Guidance system for vascular catheter or the like
First Claim
1. A steerable catheter for introduction into the vascular system of an animal comprising:
- a tubular member with a proximal and distal end and an inner and outer surface, the outer surface provided with an inflatable steering means, the inner surface defining a passage, the passage provided with a guide wire; and
a control means operably linked to the inflatable steering means for selectively inflating same, said control means inflating said inflatable steering means to align said tubular member toward a selected branch of the vascular system, said guide wire being directed through the passage into said selected branch of said vascular system and said tubular member being advanced over the guide wire into said selected branch of the vascular system.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A catheter for introduction into the vascular system of an animal is disclosed comprising: a tubular member with a proximal and distal end and an inner and outer surface, the outer surface provided with an inflatable steering means, the inner surface defining a passage, the passage provided with a guide wire; and a control means operably linked to the inflatable steering means for selectively inflating same, said control means inflating said inflatable steering means to align said tubular member toward a selected branch of the vascular system, said guide wire being directed through the passage into said selected branch of said vascular system and said tubular member being advanced over the guide wire into said selected branch of the vascular system.
247 Citations
18 Claims
-
1. A steerable catheter for introduction into the vascular system of an animal comprising:
- a tubular member with a proximal and distal end and an inner and outer surface, the outer surface provided with an inflatable steering means, the inner surface defining a passage, the passage provided with a guide wire; and
a control means operably linked to the inflatable steering means for selectively inflating same, said control means inflating said inflatable steering means to align said tubular member toward a selected branch of the vascular system, said guide wire being directed through the passage into said selected branch of said vascular system and said tubular member being advanced over the guide wire into said selected branch of the vascular system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
- a tubular member with a proximal and distal end and an inner and outer surface, the outer surface provided with an inflatable steering means, the inner surface defining a passage, the passage provided with a guide wire; and
-
17. A method of steering a catheter comprising the steps of:
-
(a) inserting a tubular member into a vascular system; (b) inflating an inflatable steering means provided on an outer surface of the tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end and an inner and an outer surface to deflect a catheter tip towards a desired direction in the vascular system; (c) directing a guide wire through a passage defined by the inner surface into the desired branch of the vascular system; and (d) advancing the tubular member over the guide wire into the desired branch of the vascular system. - View Dependent Claims (18)
-
Specification