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Steerable and aimable catheter

  • US 4,601,705 A
  • Filed: 05/03/1985
  • Issued: 07/22/1986
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/31/1983
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A catheter comprisingan elongated hollow tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end for insertion into the body,a core member within the distal end of the hollow tubular member,at least two temperature-activated memory elements within the distal end of the hollow tubular member, each memory element moving to assume a predetermined shape when heated to a predetermined temperature,coupling means for coupling one memory element to another memory element so that when the one memory element moves in a first direction to assume its predetermined shape a force is applied to move the other memory element in the first direction and when the other memory element moves in a second direction to assume its predetermined shape a force is applied to move the one memory element in the second direction, the coupling means including sleeve means for slidably coupling each memory element to the core member so that each memory element is permitted to slip in relation to the adjacent core member when at least one of the memory elements moves to assume its predetermined shape, andcontrol means for selectively heating each memory element to move at least one of the memory elements to assume its predetermined shape to deflect the distal end of the tubular member in a selected direction and to slide each memory element in relation to the adjacent core member so that the memory elements are able to move in slipping relation to the distal end of the core member, whereby maneuverability of the tubular member within the body toward a selected deflected position is increased.

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