Torquable tubular assembly and torquable catheter utilizing the same

• US 5,685,868 A
• Filed: 09/29/1995
• Issued: 11/11/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: BioCardia, Inc
• Original Assignee: Ingemar H. Lundquist
• Inventors: Lundquist, Ingemar H.
• Primary Examiner(s): MCDERMOTT, CORRINE MARIE
• Application Number:
  US08/536,482
• Time in Patent Office: 774 Days
• Field of Search: 604/95, 604/264, 604/280, 604/282, 128/772, 128/656-658, 600/139, 600/147, 600/146, 600/144
• US Class Current: 604/523
• 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 10/0233 Pointed or sharp biopsy instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0241 for prostate
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0275 with sample notch, e.g. on the side of inner stylet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/06 Biopsy forceps , e.g. with cup-shaped jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3403 Needle locating or guiding means guides for suture needles A61B17/0482; guiding or tracking by nuclear magnetic resonance G01R33/285
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3417 Details of tips or shafts, e.g. grooves, expandable, bendable; Multiple coaxial sliding cannulas, e.g. for dilating syringe needles A61M5/32; dilators A61M29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3478 Endoscopic needles, e.g. for infusion biopsy needles A61B10/0233; catheters with injection needles A61M25/0067
• 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 18/1442 Probes having pivoting end effectors, e.g. forceps
• 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 18/1492 having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation A61B18/1477 takes precedence
• 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 2017/00101 : using an array of thermosensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00106 : ultrasonic
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00123 : and automatic shutdown
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00181 : Means for setting or varying the pulse energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00194 : Means for setting or varying the repetition rate
• 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 2017/00469 : for insertion of instruments, e.g. guide wire, optical fibre
• 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 2018/00101 : low, i.e. thermally insulating
• 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 2018/1425 : 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 2090/378 : using ultrasound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3782 : transmitter or receiver in catheter or minimal invasive instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3786 : receiver only
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3925 : ultrasonic
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/005 : with suction drainage system
• 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 2025/0089 : Single injection needle protruding axially, i.e. along the longitudinal axis of the catheter, 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 2025/015 : Details of the distal fixation of the movable mechanical means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/018 : Catheters having a lateral opening for guiding elongated means lateral to the catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0051 : made from fenestrated or weakened tubing layer
• 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 25/008 : Strength or flexibility characteristics of the catheter tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0082 : Catheter tip comprising a tool
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0136 : Handles therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0138 : having flexible regions as a result of weakened outer material, e.g. slots, slits, cuts, joints or coils
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0147 : with movable mechanical means, e.g. pull wires
• 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

Torquable tubular assembly comprising first and second tubular members with the second tubular member being disposed within the first tubular member along a longitudinal axis. Each of the first and second tubular members has a cylindrical wall with a plurality of slots formed therein spaced-apart longitudinally of the cylindrical wall and along the longitudinal axis. Each of the slots subtends less than 360°. Each of the slots have a first portion with a width which extends generally circumferentially of the cylindrical wall and a second portion which extends generally longitudinally of the cylindrical wall beyond the width of the first portion. Each of the first and second tubular members has a distal extremity and portions proximal of the distal extremity and means fastening together the distal extremities of the first and second tubular members while permitting other portions of the first and second tubular members to move with respect to each other during bending of the distal extremity.

Claims

1. A tubular assembly comprising a tubular member having longitudinal axis and a cylindrical wall extending along the longitudinal axis, the cylindrical wall having at least a portion thereof having a plurality of spaced-apart L-shaped slots formed therein facing in the same direction and spaced apart longitudinally of the cylindrical wall along the longitudinal axis, each of said L-shaped slots subtending an angle of at least 270°

but less than 360°

, each of said L-shaped slots having a first portion having a width which extends generally circumferentially of the cylindrical wall and a second portion which extends generally longitudinally of the cylindrical wall beyond the width of the first portion, said L-shaped slots being aligned circumferentially and delineating a rib in the cylindrical wall of the tubular member extending longitudinally along the longitudinal axis and means connected to the tubular member for causing bending of the portion of the tubular member having the L-shaped slots therein, said L-shaped slots serving to permit the formation of a smooth bend in the portion of the cylindrical wall having the L-shaped slots therein.