Deflectable catheter with hinge
First Claim
1. A deflectable catheter comprising:
- an elongated tubular catheter shaft having proximal and distal ends and at least one lumen extending tharethrough;
a distal shaft distal to the distal end of the catheter shaft, the distal shaft having proximal and distal ends and comprising a lower durometer material than a material of the catheter shaft; and
an intermediate shaft between the distal end of the catheter shaft and the distal shaft, wherein the intermediate shaft comprises a lower durometer material than the material of both the distal end of the catheter shaft and the distal shaft, the intermediate shaft carrying a tubular hinge, the hinge having at least one lumen extending therethrough and at least one generally transverse slot extending partially through the hinge such that the hinge is adapted to bend in only a single plane in a only single direction.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A deflectable device, such as a catheter, is provided that includes a hinge that enhances the ability of the device to deflect or bend within a predetermined plane. The catheter comprises an elongated tubular catheter body having proximal and distal ends and at least one lumen extending therethrough. A distal segment is provided distal to the distal end of the catheter body. A tubular hinge is provided between the distal end of the catheter body and the proximal end of the distal segment. The hinge has an axis and at least one lumen extending therethrough. The tube includes at least one slot, and preferably a plurality of slots, extending part of the way through the hinge generally transverse to the axis of the hinge.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A deflectable catheter comprising:
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an elongated tubular catheter shaft having proximal and distal ends and at least one lumen extending tharethrough; a distal shaft distal to the distal end of the catheter shaft, the distal shaft having proximal and distal ends and comprising a lower durometer material than a material of the catheter shaft; and an intermediate shaft between the distal end of the catheter shaft and the distal shaft, wherein the intermediate shaft comprises a lower durometer material than the material of both the distal end of the catheter shaft and the distal shaft, the intermediate shaft carrying a tubular hinge, the hinge having at least one lumen extending therethrough and at least one generally transverse slot extending partially through the hinge such that the hinge is adapted to bend in only a single plane in a only single direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A deflectable catheter comprising:
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an elongated tubular catheter shaft having an outer wall, proximal and distal ends and at least one lumen extending therethrough; a stiffening tube lining an inner surface of the outer wall of the cathetcr shaft; a distal shaft distal to the distal end of the catheter shaft, the distal shaft having proximal and distal ends and wherein the distal shaft is more flexible than the catheter shaft; and a tubular hinge between the distal end of the catheter shaft and the proximal end of the distal shaft, the hinge having an axis and at least one lumen extending therethrough, wherein the hinge has a compressible side and an expandible side opposite the compressible side, and further wherein the hinge includes one or more slots along the compressible side, each slot along the compressible side being generally transverse to the axis of the hinge and extending partially through the hinge, each slot along the compressible side comprising an elongated opening having first and second widths, the second width terminating in a circular opening, the first width and a diameter of the circular opening being greater than the second width. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A deflectable catheter comprising:
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an elongated tubular catheter shaft having an outer wall, proximal aiid distal ends and at least one lumen extending thervthrough; a stiffening tube lining an inner surface of the outer wall of the cathewr shaft; a distal shaft distal to the distal end of the catheter shaft, the distal shaft having proximal and distal ends and wherein the distal shaft is more flexible than the catheter shaft; and a tubular hinge between the distal end of the catheter shaft and the proximal end of the distal shaft, the hinge having an axis and at least one lumen extending thereihrough, wherein the hinge includes at least one generally transverse slot extending partially through the hinge, the hinge being adapted to bend in only a single plane in a only single direction, wherein the distal shaft includes at least one lumen extending therethrough and carries a porous electrode. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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22. A deflectable device comprising:
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an elongated tubing having proximal and distal ends, at least one lumen extending therethrough, the tubing comprising a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an intermediate portion between the proximal portion and the distal portion, wherein the distal portion comprises a lower durometer material than a material of the proximal portion, and the intermediate portion comprises a lower durometer material than the material of both the proximal portion and the distal portion, wherein the tubing includes at least one generally transverse slot extending partially through the tubing in the intermediate portion such that the tubing is adapted to bend in only a single plane in a only single direction; and means for deflecting the distal portion of the tubing.
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23. A deflectable device having proximal and distal ends comprising:
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a proximal portion near the proximal end of the device; a distal portion near the distal end of the device; and an intermediate portion between the proximal and distal portions wherein the distal portion comprises a lower durometer material than itie proximal portion and the intermediate portion comprises a lower durometer material than the material of both the proximal portion and the distal portion, the intermediate portion carrying a hinge, the hinge comprising a tubing and at least one lumen extending therethrough, wherein the tubing includes at least one generally transverse slot extending partially through the tubing such that the tubing is adauted to bend in only a single plane in a only single direction.
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24. A deflectable catheter comprising:
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an elongated tubular catheter shaft having an outer wall, proximal and distal ends and at least one lumen extending therethrough; a stiffening tube lining an inner surface of the outer wall of the catheter shaft; a distal shaft distal to the distal end of the catheter shaft, the distal shaft having proximal and distal ends and wherein the distal shaft is more flexible than the catheter shaft; and a tubular hinge between the distal end of the catheter shaft and the proximal end of the distal shaft, the hinge having an axis and at least one lumen extending therethrough. wherein the hinge has a compressible side and an expandible side, and further wherein the hinge includes one or more slots along the compressible side and one or more slots along the epandible side, each slot being generally transverse to the axis of the hinge and extending partially through the hinge, the one or more slots along the expandible side being aligned with the one or more slots along the compressible side and the one or more slots along the compressible side being wider than the one or more slots along the expandible side.
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25. A deflectable catheter comprising:
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an elongated tubular catheter shaft having an outer wall, proximal and distal ends and at least one lumen extending therethrough; a stiffening tube lining an inner surface of the outer wall of the catheter shaft; a distal shaft distal to the distal end of the catheter shaft, the distal shaft having proximal and distal ends and wherein the distal shaft is more flexible than the catheter shaft; and a tubular hinge between the distal end of the catheter shaft and the proximal end of the distal shaft, the hinge having an axis and at least one lumen extending therethrough, wherein the hinge has a compressible side and an expandible side, and further wherein the hinge includes one or more slots along the compressible side and one or more slots along the expandible side, each slot being generally transverse to the axis of the hinge and extending partially through the hinge, each slot along the expandible side terminating in a circular opening and the the one or more slots along the compressible side being wider than the one or more slots along the expandible side.
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Specification