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/24 with a catheter A61B18/26, A61B18/28 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/2238 with means for selectively laterally deflecting the tip of the fibre
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/015 Details of the distal fixation of the movable mechanical means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0108 using radio-opaque or ultrasound markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0136 Handles therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0147 with movable mechanical means, e.g. pull wires
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/10 Balloon catheters A61M25/0125 takes precedence; embolectomy A61B17/22032; retractors A61B17/02; inflatable balloons for placing stents or stent-grafts A61F2/958 ; stomach balloons for treatment of obesity A61F5/0003; oesophagal tubes A61J15/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 Electrical device making

Abstract

A device includes a catheter section comprising a flexible joint region disposed between a distal end and a proximal end. The device includes a laser fiber disposed within the catheter section. The laser fiber emits laser light at a fiber distal end. The device includes a wire comprising a distal end coupled to the catheter section. The wire is configured to move the distal end of the catheter section from a first position to a second position about the flexible joint region.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a catheter section comprising a flexible joint region disposed between a distal end and a proximal end;

a laser fiber disposed within the catheter section, wherein the laser fiber emits laser light at a fiber distal end; and

a wire comprising a distal end coupled to the catheter section, wherein the wire is configured to move the distal end of the catheter section from a first position to a second position about the flexible joint region.

2. The device of claim 1, comprising a first lumen disposed within the catheter section, wherein the first lumen comprises an open distal end at the proximal end of the catheter section, wherein the wire is configured to be pushed and pulled through the first lumen along a longitudinal axis of the wire.

3. The device of claim 2, comprising a second lumen disposed within the catheter section adjacent the first lumen, wherein the laser fiber is deployed via the second lumen.

4. The device of claim 1, comprising a guidewire.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the guidewire is deployed via the second lumen.

6. The device of claim 4, comprising a guidewire lumen disposed within the catheter section adjacent the first lumen, wherein the guidewire is deployed via the guidewire lumen.

7. The device of claim 4, wherein the guidewire has at least one of a variable stiffness along its length and a stepped diameter along its length.

8. The device of claim 1, comprising a radio-opaque band fixed to the catheter section.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the distal end of the wire is secured to the radio-opaque band.

10. The device of claim 1, comprising an inflatable member.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the flexible joint region is distal of the inflatable member.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein the flexible joint region is disposed within the inflatable member.

13. The device of claim 10, wherein the flexible joint region is proximal of the inflatable member.

14. The device of claim 10, wherein the inflatable member comprises at least one of elastomer, thermoplastic polymer, silicone rubber, latex rubber, natural rubber, butadiene-based co-polymer, EPDM, polyvinyl chloride, complex co-polymer, styrene-ethylene butylene-styrene co-polymer, polyethylene, polypropylene, and Nylon.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein the flexible joint region comprises a coil member.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the coil member includes a section comprising a pitch that is larger than adjacent coil pitches.

17. The device of claim 1, wherein the flexible joint region comprises a braid.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the braid comprises a section with a pic that is larger than adjacent pics.

19. The device of claim 1, wherein the flexible joint region comprises a polymer that is relatively softer than at least one adjacent polymer.

20. The device of claim 1, wherein the flexible joint region comprises a wall thickness that is relatively thinner than at least one adjacent wall thickness.

21. A method comprising:

forming a catheter section to include a flexible joint region disposed between a distal end and a proximal end;

housing a laser fiber within the catheter section, wherein the laser fiber emits laser light at a fiber distal end; and

housing a wire in the catheter section and coupling a distal end of the wire to the catheter section, wherein the wire is configured to move the distal end of the catheter section from a first position to a second position about the flexible joint region.