Expandable guide sheath with steerable backbone and methods for making and using them
First Claim
1. An apparatus for providing access to a body lumen, comprising:
- a tubular member extending from a proximal end thereof to a distal end thereof, the tubular member defining a lumen that extends from the proximal end to the distal end, the proximal end including a handle of the apparatus, and the distal end being tapered and sized for insertion into the body lumen;
an elongate member extending distally, from the distal end of the tubular member, to a terminal distal tip of the elongate member, the elongate member being fixedly attached to the tubular member;
an expandable sheath including a proximal end and a distal terminal end, the proximal end of the expandable sheath being fixedly attached to the distal end of the tubular member such that the proximal end of the sheath surrounds and overlies the distal end of the tubular member, the sheath extending distally from the distal end of the tubular member, over a length that is less than an overall length of the tubular member, and along at least a portion of the elongate member, the sheath being expandable from a contracted condition to an enlarged condition, at which enlarged condition the sheath defines a lumen, the sheath lumen communicating with the tubular member lumen and including a distal opening, the distal opening terminating the sheath lumen and being defined by a portion of a perimeter of the distal terminal end of the sheath that becomes spaced apart from the elongate member, when the expandable sheath is expanded, and the distal opening allowing passage, therethrough, of a medical instrument into the body lumen, the medical instrument having been passed through the tubular member lumen and through the sheath lumen, alongside the elongate member; and
a steering element coupled to the distal tip of the elongate member for causing the distal tip to bend when the steering element is actuated.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and methods are provided for providing access to a body lumen. The apparatus includes a tubular member including a proximal end, a distal end sized for insertion into a body lumen, and a lumen extending therebetween. A pushable stiffening member extends from the distal end of the tubular member. An expandable sheath extends along at least a portion of the stiffening member, the sheath being expandable from a contracted condition to facilitate insertion into a body lumen, and an enlarged condition wherein the sheath at least partially defines a lumen communicating with the tubular member lumen. A distal portion of the sheath is steerable, e.g., using a pull wire disposed within a lumen of the sheath or within the stiffening member. In addition or alternatively, the stiffening member may be biased to a predetermined shape to facilitate introduction.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. An apparatus for providing access to a body lumen, comprising:
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a tubular member extending from a proximal end thereof to a distal end thereof, the tubular member defining a lumen that extends from the proximal end to the distal end, the proximal end including a handle of the apparatus, and the distal end being tapered and sized for insertion into the body lumen; an elongate member extending distally, from the distal end of the tubular member, to a terminal distal tip of the elongate member, the elongate member being fixedly attached to the tubular member; an expandable sheath including a proximal end and a distal terminal end, the proximal end of the expandable sheath being fixedly attached to the distal end of the tubular member such that the proximal end of the sheath surrounds and overlies the distal end of the tubular member, the sheath extending distally from the distal end of the tubular member, over a length that is less than an overall length of the tubular member, and along at least a portion of the elongate member, the sheath being expandable from a contracted condition to an enlarged condition, at which enlarged condition the sheath defines a lumen, the sheath lumen communicating with the tubular member lumen and including a distal opening, the distal opening terminating the sheath lumen and being defined by a portion of a perimeter of the distal terminal end of the sheath that becomes spaced apart from the elongate member, when the expandable sheath is expanded, and the distal opening allowing passage, therethrough, of a medical instrument into the body lumen, the medical instrument having been passed through the tubular member lumen and through the sheath lumen, alongside the elongate member; and a steering element coupled to the distal tip of the elongate member for causing the distal tip to bend when the steering element is actuated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An apparatus for providing access to a body lumen, comprising:
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a tubular member extending from a proximal end thereof to a distal end thereof, the tubular member defining a lumen that extends from the proximal end to the distal end, the proximal end including a handle of the apparatus, and the distal end being tapered and sized for insertion into the body lumen; an elongate member being fixedly attached to the tubular member and comprising a distal portion, the distal portion extending distally from the distal end of the tubular member and being biased to assume a predetermined nonlinear shape; and an expandable sheath including a proximal end and a distal terminal end, the proximal end of the expandable sheath being fixedly attached to the distal end of the tubular member such that the proximal end of the sheath surrounds and overlies the distal end of the tubular member, the sheath extending distally from the distal end of the tubular member, over a length that is less than an overall length of the tubular member, and along at least a portion of the distal portion of the elongate member, the sheath being expandable from a contracted condition to an enlarged condition, at which enlarged condition the sheath defines a lumen, the sheath lumen communicating with the tubular member lumen and including a distal opening, the distal opening terminating the sheath lumen and being defined by a portion of a perimeter of the distal terminal end of the sheath that becomes spaced apart from the elongate member, when the expandable sheath is expanded, and the distal opening allowing passage, therethrough, of a medical instrument into the body lumen, the medical instrument having been passed through the tubular member lumen and through the sheath lumen, alongside the elongate member. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An apparatus for providing access to a body lumen, comprising:
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a tubular member extending from a proximal end thereof to a distal end thereof, the tubular member defining a lumen that extends from the proximal end to the distal end, the proximal end including a handle of the apparatus, and the distal end being tapered and sized for insertion into the body lumen; an elongate member being fixedly attached to the tubular member, the elongate member comprising a distal portion and defining another lumen, the other lumen extending along a length of the elongate member, and the distal portion extending distally from the distal end of the tubular member and being biased to assume a predetermined nonlinear shape; and an expandable sheath including a proximal end and a distal terminal end, the proximal end of the expandable sheath being fixedly attached to the distal end of the tubular member such that the proximal end of the sheath surrounds and overlies the distal end of the tubular member, the sheath extending distally from the distal end of the tubular member, over a length that is less than an overall length of the tubular member, and along at least a portion of the distal portion of the elongate member, the sheath being expandable from a contracted condition to an enlarged condition, at which enlarged condition the sheath defines a lumen, the sheath lumen communicating with the tubular member lumen and including a distal opening, the distal opening terminating the sheath lumen and being defined by a portion of a perimeter of the distal terminal end of the sheath that becomes spaced apart from the elongate member, when the expandable sheath is expanded, and the distal opening allowing passage, therethrough, of a medical instrument into the body lumen, the medical instrument having been passed through the tubular member lumen and through the sheath lumen, alongside the elongate member. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification