Shapable catheter using exchangeable core and method of use
First Claim
1. A shapable medical apparatus comprising, in combination:
- a core wire having a distal portion with a predetermined non-linear shape; and
a catheter having a lumen proportioned to slidably receive the core wire, the catheter including a proximal section and a distal section, the distal section having greater flexibility than the proximal section, the core wire slidably receivable within the lumen such that when the core wire is introduced into the proximal section of the catheter, said distal portion is substantially straightened by the proximal section of the catheter, and when said core wire is advanced so that at least a portion of the distal portion is within the distal section of the catheter, the catheter is deformed to approximate the non-linear shape of the portion of the distal portion of the core wire that is within the distal section.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In a shapable catheter and method for positioning a shapable catheter within a body cavity, a core wire is provided which includes a pre-shaped region bent into a predetermined shape. A catheter is provided which includes a lumen proportioned to slidably receive the core wire. The catheter includes a rigid proximal section and a flexible distal section. During use, the distal end of the catheter is inserted through a patient'"'"'s vasculature and is passed into a body cavity. The pre-shaped region of the core wire is passed into the lumen and is straightened by the rigid proximal section of the catheter. The pre-shaped region is passed further into the catheter until it reaches the flexible distal region, in which the pre-shaped section re-assumes its predetermined shape and causes the core wire to form the distal section of the catheter into the predetermined shape. The distal section of the catheter is positioned in contact with tissue in the body cavity, and electrodes carried by the distal end are used to map and/or ablate the tissue.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A shapable medical apparatus comprising, in combination:
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a core wire having a distal portion with a predetermined non-linear shape; and a catheter having a lumen proportioned to slidably receive the core wire, the catheter including a proximal section and a distal section, the distal section having greater flexibility than the proximal section, the core wire slidably receivable within the lumen such that when the core wire is introduced into the proximal section of the catheter, said distal portion is substantially straightened by the proximal section of the catheter, and when said core wire is advanced so that at least a portion of the distal portion is within the distal section of the catheter, the catheter is deformed to approximate the non-linear shape of the portion of the distal portion of the core wire that is within the distal section. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of positioning a catheter within a body cavity comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a core wire including a distal portion having a predetermined non-linear shape and further providing a catheter having a lumen proportioned to slidably receive the core wire, wherein the catheter includes a proximal section and a distal section, the distal section having greater flexibility than the proximal section; (b) passing the catheter through a vessel and into a body cavity; (c) inserting the distal portion of the core wire into the lumen; (d) passing the distal portion of the core wire through the proximal section of the catheter, causing the distal portion of the core wire to substantially straighten; and (e) passing at least a portion of the distal portion of the core wire into the distal section of the catheter, causing the portion of the distal portion of the core wire to deform the distal section of the catheter to approximate the non-linear shape of the portion of the distal portion that is within the distal section of the catheter. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. A shapable medical apparatus comprising, in combination:
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a core wire having a distal portion with a predetermined non-linear shape; a catheter having a lumen proportioned to slidably receive the core wire, the catheter including a proximal section and a distal section, the distal section having greater flexibility than the proximal section, the core wire slidably receivable within the lumen such that when the core wire is introduced into the proximal section of the catheter, said distal portion is substantially straightened by the proximal section of the catheter, and when said core wire is advanced so that at least a portion of the distal portion is within the distal section of the catheter, the catheter is deformed to approximate the non-linear shape of the portion of the distal portion of the core wire that is within the distal section; and a plurality of electrodes mounted on the distal section of the catheter.
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14. A shapable medical apparatus comprising, in combination:
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a first core wire having a distal portion with a predetermined non-linear shape; a second core wire having a distal portion with a second predetermined non-linear shape, the second predetermined shape being different from the predetermined shape of the first core wire; and a catheter having a lumen proportioned to slidably receive the core wires, the catheter including a proximal section and a distal section, the distal section having greater flexibility than the proximal section, each core wire slidably receivable within the lumen such that when one of the core wires is introduced into the proximal section of the catheter, said distal portion is substantially straightened by the proximal section of the catheter, and when said core wire is advanced so that at least a portion of the distal portion is within the distal section of the catheter, the catheter is deformed to approximate the non-linear shape of the portion of the distal portion of the core wire that is within the distal section.
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15. A method of positioning a catheter within a body cavity comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a core wire including a distal portion having a predetermined non-linear shape and further providing a catheter having a lumen proportioned to slidably receive the core wire, wherein the catheter includes a proximal section and a distal section, the distal section having greater flexibility than the proximal section; (b) passing the catheter through a vessel and into a body cavity; (c) inserting the distal portion of the core wire into the lumen; (d) passing the distal portion of the core wire through the proximal section of the catheter, causing the distal portion of the core wire to substantially straighten; (e) passing at least a portion of the distal portion of the core wire into the distal section of the catheter, causing the portion of the distal portion of the core wire to deform the distal section of the catheter to approximate the non-linear shape of the portion of the distal portion that is within the distal section of the catheter; (f) removing the core wire from the catheter; (g) providing a second core wire, the second core wire including a second distal portion having a second predetermined non-linear shape; (h) inserting the second distal portion of the second core wire into the lumen; (i) passing the second distal portion through the proximal section of the catheter, causing the second core wire to substantially straighten; and (j) passing at least a portion of the second distal portion of the second core wire into the distal section of the catheter, causing the distal section of the catheter to deform to approximate the non-linear shape of the portion of the second distal portion that is within the distal section of the catheter. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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16. A method of positioning a catheter within a body cavity comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a core wire including a distal portion having a predetermined non-linear shape and further providing a catheter having a lumen proportioned to slidably receive the core wire, wherein the catheter includes a proximal section and a distal section, the distal section having greater flexibility than the proximal section, and further providing electrodes on the distal section of the catheter; (b) passing the catheter through a vessel and into a body cavity; (c) inserting the distal portion of the core wire into the lumen; (d) passing the distal portion of the core wire through the proximal section of the catheter, causing the distal portion of the core wire to substantially straighten; (e) passing at least a portion of the distal portion of the core wire into the distal section of the catheter, causing the portion of the distal portion of the core wire to deform the distal section of the catheter to approximate the non-linear shape of the portion of the distal portion that is within the distal section of the catheter; (f) positioning the electrodes into contact with tissue in the body cavity; and (g) delivering RF energy to the electrodes to ablate the tissue.
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17. A method of positioning a catheter within a body cavity comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a core wire including a distal portion having a predetermined non-linear shape and further providing a catheter having a lumen proportioned to slidably receive the core wire, wherein the catheter includes a proximal section and a distal section, the distal section having greater flexibility than the proximal section, and further providing electrodes on the distal section of the catheter; (b) passing the catheter through a vessel and into a body cavity; (c) inserting the distal portion of the core wire into the lumen; (d) passing the distal portion of the core wire through the proximal section of the catheter, causing the distal portion of the core wire to substantially straighten; (e) passing at least a portion of the distal portion of the core wire into the distal section of the catheter, causing the portion of the distal portion of the core wire to deform the distal section of the catheter to approximate the non-linear shape of the portion of the distal portion that is within the distal section of the catheter; (f) positioning the electrodes into contact with tissue in the body cavity; and (g) using the electrode to detect electrical activity of the tissue.
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18. A shapable medical apparatus comprising, in combination:
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a core wire having a distal portion with a predetermined non-linear shape; a catheter having a lumen proportioned to slidably receive the core wire, the catheter including a proximal section and a distal section, the distal section having greater flexibility than the proximal section, the core wire slidably receivable within the lumen such that when the core wire is introduced into the proximal section of the catheter, said distal portion is substantially straightened by the proximal section of the catheter, and when said core wire is advanced so that at least a portion of the distal portion is within the distal section of the catheter, the catheter is deformed to approximate the non-linear shape of the portion of the distal portion of the core wire that is within the distal section; a source of ablation energy; an ablation section on the distal section of the catheter, the ablation section including at least one electrode coupled to the source of ablation energy, and a fluid port for delivering conductive fluid into contact with the electrodes and to cause said fluid to create a conductive path between the electrodes and the tissue when the electrodes are positioned adjacent body tissue. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification