Deformable and removable sheath for optical catheter

• US 5,197,457 A
• Filed: 02/04/1992
• Issued: 03/30/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Edwin L. Adair
• Original Assignee: Edwin L. Adair
• Inventors: Adair, Edwin L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yasko, John D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cermak, Adam
• Application Number:
  US07/831,071
• Time in Patent Office: 420 Days
• Field of Search: 604/51, 604/54, 604/55, 604/158, 604/164, 604/165, 604/170, 604/282, 128/4-11, 128/656-658, 128/772, 128/4 A, 128/4 SM
• US Class Current: 600/104
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00135 Oversleeves mounted on the endoscope prior to insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/01 Guiding arrangements therefore
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/306 using optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0266 Shape memory materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/01 Introducing, guiding, advancing, emplacing or holding catheters A61M25/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0105 Steering means as part of the catheter or advancing means; Markers for positioning systems for detection of markers A61B
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0279 Cannula; Nozzles; Tips; their connection means

Abstract

A deformable sheath for an optical catheter is provided which includes an elongated, deformable hollow body having a normal predetermined shape which is compatible with its intended use in situ in a passageway in the patient. The body has a distal end and a proximate end with a plurality of channels extending therebetween. An optical catheter extends through one of the channels in the body, having a distal end aligned with the distal end of the body and a proximate end extending outwardly beyond the proximate end of the body, the catheter assuming the normal shape of the body. A substantially rigid guide wire is provided which is extendable through a second of the channels to straighten the body during insertion of the sheath into a passageway within the patient. This guide wire is removable from the body after insertion so that the body resumes its normal predetermined shape. The sheath can include a third channel for insertion of a laser fiber of laser lithotripsy or an electrohydraulic probe to fracture stones. A lock coupler is attached to the proximate end of the body for attachment to a fitting to properly align and connect the sheath and its catheter and other instruments with external instrumentation.

Claims

1. Apparatus having a deformable and removable sheath, for use with an optical catheter wherein said sheath with a catheter therein is to be positioned in a passageway leading to a body cavity of a patient for observation and/or treatment, said apparatus comprising:

an elongated, deformable, hollow body forming said sheath and having a normal predetermined shape which is compatible with its intended use in situ, said body having a distal end, a proximate end and a plurality of channels extending from said proximate end to said distal end;

an optical catheter extendable through a first of said channels in said body, having a distal end aligned with said distal end of said body and a proximate end extending outwardly beyond said proximate end of said body, said catheter assuming the normal shape of said body;

a substantially rigid guide wire extendable through a second of said channels to straighten said body during insertion of said sheath in the passageway of the patient and removable from said body after insertion so that said body resumes its normal predetermined shape in the passageway;

a third channel for insertion of additional instruments; and

a lock coupler attached to said proximate end of said body for attachment to a fitting to properly align and connect said sheath and its catheter and the additional instruments with external instrumentation.

2. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lock coupler includes:

a central opening for receiving the catheter; and

a side opening for receiving the guide wire.

3. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said guide wire comprises;

a long, slender, substantially rigid body, having a distal end and a proximate end, receivable in said sheath body; and

a handle attached to said proximate end of said guide wire body to aid in inserting and withdrawing said guide wire from said sheath.

4. A method of using an optical catheter in successive investigative and/or operative procedures, said method comprising the steps of:

inserting a flexible optical catheter into an elongated sheath;

inserting the sheath with the catheter in place therein into a passageway in the body of the patient;

causing the sheath to assume a desired shape or orientation to properly position the catheter;

conducting an investigative and/or operative procedure;

removing the used sheath with the catheter in place therein from the passageway in the body of the patient;

removing the catheter from the used sheath; and

disposing of the used sheath.

5. A method, as claimed in claim 4, including the further steps of:

inserting the catheter in a new sheath; and

repeating the steps of claim 4.

6. A method of using an optical catheter in successive investigative and/or operative procedures, said method comprising the steps of:

inserting a stiff wire into a flexible, elongated sheath, which has a predetermined curved shape which conforms to a specific passageway in the body of a patient, to straighten the sheath;

inserting a flexible optical catheter into the sheath along side of the wire;

inserting the sheath with the wire and catheter in place therein into a passageway in the body of a patient having the same shape as the predetermined curve of the sheath;

removing the wire from the sheath so that the sheath and the catheter therein return to the predetermined shape of the sheath which now conforms with the shape of the passageway;

conducting an investigative and/or operative procedure;

removing the used sheath with the catheter in place therein from the passageway in the body of the patient;

removing the catheter from the used sheath; and

disposing of the used sheath.

7. A method, as claimed in claim 6, including the further steps of:

inserting the catheter in a new sheath; and

repeating the steps of claim 6.