Catheter tip and method of manufacturing

• US 5,630,794 A
• Filed: 09/23/1994
• Issued: 05/20/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Vidamed, Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Vidamed, Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Lax, Ronald G., Baker, James A.
• Primary Examiner(s): MENDEZ, MANUEL A
• Application Number:
  US08/311,090
• Time in Patent Office: 970 Days
• Field of Search: 604/19-22, 604/53, 604/164, 604/280, 606/39, 606/45, 607/96, 607/98-102, 607/113-116, 607/138, 607/156, 601/2
• US Class Current: 604/22
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/02 Instruments for taking cell samples or for biopsy A61B10/0038 and A61B10/0045 take precedence; needle locating or guiding means A61B17/3403; samplers for enzymology or microbiology C12M1/26; sampling or preparing biological specimens G01N33/48
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0241 for prostate
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/00 Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body eye surgery A61F9/007; ear surgery A61F11/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/14 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1477 Needle-like probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/148 having a short, rigid shaft for accessing the inner body transcutaneously, e.g. for neurosurgery or arthroscopy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1485 having a short rigid shaft for accessing the inner body through natural openings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/18 by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves radiation therapy A61N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1815 using microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/24 with a catheter A61B18/26, A61B18/28 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00084 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00092 using thermocouples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00106 ultrasonic
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00274 Prostate operation, e.g. prostatectomy, turp, bhp treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00292 mounted on or guided by flexible, e.g. catheter-like, means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/003 Steerable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00867 shape memory effect
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22072 with an instrument channel, e.g. for replacing one instrument by the other
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22077 with a part piercing the tissue A61B2017/22044 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22082 after introduction of a substance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/248 : Operations for treatment of snoring, e.g. uvulopalatoplasty
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2939 : Details of linkages or pivot points
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3488 : Fixation to inner organ or inner body tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00005 : Cooling or heating of the probe or tissue immediately surrounding the probe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00011 : with fluids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00083 : low, i.e. electrically insulating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00095 : high, i.e. heat conducting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00196 : reciprocating lengthwise
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0022 : Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00547 : Prostate
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00577 : Ablation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00678 : upper
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00702 : Power or energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00726 : Duty cycle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00744 : Fluid flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00761 : Duration
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00791 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00797 : measured by multiple temperature sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00821 : measured by a thermocouple
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00886 : Duration
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0091 : Handpieces of the surgical instrument or device
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00916 : with means for switching or controlling the main function of the instrument or device
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00946 : slidable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00982 : combined with or comprising means for visual or photographic inspections inside the body, e.g. endoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1253 : monopolar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/126 : bipolar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1273 : including multiple generators in one device
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/128 : generating two or more frequencies
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1412 : Blade
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1425 : Needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/2238 : with means for selectively laterally deflecting the tip of the fibre
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0814 : Preventing re-use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3614 : using optical fibre
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3782 : transmitter or receiver in catheter or minimal invasive instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3925 : ultrasonic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0054 : with a closed fluid circuit, e.g. hot water
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0086 : the needles having bent tips, i.e. the needle distal tips are angled in relation to the longitudinal axis of the catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0087 : Multiple injection needles protruding laterally from the distal tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0096 : being laterally outward extensions or tools, e.g. hooks or fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/018 : Catheters having a lateral opening for guiding elongated means lateral to the catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/001 : Forming the tip of a catheter, e.g. bevelling process, join or taper
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0068 : Static characteristics of the catheter tip, e.g. shape, atraumatic tip, curved tip or tip structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0069 : Tip not integral with tube
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0071 : Multiple separate lumens multiple separate lumens throughout the catheter A61M25/0026
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0279 : Cannula; Nozzles; Tips; their connection means
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/06 : for high-frequency therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/40 : Applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling microwave apparatus A61N5/00; Applying radio-frequency signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/403 : for thermotherapy, e.g. hyperthermia
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/04 : Radiators for near-field treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/045 : specially adapted for treatment inside the body

Abstract

A medical device having a unique tip has been described. Furthermore, a process of manufacturing the unique tip is described. The medical device of this invention penetrates tissues within a body cavity and precisely reaches the selected target to deliver energy or substance to the tissue.

Claims

1. A medical device comprising an elongate probe member having proximal and distal extremities and having a passageway therein extending from the proximal extremity to the distal extremity along a longitudinal axis, a stylet mounted in the elongate probe member and having proximal and distal extremities, control means mounted on the proximal extremity of the elongate probe member, means mounted on the proximal extremity of the elongate probe member and connected to the control means and connected to the stylet for causing advancement of the stylet through the passageway, a stylet guide housing mounted on the distal extremity of the elongate probe member and having an outer surface with a port therein, a tubular member defining a lumen in communication with the passageway and extending through the stylet guide housing in a curved path to the port for slidably receiving the stylet and causing the distal extremity of the stylet to be advanced from the stylet guide housing sidewise at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis.

2. A device of claim 1 wherein the stylet guide housing includes a first section having an axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tip, a second section having an axis at a predefined angle with the longitudinal axis, and a curved section extending to one side of the longitudinal axis and attached between the first and second section.

3. A device of claim 1 wherein the stylet guide housing is further provided with an optical lumen extending along the longitudinal axis.

4. A device of claim 3 wherein the optical lumen tapers as it extends distally.

5. A device of claim 1 together with a temperature sensor carried within the stylet guide housing.

6. A device of claim 1 wherein the stylet guide housing is made from a plastic having a hardness and the tubular member is made from a material having a hardness which is greater than the hardness of the plastic.

7. A device of claim 6 wherein the tubular member is made from metal.

8. A device of claim 7 wherein the tubular member is made from stainless steel.

9. A device of claim 6 wherein the stylet guide housing is made from injection molded polycarbonate.

10. A device of claim 1 wherein the stylet includes a conductive radio frequency electrode with a sharpened tip and an insulating sleeve coaxially mounted on the conductive radio frequency electrode.

11. A device of claim 10 wherein the insulating sleeve is slidably mounted on the conductive radio frequency electrode.

12. A device of claim 1 wherein the stylet guide housing has a rounded distal end.

13. A device of claim 12 wherein the stylet guide housing is bullet-shaped.

14. A medical probe device having a catheter comprising:

a control end and a probe end, the probe end comprising a tip including proximal and distal ends;

a first shell having a first inside surface;

a second shell complementarily engaging the first shell and having a second inside surface;

at least one stylet port defined on a side thereof; and

at least one stylet guide engaging said first and second surfaces and extending from the proximal end of the tip and terminating at said at least one stylet port, the stylet guide comprising a tube extending from the proximal end of the tip to the at least one stylet port.

15. A device of claim 14 wherein said first shell comprises proximal and distal ends and inside and outside surfaces;

at least one first tube section attached to its inside surface and extending from the proximal end to a first point between the proximal and distal ends;

means defining a second tube section attached to the inside surface of the second shell, said means extending from the first point to a second point between the proximal and distal ends of the first shell; and

a third tube positioned between the inside and outside surfaces, the third tube being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first shell and extending from the proximal end to a point adjacent the distal end of the second shell.

16. A device of claim 15 wherein the third tube defines an optical lumen.

17. A device of claim 15 further comprising a temperature sensing probe extending through the second tube section and terminating near the distal end of the first shell.

21. A device of claim 17 wherein the optical lumen extends between the proximal and distal end portions of the body.

22. A device of claim 21 wherein the optical lumen tapers as it extends distally.

18. A stylet guide housing for use with a catheter shaft having proximal and distal extremities and a passageway therein extending from the proximal extremity to the distal extremity along a longitudinal axis, a stylet slidably mounted in the passageway of the catheter shaft and having proximal and distal extremities, comprising a body having proximal and distal end portions and a smooth outer surface with a port therein, means carried by the proximal end portion adapted for mounting the body on the distal extremity of the catheter shaft, a tubular member defining a lumen in communication with the passageway and extending through the stylet guide housing in a curved path to the port for slidably receiving the stylet and causing the distal extremity of the stylet to be advanced from the stylet guide housing sidewise at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis, the tubular member being made from metal for facilitating advancement of the stylet through the curved path.

19. A device of claim 18 wherein the tubular member includes a first section having an axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tip;

a second section having an axis at a predefined angle with the longitudinal axis; and

a curved section extending to one side of the longitudinal axis and attached between the first and second sections.

20. A device of claim 18 wherein the body is provided with an optical lumen extending therethrough.

23. A device of claim 18 together with a temperature sensor carried by the body.

24. A device of claim 18 wherein the body is made from injection molded plastic.

25. A device of claim 18 wherein the body has a rounded distal end.

26. A medical probe device having a catheter including a control end and a probe end, the probe end comprising a tip including proximal and distal ends;

a first shell having a first inside surface;

a second shell complementarily engaging the first shell and having a second inside surface;

at least one stylet port defined on a side thereof; and

stylet guide means for guiding a flexible stylet outwardly through the tip and through the at least one stylet port and intervening tissues to target tissues, the stylet guide means engaging said first and second surfaces and comprising a tube extending from the proximal end of the tip to the at least one stylet port.