Steerable delivery sheaths

• US 8,920,369 B2
• Filed: 05/03/2012
• Issued: 12/30/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Shifamed Holdings, LLC
• Original Assignee: Shifamed Holdings, LLC
• Inventors: Salahieh, Amr, Lepak, Jonah, Leung, Emma, Saul, Tom, Dueri, Jean-Pierre, De La Menardiere, Brice Arnault, Baldwin, Clayton
• Primary Examiner(s): FLICK, JASON E
• Application Number:
  US13/463,537
• Publication Number:
  US 20120277730A1
• Time in Patent Office: 971 Days
• Field of Search: 604/95.04
• US Class Current: 604/95.04
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00135 Oversleeves mounted on the endoscope prior to insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00309 Cut-outs or slits
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00314 Separate linked members
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/10 for stereotaxic surgery, e.g. frame-based stereotaxis
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0161 wherein the distal tips have two or more deflection regions
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0013 Weakening parts of a catheter tubing, e.g. by making cuts in the tube or reducing thickness of a layer at one point to adjust the flexibility
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0045 multi-layered, e.g. coated coating materials A61L29/08
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0053 having a variable stiffness along the longitudinal axis, e.g. by varying the pitch of the coil or braid
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0136 Handles therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0138 having flexible regions as a result of weakened outer material, e.g. slots, slits, cuts, joints or coils
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0144 having flexible regions as a result of inner reinforcement means, e.g. struts or rods
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0147 with movable mechanical means, e.g. pull wires

Abstract

Steerable medical delivery devices and their methods of use.

Claims

1. A steerable medical delivery device, comprising:

a steerable portion comprising

a first tubular member comprising a flexible polymeric tubular member that comprises a wall of solid material along the steerable portion, the first tubular member configured to preferentially bend; and

a second tubular member, wherein one of the first and second tubular members is disposed within the other;

wherein the first and second tubular members are permanently axially fixed relative to one another at a fixation location distal to the steerable portion, and wherein the first and second tubular members are adapted to be axially moved relative to one another along the steerable portion to steer the steerable portion in a first direction.

2. The steerable medical delivery device of claim 1 wherein the flexible polymeric tubular member has a variable structure in the steerable portion, and the variable structure imparts the preferential bending.

3. The steerable medical delivery device of claim 1 wherein the first tubular member further comprises a support structure embedded in the flexible polymeric tubular member.

4. The steerable medical delivery device of claim 1 wherein the first tubular member is disposed within the second tubular member.

5. The steerable medical delivery device of claim 1 wherein the second tubular member is disposed within the first tubular member.

6. The steerable medical delivery device of claim 1 wherein the second tubular member comprises a second flexible polymeric tubular member, and the second tubular member is configured to preferentially bend.

7. The steerable medical delivery device of claim 6 wherein the second flexible polymeric tubular member comprises a wall of solid material along the steerable portion.

8. The steerable medical delivery device of claim 6 wherein the second tubular member further comprises a support structure embedded in the second flexible polymeric tubular member.

9. A steerable medical delivery device, comprising:

a steerable portion comprising

a first tubular member comprising a flexible polymeric tubular member and a support structure embedded in the flexible polymeric tubular member, the first tubular member configured to preferentially bend; and

a second tubular member, wherein one of the first and second tubular members is disposed within the other;

wherein the first and second tubular members are permanently axially fixed relative to one another at a fixation location distal to the steerable portion, and wherein the first and second tubular members are adapted to be axially moved relative to one another along the steerable portion to steer the steerable portion in a first direction.

10. The steerable medical delivery device of claim 9 wherein the support structure is a metallic support structure.

11. The steerable medical delivery device of claim 9 wherein the support structure comprises a stiffening element extending along the steerable portion parallel to a longitudinal axis of the steerable portion.

12. The device of claim 9 wherein the first tubular member is disposed within the second tubular member.

13. The device of claim 9 wherein the second tubular member is disposed within the first tubular member.

14. The device of claim 9 wherein the second tubular member comprises a second flexible polymeric tubular member, and the second tubular member is configured to preferentially bend.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein the second flexible polymeric tubular member comprises a wall of solid material along the steerable portion.

16. The device of claim 14 wherein the second tubular member further comprises a support structure embedded in the second flexible polymeric tubular member.

17. A steerable medical delivery device, comprising:

a steerable portion comprising

a first tubular member comprising a flexible polymeric tubular member, the first tubular member configured to preferentially bend; and

a second tubular member, wherein the first tubular member is disposed within the second tubular member;

wherein the first and second tubular members are permanently axially fixed relative to one another at a fixation location distal to the steerable portion, and wherein the first and second tubular members are adapted to be axially moved relative to one another along the steerable portion to steer the steerable portion in a first direction.

18. The device of claim 17 wherein the first tubular member further comprises a support structure embedded in the flexible polymeric tubular member.

19. The device of claim 17 wherein the second tubular member comprises a second flexible polymeric tubular member, and the second tubular member is configured to preferentially bend.

20. The device of claim 19 wherein the second flexible polymeric tubular member comprises a wall of solid material along the steerable portion.

21. The device of claim 17 further comprising a tensioning element disposed along the steerable portion.