Self-activating endoluminal device
First Claim
1. A medical device for use in a body lumen, said device comprising:
- a tubular sheath comprising;
a proximal end;
a distal end opposite said proximal end;
at least one reconfigurable section disposed intermediate said proximal and distal ends; and
an elastic bias section disposed proximal relative to said reconfigurable section, said elastic bias section configured to vary the axial length of said reconfigurable section; and
an elongate control element defining a proximal end and a distal end, said control element sized to allow longitudinal placement thereof within said sheath, said sheath and control element fixedly attached to one another at substantially opposing ends thereof such that a tensile force is imposed by said sheath on said control element through said fixed attachment, said tensile force sufficient to bias said reconfigurable section in an expanded first shape that can be overcome by imparting an external force on said sheath through said elastic bias section such that said medical device assumes a second shape different from said first shape.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An improved endoluminal device. The device includes at least a control element (such as a guide wire) connected to a surrounding sheath and an elastic bias section to control changes to a bias force formed between the control element and the sheath. By applying an external force at a proximal end of the device, the shape can change between varying degrees of deformed shapes and an undeformed shape. In this way, both ease of insertion into the body lumen and anchoring to the lumen is promoted. A distal end of the assembly can be made to change shape for improved steerability, anchoring or both. In a particular form, the anchoring section can work as a floating parachute-like device to pull the assembly by means of the flow in the body lumen, while in a more particular form, the floating parachute-like device may be modified to act as a filter for trapping emboli.
72 Citations
75 Claims
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1. A medical device for use in a body lumen, said device comprising:
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a tubular sheath comprising; a proximal end; a distal end opposite said proximal end; at least one reconfigurable section disposed intermediate said proximal and distal ends; and an elastic bias section disposed proximal relative to said reconfigurable section, said elastic bias section configured to vary the axial length of said reconfigurable section; and an elongate control element defining a proximal end and a distal end, said control element sized to allow longitudinal placement thereof within said sheath, said sheath and control element fixedly attached to one another at substantially opposing ends thereof such that a tensile force is imposed by said sheath on said control element through said fixed attachment, said tensile force sufficient to bias said reconfigurable section in an expanded first shape that can be overcome by imparting an external force on said sheath through said elastic bias section such that said medical device assumes a second shape different from said first shape. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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45. A guide wire assembly for use in a body lumen, said assembly comprising:
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a tubular sheath defining a proximal end, a distal end and at least one reconfigurable section disposed intermediate said proximal and distal ends; a wire defining a proximal end and a distal end, said wire and said sheath fixedly attached to one another at substantially opposing ends thereof such that a tensile force is imposed by said sheath on said wire through said fixed attachment, said tensile force sufficient to bias said reconfigurable section in an expanded first shape; and an elastic bias section cooperative with said sheath and configured such that upon application of a variation in said tensile force through movement of said elastic bias section relative to said sheath, said reconfigurable section assumes a second shape that is less expanded than said first shape. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52)
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53. A medical device comprising:
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a hollow elongate member defining at least one reconfigurable section therein; an elongate control element sized to fit longitudinally in said hollow elongate member, wherein said hollow elongate member and said elongate control element are fixedly attached to each other at respective proximal ends and distal ends such that a state of tension exists between said elongate control element and said hollow elongate member; and an elastic bias member coupled to said hollow elongate member between said proximal end and said at least one reconfigurable section such that absent any external force being imparted to said device, said bias member causes said state of tension to be overcome in said device to place said at least one reconfigurable section into an expanded state that is different from an insertion state. - View Dependent Claims (54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75)
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Specification