Catheter tip steering plane marker
First Claim
1. A catheter having a tip steering plane marker, comprising:
- a handle assembly;
a guide tube being engaged to said handle assembly;
a catheter distal end portion having a steering mechanism disposed therewithin, the steering mechanism operatively connected to said handle assembly;
a marker means being engaged within said end portion, said marker means being comprised of a first material that differs from a second material which comprises said catheter end portion, such that said marker means provides a distinguishable in vivo visual image of the insertion distance and rotational orientation of said catheter distal end portion to a user of said catheter;
wherein said in vivo visual image of the respective insertion distance and rotational orientation of said catheter distal end portion allows said user to make continuous dynamic adjustments to said steering mechanism via manipulation of said handle assembly while simultaneously advancing said catheter through a body cavity.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A catheter including fluoroscopic marker components disposed in the catheter distal end portion to provide enhanced fluoroscopic visibility of the catheter end portion. Various embodiments of the marker include a cylindrical plug disposed within the catheter tip, a half section catheter tip, a longitudinal stripe along a sidewall of the catheter end portion, and multiple combinations of marker plugs and marker stripes to provide enhanced in vivo fluoroscopically visible catheter disposition information to the physician. An enhanced embodiment of the present invention includes an orientation marker that is disposed on the steering handle, particularly on the control knob, to provide visual and tactile information to the catheter user regarding the direction to manipulate the control knob in order to maneuver the catheter distal end portion.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A catheter having a tip steering plane marker, comprising:
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a handle assembly; a guide tube being engaged to said handle assembly; a catheter distal end portion having a steering mechanism disposed therewithin, the steering mechanism operatively connected to said handle assembly; a marker means being engaged within said end portion, said marker means being comprised of a first material that differs from a second material which comprises said catheter end portion, such that said marker means provides a distinguishable in vivo visual image of the insertion distance and rotational orientation of said catheter distal end portion to a user of said catheter; wherein said in vivo visual image of the respective insertion distance and rotational orientation of said catheter distal end portion allows said user to make continuous dynamic adjustments to said steering mechanism via manipulation of said handle assembly while simultaneously advancing said catheter through a body cavity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of maneuvering a steerable catheter through a body cavity, comprising:
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inserting said catheter into said body cavity, said catheter including marker means engaged within a distal end portion of said catheter; determining the insertion distance and rotational orientation of said catheter distal end portion within said body cavity based on viewing said marker means; adjusting the path of said catheter distal end portion based on said insertion distance and rotational orientation; and incrementally advancing said catheter through said body cavity. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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Specification