Endoscopic instrument having reduced diameter flexible shaft
First Claim
1. A medical instrument device, comprising:
- a flexible, filamentous shaft, comprising;
a) a plurality of filaments forming a filamentous core, wherein the plurality of filaments comprise;
a deflection system comprising at least one deflecting filament with a distal end portion operatively coupled to a distal end portion of the medical instrument device and proximal end operatively coupled to a proximal end portion of the medical instrument device, and a control mechanism at the proximal end portion of the medical instrument device enabling a user to pull the at least one deflecting filament and deflect the distal end portion of the deflecting filament; and
an imaging system comprising an image sensor carried on the distal portion of the medical instrument device;
b) a jacket binding the plurality of filaments together forming the filamentous core; and
c) a flexible sheath slideably disposed over the jacket;
wherein the flexible sheath has a functional element at the distal end of the medical instrument device for performing a procedure on an object or tissue at a target site in a patient'"'"'s body,wherein the at least one deflecting filament is slideably housed in a sleeve, andwherein one or more of the plurality of filaments are in contact with an inner wall of the jacket, and the plurality of filaments being in contact with each other lengthwise along the flexible, filamentous shaft so that the filamentous core is bundled within the jacket.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A medical instrument comprising a flexible, filamentous shaft slideably disposed in a sheath, the instrument including an electronic imaging system comprising an image sensor carried on a distal end portion of the instrument. The shaft may be used as a guidewire for a complementary guided device, or it may be used to carry a functional element for performing a procedure at a target site in a patient'"'"'s body. In other embodiments, the present invention contemplates a flexible sheath, preferably having a simple tubular construction, with an electronic imaging system at its distal end. The sheath is adapted to slideably receive a shaft, preferably a filamentous shaft, that closely fits the sheath. The shaft carries functional element at its distal end. The instruments according to the present invention may include one or more filaments along their length for deflecting an insertable portion of the instrument.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A medical instrument device, comprising:
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a flexible, filamentous shaft, comprising; a) a plurality of filaments forming a filamentous core, wherein the plurality of filaments comprise; a deflection system comprising at least one deflecting filament with a distal end portion operatively coupled to a distal end portion of the medical instrument device and proximal end operatively coupled to a proximal end portion of the medical instrument device, and a control mechanism at the proximal end portion of the medical instrument device enabling a user to pull the at least one deflecting filament and deflect the distal end portion of the deflecting filament; and an imaging system comprising an image sensor carried on the distal portion of the medical instrument device; b) a jacket binding the plurality of filaments together forming the filamentous core; and c) a flexible sheath slideably disposed over the jacket; wherein the flexible sheath has a functional element at the distal end of the medical instrument device for performing a procedure on an object or tissue at a target site in a patient'"'"'s body, wherein the at least one deflecting filament is slideably housed in a sleeve, and wherein one or more of the plurality of filaments are in contact with an inner wall of the jacket, and the plurality of filaments being in contact with each other lengthwise along the flexible, filamentous shaft so that the filamentous core is bundled within the jacket. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A medical instrument device, comprising:
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a flexible filamentous shaft comprising; a) a flexible sheath comprising a polymer tube; b) a functional element at a distal end for performing a procedure on an object or tissue at a target site in a patient'"'"'s body; c) a plurality of filaments forming a filamentous core, wherein the plurality of filaments comprise; a deflection system comprising at least one deflecting filament with a distal end portion coupled to a distal end portion of the medical instrument device and a proximal end portion coupled to a proximal end portion of the medical instrument device, and a control mechanism at the proximal end portion of the medical instrument device enabling a user to manipulate the at least one deflecting filament and deflect the distal end portion of the medical instrument device; wherein the at least one deflecting filament is slideably housed in a sleeve, wherein the flexible, filamentous shaft includes a jacket binding the plurality of filaments together forming the filamentous core, wherein the filamentous core includes one or more of the plurality of filaments at an outer perimeter in contact an inner wall of the jacket, and the plurality of filaments are in contact with each other lengthwise along the flexible, filamentous shaft; and wherein the jacket has an outer diameter that closely matches an inner diameter of the flexible sheath.
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16. A medical instrument comprising:
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a flexible, filamentous shaft comprising; i. a plurality of filaments forming a filamentous core; ii. the plurality of filaments including conductors operatively coupled to the image sensor so as to communicate power and signals between the sensor and a location proximal to an insertable portion of the medical instrument; iii. one or more of the plurality of filaments are deflecting filaments constructed and arranged to provide pushability and steerability to the medical instrument sufficient to deliver a distal end of the medical instrument to a predetermined target site in a patient'"'"'s body, wherein the deflecting filaments are slideably housed in a sleeve; iv. a jacket binding the plurality of filaments and the sleeve forming the filamentous core, and v. a flexible sheath slideably disposed over the jacket; an image sensor carried on a distal end portion of the flexible, filamentous shaft; wherein the plurality of filaments are in contact with an inner wall of the jacket and the plurality of filaments in contact with each other lengthwise along the flexible, filamentous shaft. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification