System and method for treating select tissue in living being

• US 6,293,282 B1
• Filed: 04/03/2000
• Issued: 09/25/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Jerome H. Lemelson
• Original Assignee: Jerome H. Lemelson
• Inventors: Lemelson, Jerome
• Primary Examiner(s): Lateef, Marvin M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MANTIS MERCADER, ELENI M
• Application Number:
  US09/541,298
• Time in Patent Office: 540 Days
• Field of Search: 128/899, 604/891.1, 604/95, 604/280, 604/281, 604/282, 604/283, 604/890.1, 600/114, 600/407, 222/92, 222/93, 222/94, 222/95, 222/97
• US Class Current: 128/899
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320758 with a rotating cutting instrument, e.g. motor driven A61B17/320725, A61B17/32075 and A61B17/320783 take precedence; for removing intra-ocular material A61F9/00763; endoscopic rotatable cutting instruments A61B17/32002
• 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 2010/045 Needles pointed biopsy devices with vacuum aspiration A61B10/0283
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/003 Steerable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22077 with a part piercing the tissue A61B2017/22044 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320004 abrasive
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3614 using optical fibre
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0057 Catheters delivering medicament other than through a conventional lumen, e.g. porous walls or hydrogel coatings
• 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 25/0068 Static characteristics of the catheter tip, e.g. shape, atraumatic tip, curved tip or tip structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0082 Catheter tip comprising a tool
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0084 being one or more injection needles
• 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 25/0158 with magnetic or electrical means, e.g. by using piezo materials, electroactive polymers, magnetic materials or by heating of shape memory materials

Abstract

A computerized imaging system (such as CAT scan, MRI imaging, ultrasound imaging, infrared, X-ray, UV/visible light fluorescence, Raman spectroscopy or microwave imaging) is employed to sense the position of an endoscopic treatment system within the body of a patient. In a preferred embodiment, the system provides real-time computer control to maintain and adjust the position of the treatment system and/or the position of the patient relative to the treatment system; and also provides (if desired) real-time computer control of the operation of the treatment system itself. Other embodiments include scanning mechanisms for directing laser light or other radiation under controlled conditions at select locations within the body.

Claims

1. A steerable catheter comprising a tube having a wall, a proximal end;

a distal end and at least one lumen;

wherein said lumen encloses a longitudinally extending controllable stiffening member operably attached to said catheter and containing at least one compartment containing an ER gel;

at least one pull wire operably attached to adjacent said distal end of said catheter and extending longitudinally out said proximal end of said catheter;

at least one activating electrode and ground electrode suitable for energizing said ER gel and computer control means for energizing select portions of said ER gel and thereby selectively stiffening portions of said catheter, and computer control means for operating said pull wire to form said catheter into a desired shape so that said catheter is operably steerable.

2. The steerable catheter of claim 1 wherein said stiffening member forms part of said wall of said tube.