Rotate-to-advance catheterization system
First Claim
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1. A threaded introducer system for accessing a bodily passageway, the introducer system comprising:
- a flexible tube having a distal end and a proximal end, a longitudinal axis extending between the distal end and the proximal end, and a lumen extending from the distal end to the proximal end, the lumen being sized to receive an object to be transported through the bodily passageway;
apparatus for connecting the object received within the lumen to the tube, the apparatus comprising a rotary coupling portion attached to the tube such that the rotary coupling portion may rotate freely about the longitudinal axis of the tube while being longitudinally fixed to the tube, and an attachment portion mounted to the tube such that the attachment portion selectively grips the object; and
an external thread disposed over the distal end of the tube, the external thread having a sufficient structural integrity, and a sufficient surface profile, such that when the tube is disposed in a bodily passageway, rotation of the tube about the longitudinal axis will result in longitudinal motion of the tube along said bodily passageway.
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Abstract
Apparatus for accessing a bodily passageway, the apparatus comprising:
- a flexible tube having a distal end and a proximal end, a longitudinal axis extending between the distal end and the proximal end, and a lumen extending from the distal end to the proximal end, the lumen being sized to receive matter to be transported through the bodily passageway; and
- an external thread disposed over the distal end of the tube, the external thread having a sufficient structural integrity, and a sufficient surface profile, such that when the tube is disposed in a bodily passageway, rotation of the tube about the longitudinal axis will result in longitudinal motion of the tube along said bodily passageway.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A threaded introducer system for accessing a bodily passageway, the introducer system comprising:
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a flexible tube having a distal end and a proximal end, a longitudinal axis extending between the distal end and the proximal end, and a lumen extending from the distal end to the proximal end, the lumen being sized to receive an object to be transported through the bodily passageway; apparatus for connecting the object received within the lumen to the tube, the apparatus comprising a rotary coupling portion attached to the tube such that the rotary coupling portion may rotate freely about the longitudinal axis of the tube while being longitudinally fixed to the tube, and an attachment portion mounted to the tube such that the attachment portion selectively grips the object; and an external thread disposed over the distal end of the tube, the external thread having a sufficient structural integrity, and a sufficient surface profile, such that when the tube is disposed in a bodily passageway, rotation of the tube about the longitudinal axis will result in longitudinal motion of the tube along said bodily passageway. - 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)
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29. A method for delivering an object within a bodily passageway, the method comprising:
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providing a threaded introducer system for accessing a bodily passageway, the introducer system comprising; a flexible tube having a distal end and a proximal end, a longitudinal axis extending between the distal end and the proximal end, and a lumen extending from the distal end to the proximal end, the lumen being sized to receive an object to be transported through the bodily passageway; apparatus for connecting the object received within the lumen to the tube, the apparatus comprising a rotary coupling portion attached to the tube such that the rotary coupling may rotate freely about the longitudinal axis of the tube while being longitudinally fixed to the tube, and an attachment portion mounted to the tube such that the attachment portion selectively grips the object; and an external thread disposed over the distal end of the tube, the external thread having a sufficient structural integrity, and a sufficient surface profile, such that when the tube is disposed in a bodily passageway, rotation of the tube about the longitudinal axis will result in longitudinal motion of the tube along the bodily passageway; and inserting the threaded introducer system into the bodily passageway.
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Specification