EP0306010A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Controllable flexibility catheter with eccentric stiffener
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1988-08-31
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2008-08-31
Abstract
Abstract A guiding catheter (20) of variable, operator-controlled flexibility to be used in the performance of a percutaneous translumenal coronary angioplasty procedure is described which includes an elongate housing (42) suitable for insertion into an artery, as well as an operator-controlled variable stiffener coupled to the distal aspect of the catheter to permit the operator performing the angioplasty procedure to increase the rigidity of the catheter (20). In a preferred embodiment the stiffening apparatus consists of a fluid-filled chamber (50) eccentrically displaced along the longitudinal axis of the catheter housing nearly encompassing the housing that contains a segment capable of asymmetric elongation when subjected to hydrostatic pressure resulting in the development of torque and increased rigidity of the distal end as desired by the operator. Increasing the rigidity of the guiding catheter (20), once installed within the coronary ostium, precludes disengagement of the guiding catheter, thus expediting the performance and enhancing the safety of the procedure.
Inventors
- 👤 John W. Danforth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 03:20
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/01; A61M25/0105; A61M25/0133; A61M25/0155; A61M25/0043; A61M25/0054; A61M25/0021; A61M25/0023; A61M25/0026; A61M2025/0036; A61M2025/0063; A61M2025/0161; A61M25/0032
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
A catheter comprising: an elongate housing having an opening extending from a proximal end to a distal end of its length; and controllable stiffening means coupled to a portion of the length of the elongate housing to provide at least a first higher flexibility of that portion of the elongate housing and a second lower flexibility of that portion of the elongate housing as selected by a user of the catheter, the controllable stiffening means comprising a primary chamber adapted to be filled with a fluid, which chamber is eccentrically disposed around the elongate housing along the portion of the length.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
A catheter comprising: an elongate housing having an opening extending from a proximal end to a distal end of its length; and controllable stiffening means coupled to a portion of the length of the elongate housing to provide at least a first higher flexibility of that portion of the elongate housing and a second lower flexibility of that portion of the elongate housing as selected by a user of the catheter, the controllable stiffening means comprising a primary chamber adapted to be filled with a fluid, which chamber is eccentrically disposed around the elongate housing along the portion of the length.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A catheter as in Claim 1 further comprising a channel extending from the primary chamber to the proximal end to permit pressurization of the primary chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A catheter as in Claim 2 wherein the primary chamber comprises a cylindrical member disposed around the elongate housing and affixed thereto along a portion of the length of the primary chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A catheter as in Claim 2 wherein an outer surface of the primary chamber is capable of asymmetric elongation when subjected to hydrostatic pressure, resulting in the development of torque.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A catheter as in Claim 2 further comprising a secondary chamber disposed along the elongate housing more proximal to the distal end than the primary chamber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A catheter as in Claim 5 further comprising a secondary channel extending adjacent the opening of the elongate housing from the proximal end and coupled to the secondary chamber to permit pressurization thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A catheter as in Claim 6 wherein the secondary chamber is positioned axially offset from the primary chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
A catheter as in Claim 7 wherein an outer surface of the secondary fluid-filled chamber is capable of asymmetric elongation when subjected to hydrostatic pressure resulting in deflection of the tip of the catheter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A catheter as in Claim 1 further comprising an angioplasty dilation catheter disposed within the opening.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
108 words
A method for performing an angioplasty procedure using a guiding catheter having controllable stiffening means comprising a primary chamber adapted to be filled with a fluid which chamber is eccentrically disposed around the guiding catheter and affixed to a portion of the guiding catheter in proximity to the distal end comprising: introducing the guiding catheter to a desired position within a patient; employing the controllable stiffening means to increase the rigidity of the portion of the catheter to which the controllable stiffening means is affixed; performing the angioplasty procedure; employing the controllable stiffening means to reduce the rigidity of the portion of the catheter; and removing the catheter.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
108 words
A method for performing an angioplasty procedure using a guiding catheter having controllable stiffening means comprising a primary chamber adapted to be filled with a fluid which chamber is eccentrically disposed around the guiding catheter and affixed to a portion of the guiding catheter in proximity to the distal end comprising: introducing the guiding catheter to a desired position within a patient; employing the controllable stiffening means to increase the rigidity of the portion of the catheter to which the controllable stiffening means is affixed; performing the angioplasty procedure; employing the controllable stiffening means to reduce the rigidity of the portion of the catheter; and removing the catheter.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
A catheter as in Claim 1 wherein the first higher flexibility causes the catheter to assume a bent configuration.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
A catheter as in Claim 11 wherein the bent configuration is a configuration adapted for manipulating the catheter in a position suitable for the performance of percutaneous coronary angioplasty.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
A catheter as in Claim 1 wherein the portion of the length comprises a region in closer proximity to the distal end than to the proximal end.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
A catheter as in Claim 1 wherein the primary chamber includes at least one kerf therein to allow a sharper radius of curvature at that location.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
A catheter as in Claim 1 wherein the primary chamber includes a region of elastic material to allow a sharper radius of curvature at that location.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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