Catheter steerable by directional jets with remotely controlled closures
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A steerable catheter, comprising:
- an elongate catheter body having proximal and distal ends, a longitudinal axis and a cylindrical side wall;
a lumen extending the length of said catheter body;
at least one radial port at the distal end of said catheter body in said catheter body in said cylindrical side wall, said radial port communicating said lumen with the exterior of said catheter body;
at least one closure mounted to said catheter body at said distal end, said closure positioned to engage said radial port, said closure constructed to be driven by a signal selected from the group consisting of a fluid pressure signal and an electrical signal, said signal transmitted along the length of said catheter body from said proximal end; and
signal transmission means for transmitting signals capable of driving said closure to said closure from said proximal end of said catheter body to effect opening and closing of said radial port.
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Abstract
A catheter is provided with a directional steering capability by one or more jets ejecting fluid from the distal end of the catheter in a radial direction which causes the catheter tip to bend in the opposite direction by reaction force. Actuation of the jet is controlled by a closure valve at the jet orifice, the closure valve being driven by a signal transmitted from the proximal end of the catheter. Preferred signals are either fluid pressure signals or electrical signals.
80 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A steerable catheter, comprising:
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an elongate catheter body having proximal and distal ends, a longitudinal axis and a cylindrical side wall; a lumen extending the length of said catheter body; at least one radial port at the distal end of said catheter body in said catheter body in said cylindrical side wall, said radial port communicating said lumen with the exterior of said catheter body; at least one closure mounted to said catheter body at said distal end, said closure positioned to engage said radial port, said closure constructed to be driven by a signal selected from the group consisting of a fluid pressure signal and an electrical signal, said signal transmitted along the length of said catheter body from said proximal end; and signal transmission means for transmitting signals capable of driving said closure to said closure from said proximal end of said catheter body to effect opening and closing of said radial port. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification