Embryo transfer catheter
First Claim
1. A cellular transfer catheter for implantation of cellular material into the uterus of a patient, the cellular transfer catheter (10) comprising:
- a first component (11, 13), the first component (11) having a distal end (18) and a passageway (16) extending therethrough; and
a second component (12, 29, 30) having a greater stiffness than the first component and suitable for assisting passage of the first component (11) through a cervix and into the uterus of the patient;
said first component (11) including a region (20) closely adjacent its distal end (18) having an ultrasonic reflectivity detectable different from the reflectivity of adjacent parts.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A cellular transfer catheter (10) is provided for implantation of cellular material into the uterus of a patient. The catheter includes a first component (11, 13) of a first material (26) which has a passageway (16) extending therethrough, and a second component (12) of a second material (27) having a higher durometer than the first material and suitable for assisting passage of the first component (11, 13) through a cervix and into the uterus of the patient. The first component (11, 13) includes a region (20) closely adjacent its distal end (18) having an ultrasonic reflectivity detectably different from the reflectivity of adjacent parts.
-
Citations
30 Claims
-
1. A cellular transfer catheter for implantation of cellular material into the uterus of a patient, the cellular transfer catheter (10) comprising:
-
a first component (11, 13), the first component (11) having a distal end (18) and a passageway (16) extending therethrough; and
a second component (12, 29, 30) having a greater stiffness than the first component and suitable for assisting passage of the first component (11) through a cervix and into the uterus of the patient;
said first component (11) including a region (20) closely adjacent its distal end (18) having an ultrasonic reflectivity detectable different from the reflectivity of adjacent parts. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23)
-
-
20. A cellular transfer cathether (10) comprising:
-
an outer member (12) that comprises a first material (26), the outer member (12) having a passage (17) therethrough; and
an inner member (11) slidably disposed within the outer member (12), the inner member (11) comprising a second material (27) having a lower durometer and greater flexibility than the first material (26), the inner member (11) having a passageway (16) therethough;
said inner member (11) further including a region (20) having an outer surface, the region (20) disposed closely adjacent the distal end (13) of the inner member (11), the region (20) further comprising an ultrasonically reflective component (21, 24). - View Dependent Claims (21, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
-
-
29. A cellular transfer catheter (10) comprising:
-
an outer member (12) that comprises a first material (26), the outer member (12) having a passageway (16) therethrough;
an inner member (11) slidably disposed within the outer member (12), the inner member substantially comprising a second material (27) having a lower durometer and greater modulus of elasticity than the first material (26), the inner member (11) having a passageway (16) extending therethough, the passageway (16) having an inner diameter between 0.018″ and
0.021″
for permitting a transfer volume between 5 μ
l and 15 μ
l;
a region (20) having an outer surface disposed about the distal end (13) of the inner member (11), the region (20) including semicircular-shaped indentations in its outer surface. - View Dependent Claims (30)
-
Specification