Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
208 words
A medical sphincterotome, comprising: an elongated multi-lumen tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end and being sized to be received in an endoscopic lumen; a cutter having a cutting edge located along said distal end of said tubular member and oriented generally longitudinally with respect to said tubular member, wherein said cutting edge is movable in a cutting plane to cut a patient's sphincter, said cutter being connected to a conductor disposed in a first longitudinal lumen in said tubular member; a second longitudinal lumen along the length of said tubular member for receiving reinforcing means; and reinforcing means disposed in said second longitudinal lumen for resisting movement of said cutting edge out of said cutting plane, said reinforcing means having a first cross-sectional moment of inertia with respect to a bending axis normal to said cutting plane, said reinforcing means further having a second cross-sectional moment of inertia with respect to a resisting axis lying along said cutting plane and generally perpendicular to said tubular member, wherein said second moment of inertia is greater than said first moment of inertia along said distal end to resist bending out of said cutting plane to provided controlled cutting of the patient's sphincter along said cutting plane.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
208 words
A medical sphincterotome, comprising: an elongated multi-lumen tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end and being sized to be received in an endoscopic lumen; a cutter having a cutting edge located along said distal end of said tubular member and oriented generally longitudinally with respect to said tubular member, wherein said cutting edge is movable in a cutting plane to cut a patient's sphincter, said cutter being connected to a conductor disposed in a first longitudinal lumen in said tubular member; a second longitudinal lumen along the length of said tubular member for receiving reinforcing means; and reinforcing means disposed in said second longitudinal lumen for resisting movement of said cutting edge out of said cutting plane, said reinforcing means having a first cross-sectional moment of inertia with respect to a bending axis normal to said cutting plane, said reinforcing means further having a second cross-sectional moment of inertia with respect to a resisting axis lying along said cutting plane and generally perpendicular to said tubular member, wherein said second moment of inertia is greater than said first moment of inertia along said distal end to resist bending out of said cutting plane to provided controlled cutting of the patient's sphincter along said cutting plane.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The sphincterotome of claim 1 wherein said reinforcing means comprises a cross-sectionally rectangular wire.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The sphincterotome of claim 2 wherein said second longitudinal lumen has a rectangular cross-section corresponding to the cross-section of said reinforcing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The sphincterotome of claim 3 wherein said first longitudinal lumen has an opening at said distal end of said tubular member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The sphincterotome of claim 4 and further comprising indicating means at said distal end of said tubular member for providing visual indication of the position of said distal end in the patient.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The sphincterotome of claim 5 wherein said cutter comprises a wire bowed between first and second locations at said distal end outside of said first longitudinal lumen.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The sphincterotome of claim 1 wherein said second longitudinal lumen has a rectangular cross-section.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The sphincterotome of claim 1 wherein said first longitudinal lumen has an opening at said distal end of said tubular member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The sphincterotome of claim 1 and further comprising indicating means at said distal end of said tubular member for providing visual indication of the position of said distal end in the patient.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The sphincterotome of claim 1 wherein said cutter comprises a wire bowed between first and second locations at said distal end outside of said first longitudinal lumen.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
137 words
A method of fabricating a medical sphincterotome, comprising the steps of: extruding an elongated multi-lumen tubular member having a first longitudinal lumen and a second longitudinal lumen, said tubular member having a small outer cross-sectional dimension receivable in an endoscopic lumen, said second lumen in said tubular member being cross-sectionally rectangular with a height and a width greater than said height; locating a reinforcing wire having a rectangular cross-section in and corresponding to said second longitudinal lumen substantially along the entire length of said lumen; locating a cutter having a conductor through said first longitudinal lumen and forming a cutter bow with said cutter at a distal end of said tubular member between first and second locations outside of said first lumen; and affixing means for manipulating said cutter to a proximal end of said tubular member.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
137 words
A method of fabricating a medical sphincterotome, comprising the steps of: extruding an elongated multi-lumen tubular member having a first longitudinal lumen and a second longitudinal lumen, said tubular member having a small outer cross-sectional dimension receivable in an endoscopic lumen, said second lumen in said tubular member being cross-sectionally rectangular with a height and a width greater than said height; locating a reinforcing wire having a rectangular cross-section in and corresponding to said second longitudinal lumen substantially along the entire length of said lumen; locating a cutter having a conductor through said first longitudinal lumen and forming a cutter bow with said cutter at a distal end of said tubular member between first and second locations outside of said first lumen; and affixing means for manipulating said cutter to a proximal end of said tubular member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said extruding step including forming said first longitudinal lumen with a half-circle cross sectional shape.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 12 wherein during said extruding step said tubular member is extruded from tetrafluoroethelene.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said step of locating said reinforcing wire in said second longitudinal lumen occurs after said extruding step.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said step of locating said reinforcing wire in said second longitudinal lumen occurs simultaneously with said extruding step.