Method and apparatus for manipulating movement of a micro-catheter

• US 9,144,664 B2
• Filed: 10/01/2010
• Issued: 09/29/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: SARCOS LC (Sarcos Technology & Robotics Corp.)
• Original Assignee: SARCOS LC (Sarcos Technology & Robotics Corp.)
• Inventors: Jacobsen, Stephen C., Smith, Fraser M.
• Primary Examiner(s): BOUCHELLE, LAURA A
• Application Number:
  US12/896,732
• Publication Number:
  US 20110245765A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,824 Days
• Field of Search: 604/95.01, 604/500, 604/95.02, 604/43, 604/264, 604/528, 604/122
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/015 Control of fluid supply or evacuation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/055 having rod-lens arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/3137 for examination of the interior of blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0042 Microcatheters, cannula or the like having outside diameters around 1 mm or less
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0102 Insertion or introduction using an inner stiffening member, e.g. stylet or push-rod
• 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 25/0155 with hydraulic or pneumatic means, e.g. balloons or inflatable compartments

Abstract

A medical device and method for manipulating movement of a micro-catheter, the device comprising an elongated tubular member having at least one lumen therein, wherein the lumen is proximally coupled to a pressurized fluid control system configured to regulate fluid flow through the elongated tubular member. An aperture is disposed near a distal end of the elongated tubular member, the aperture being in fluid communication with the at least one lumen. In one aspect, the aperture is oriented at an angle which is non parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated tubular member. A nozzle is coupled to the aperture, wherein the nozzle is configured to regulate pressurized flow out of the catheter to manipulate movement of the distal end of the elongated tubular member.

Claims

1. A method of manipulating movement of a device within a patient comprising:

advancing an elongate tubular member into the patient, the elongate tubular member comprising;

(i) at least one lumen therein, wherein the at least one lumen is proximally coupled to a pressurized fluid control system configured to regulate fluid flow through the elongate tubular member;

(ii) a tapered recess disposed within the elongate tubular member and near a distal end of the elongate tubular member, the tapered recess having a bottom wall that is non-parallel to a longitudinal axis of the elongate tubular member, a back wall disposed at a distal end of the tapered recess, and a pair of opposing sidewalls extending from a front of the tapered recess to the back wall that enclose an aperture therein;

wherein the aperture is disposed near a distal end of the recess in fluid communication with the at least one lumen and within the tapered recess;

(iii) a nozzle in fluid communication with the aperture, wherein the nozzle is configured to regulate pressurized flow out of the elongate tubular member to manipulate movement of the distal end of the elongate tubular member; and

transmitting a pressurized fluid from the pressurized fluid control system through the at least one lumen and out of the nozzle.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the elongate tubular member comprises a plurality of apertures having nozzles disposed near a distal end of the elongate tubular member in fluid communication with the at least one lumen.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the elongate tubular member comprises a plurality of lumens and a plurality of apertures, wherein each lumen is in fluid communication with each aperture.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the micro-catheter comprises a flexible distal segment and a semi-rigid proximal segment.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the micro-catheter further comprises at least one SSID disposed on the distal end of the micro-catheter and at least one lens disposed on a distal end of the SSID.

6. A method of manipulating movement of a micro-catheter within a patient comprising:

advancing a micro-catheter into a patient, the micro-catheter comprising;

(i) a closed distal end and at least one lumen therein;

(ii) first and second tapered recesses disposed near a distal end of the micro-catheter wherein the first tapered recess is disposed distal from the second tapered recess along the longitudinal axis of the micro-catheter;

(iii) a first aperture disposed within the first tapered recess, the aperture being in fluid communication with the at least one lumen;

(iv) a second aperture disposed within the second tapered recess, the second aperture being in fluid communication with the at least one lumen; and

(v) first and second nozzles in fluid communication with the first and second apertures, wherein the nozzles are configured to regulate pressurized flow out of the micro-catheter to manipulate movement of the distal end of the micro-catheter;

bending a distal portion of the micro-catheter in a controlled manner by creating a first fluid-flow-induced moment force on a distal end of the micro-catheter, wherein the first fluid-flow-induced moment force is created and controlled by injecting a pressure-regulated fluid through the micro-catheter and out of the first aperture; and

creating a second fluid-flow-induced moment force by injecting fluid through the second aperture, the direction of the second fluid-flow-induced moment force being different than the direction of first fluid-flow-induced moment force.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the direction of the second fluid-flow-induced moment force is about opposite the direction of the first fluid-flow-induced moment force.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the first and second apertures are operatively connected to a single fluid source.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the first and second recesses are disposed in substantially different directions.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the direction of the second fluid-flow-induced moment force is non parallel to the first fluid-flow-induced moment force.

11. The method of claim 6, wherein the direction of the second fluid-flow-induced moment force is about opposite the direction of the first fluid-flow-induced moment force.

12. The method claim of 6, wherein the first fluid-flow-induced moment force is greater than the second fluid-flow-induced moment force.

13. The method of claim 6, wherein the direction of fluid flow emanating from the first or second aperture is adjustable.