Multi-catheter steerable guiding system and methods of use
First Claim
1. A multi-catheter guiding system for accessing a body cavity comprising:
- an outer guiding catheter having a proximal end, a distal end and a central lumen therethrough, the outer guiding catheter capable of forming a curve of the outer guiding catheter;
an inner guiding catheter positionable at least partially within the central lumen of the outer guiding catheter, the inner guiding catheter capable of forming a curve of the inner guiding catheter which differs from the curve of the outer guiding catheter; and
a steering mechanism which forms the curve in the inner guiding catheter or the outer guiding catheter upon actuation,wherein the steering mechanism forms the curve of the inner guiding catheter and the curve of the outer guiding catheter is formed by shape memory.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Devices, systems, methods and kits are provided for endoscopically accessing a body cavity and providing a directed pathway toward a target tissue within the cavity. The directed pathway is provided by a multi-catheter guiding system which is positioned in a desired configuration, generally directed toward the target tissue. Interventional devices may then be passed through the guiding system to the target tissue. Depending on the location of the target tissue and the desired angle of approach, the guiding system may be required to maintain one or more curves in one or more planes to properly direct the interventional devices. The multi-catheter guiding system of the present invention comprises an outer guiding catheter and a coaxially positioned inner guiding catheter, each of which independently form curvatures so that together the curves properly direct the interventional device.
647 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A multi-catheter guiding system for accessing a body cavity comprising:
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an outer guiding catheter having a proximal end, a distal end and a central lumen therethrough, the outer guiding catheter capable of forming a curve of the outer guiding catheter; an inner guiding catheter positionable at least partially within the central lumen of the outer guiding catheter, the inner guiding catheter capable of forming a curve of the inner guiding catheter which differs from the curve of the outer guiding catheter; and a steering mechanism which forms the curve in the inner guiding catheter or the outer guiding catheter upon actuation, wherein the steering mechanism forms the curve of the inner guiding catheter and the curve of the outer guiding catheter is formed by shape memory. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A multi-catheter guiding system for accessing a body cavity comprising:
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an outer guiding catheter having a proximal end, a distal end and a central lumen therethrough, the outer guiding catheter forming a curve of the outer guiding catheter; an inner guiding catheter positionable at least partially within the central lumen of the outer guiding catheter, the inner guiding catheter forming a curve of the inner guiding catheter which differs from the curve of the outer guiding catheter; and a steering mechanism which forms the curve in the inner guiding catheter or the outer guiding catheter upon actuation, wherein the steering mechanism comprises at least two pullwires attached to at least one of the guiding catheters, wherein actuation of the steering mechanism comprises applying tension to at least one of the two pullwires whereby the curve of the inner guiding catheter or the outer guiding catheter is formed, and wherein the at least two pullwires are attached to the at least one of the guiding catheters in diametrically opposed locations, wherein applying tension to one of the pullwires curves the at least one of the guiding catheters in a first direction and applying tension to the pullwire attached in the diametrically opposed location curves the at least one of the guiding catheters in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and wherein the steering mechanism forms the curve in the outer guiding catheter and the curve in the inner guiding catheter is formed by shape memory. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification