STEERABLE DELIVERY SHEATHS
First Claim
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1. A steerable medical device, comprising:
- a first flexible polymeric tubular member;
a second flexible polymeric tubular member, disposed within the first tubular member;
a steerable portion comprising the first and second flexible polymeric tubular members, the first and second flexible polymeric tubular members configured to preferentially bend in the steerable portion, and wherein the first and second flexible polymeric tubular members are permanently axially fixed relative to one another at a fixation location distal to the steerable portion,wherein the second flexible polymeric tubular member, in a cross section in the steerable portion, has a first section of a first material with a first durometer and a second section of a second material with a second durometer different than the first durometer; and
an external controller that is configured to, upon actuation, axially move at least one of the first and second flexible polymeric tubular members relative to the other at a location proximal to the steerable portion to cause relative axial movement between the first and second tubular members in the steerable portion, wherein the relative axial movement between the first and second flexible polymeric tubular members causes the steerable portion to bend.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Steerable medical delivery devices and their methods of use.
29 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A steerable medical device, comprising:
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a first flexible polymeric tubular member; a second flexible polymeric tubular member, disposed within the first tubular member; a steerable portion comprising the first and second flexible polymeric tubular members, the first and second flexible polymeric tubular members configured to preferentially bend in the steerable portion, and wherein the first and second flexible polymeric tubular members are permanently axially fixed relative to one another at a fixation location distal to the steerable portion, wherein the second flexible polymeric tubular member, in a cross section in the steerable portion, has a first section of a first material with a first durometer and a second section of a second material with a second durometer different than the first durometer; and an external controller that is configured to, upon actuation, axially move at least one of the first and second flexible polymeric tubular members relative to the other at a location proximal to the steerable portion to cause relative axial movement between the first and second tubular members in the steerable portion, wherein the relative axial movement between the first and second flexible polymeric tubular members causes the steerable portion to bend. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A steerable medical device, comprising:
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a steerable portion comprising an outer tubular member and an inner tubular member, wherein the inner tubular member is disposed radially within the outer tubular member, wherein the outer tubular member includes at least one outer slot therein to define an outer spine, wherein the inner tubular member includes at least one inner slot therein to define an inner spine, the inner and outer spines being offset relative to one another, wherein the outer tubular member and the inner tubular member are axially movable relative to one another along the steerable portion and are axially fixed relative to one another at a location distal to the steerable portion; and an external controller that is configured to, upon actuation, axially move at least one of the first and second tubular members relative to the other at a location proximal to the steerable portion to cause relative axial movement between the first and second tubular members in the steerable portion, wherein the relative axial movement between the first and second tubular members causes the steerable portion to bend. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7)
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8. A steerable medical device, comprising:
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a steerable portion comprising an outer tubular member and an inner tubular member, wherein the inner tubular member is disposed radially within the outer tubular member, wherein the outer tubular member includes at least one outer slot therein to define an outer spine, wherein the outer tubular member and the inner tubular member are axially movable relative to one another along the steerable portion and are permanently axially fixed relative to one another at a location distal to the steerable portion, wherein the outer slot includes a first interlocking element and a second interlocking element each adapted to allow relative movement therebetween when in a first configuration and each further adapted to prevent movement therebetween at least along a first axis when in a second configuration; and an external controller that is configured to, upon actuation, axially move at least one of the first and second tubular members relative to the other at a location proximal to the steerable portion to cause relative axial movement between the first and second tubular members in the steerable portion, wherein the relative axial movement between the first and second tubular members causes the steerable portion to bend. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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Specification