Asymmetric dual directional steerable catheter sheath
First Claim
1. A steerable catheter sheath, comprising:
- an elongated member having a distal end, a proximal end and a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end, wherein the lumen is configured for receiving a catheter therein, the elongated member comprising an elongated resilient tube having a first plurality of notches in a first lateral side thereof and a second plurality of notches in a second lateral side thereof, and wherein the respective first and second lateral sides of the tube have different bending properties;
a first steering wire comprising a distal end coupled to the first lateral side of the elongated member, wherein tensioning the first steering wire bends the distal end of the elongated member in a first direction to create a first bending configuration; and
a second steering wire comprising a distal end coupled to the second lateral side of the elongated member, wherein tensioning the second steering wire bends the distal end of the elongated member in a second direction to create a second bending configuration,wherein a shape of the first bending configuration is different from a shape of the second bending configuration;
wherein the tube further comprises a plurality of slits in a portion of the first lateral side of the tube for allowing the portion of the tube to bend when the elongated member is steered into the second bending configuration and preventing the portion of the tube from bending when the elongated member is steered into the first bending configuration, and wherein a fulcrum point of the first lateral side of the tube is located between the slits and the notches in the first lateral side of the tube distal to a fulcrum point of the second lateral side of the tube.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A steerable catheter sheath for use in directing a catheter into a desired position is provided. The sheath includes an elongated member configured to receive the catheter therein. The distal end of the elongated member is steerable in two directions, each direction having a different bent configuration, e.g., a sharp curve in one direction and an open arching curve in the other direction. A resilient structure having different bending properties in each of its lateral sides is carried in the distal portion of the elongated member and causes the asymmetric bending. In one embodiment, the resilient structure includes a hypotube with a plurality of notches and slits in the sides. In another embodiment, the resilient structure is covered in an outer coating having different durometer portions. The sheath is particularly useful for accessing left and right pulmonary veins when a transeptal entry approach is used into the left atrium.
120 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A steerable catheter sheath, comprising:
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an elongated member having a distal end, a proximal end and a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end, wherein the lumen is configured for receiving a catheter therein, the elongated member comprising an elongated resilient tube having a first plurality of notches in a first lateral side thereof and a second plurality of notches in a second lateral side thereof, and wherein the respective first and second lateral sides of the tube have different bending properties; a first steering wire comprising a distal end coupled to the first lateral side of the elongated member, wherein tensioning the first steering wire bends the distal end of the elongated member in a first direction to create a first bending configuration; and a second steering wire comprising a distal end coupled to the second lateral side of the elongated member, wherein tensioning the second steering wire bends the distal end of the elongated member in a second direction to create a second bending configuration, wherein a shape of the first bending configuration is different from a shape of the second bending configuration; wherein the tube further comprises a plurality of slits in a portion of the first lateral side of the tube for allowing the portion of the tube to bend when the elongated member is steered into the second bending configuration and preventing the portion of the tube from bending when the elongated member is steered into the first bending configuration, and wherein a fulcrum point of the first lateral side of the tube is located between the slits and the notches in the first lateral side of the tube distal to a fulcrum point of the second lateral side of the tube. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for positioning a catheter in a body, comprising:
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providing a steerable guide sheath comprising an elongated member having a distal end, a proximal end and a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end, wherein the lumen is configured for receiving the catheter therein, the elongated member comprising an elongated resilient tube having a first plurality of notches in a first lateral side thereof and a second plurality of notches in a second lateral side thereof, and wherein the respective first and second lateral sides of the tube have different bending properties; a first steering wire comprising a distal end coupled to the first lateral side of the elongated member, wherein tensioning the first steering wire bends the distal end of the elongated member in a first direction to create a first bending configuration; and a second steering wire comprising a distal end coupled to the second lateral side of the elongated member, wherein tensioning the second steering wire bends the distal end of the elongated member in a second direction to create a second bending configuration, wherein a shape of the first bending configuration is different from a shape of the second bending configuration; wherein the tube further comprises a plurality of slits in a portion of the first lateral side of the tube for allowing the portion of the tube to bend when the elongated member is steered into the second bending configuration and preventing the portion of the tube from bending when the elongated member is steered into the first bending configuration, and wherein a fulcrum point of the first lateral side of the tube is located between the slits and the notches in the first lateral side of the tube distal to a fulcrum point of the second lateral side of the tube; introducing the steerable guide sheath into an anatomical cavity; introducing the catheter into the guide sheath; deflecting a distal end of the guide sheath in the first direction into the first bending configuration to point the distal end of the guide sheath towards a first target site; operating the catheter to perform a medical procedure at the first target site; deflecting the distal end of the guide sheath in the second direction into the second bending configuration different from the first bending configuration to point the distal end of the guide sheath toward a second target site different from the first target site; and operating the catheter to perform another medical procedure at the second target site. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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Specification