US4726772A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Medical simulator
Assignee: Medi Tech Inc
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Filing: 1986-12-01
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Granted: 1988-02-23
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Expires: 2006-12-01
Abstract
Abstract A medical simulator for enabling demonstration, trial and test of insertion of torqueable elongated members into small body passages that branch from main passages is disclosed. Such torqueable members may be guide wires or catheters which are constructed to cause the distal tip to turn or twist in response to a corresponding motion applied by the operator to a proximal portion of the device.
Inventors
- 👤 Kurt Amplatz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 01:31
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B23/00; G09B23/28; G09B23/285
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
A medical simulator comprising: an extended support surface, a length of hollow tubing extending in a curved pattern along and secured to said support surface in a manner to simulate a main lumen of the body, indicia along the length of said tubing providing a visual suggestion of a series of branch lumens joined to said main lumen at a representative variety of positions, apertures in the wall of said tubing corresponding to said indicated branch lumens, said tubing having at least one open end and sized to enable insertion and passage of a torqueable elongated member and said apertures sized to permit entry of the distal tip of said elongated member, said tubing having a light-transmissive wall through which the operator can observe the progress of said torqueable member, whereby the operator can maneuver the torqueable member to pass along the curved pattern of said tubing and into said apertures thereby to simulate fluoroscopically-controlled entry into a branch lumen of the body at selected places along a main lumen.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
170 words
A medical simulator comprising: an extended support surface, a length of hollow tubing extending in a curved pattern along and secured to said support surface in a manner to simulate a main lumen of the body, indicia along the length of said tubing providing a visual suggestion of a series of branch lumens joined to said main lumen at a representative variety of positions, apertures in the wall of said tubing corresponding to said indicated branch lumens, said tubing having at least one open end and sized to enable insertion and passage of a torqueable elongated member and said apertures sized to permit entry of the distal tip of said elongated member, said tubing having a light-transmissive wall through which the operator can observe the progress of said torqueable member, whereby the operator can maneuver the torqueable member to pass along the curved pattern of said tubing and into said apertures thereby to simulate fluoroscopically-controlled entry into a branch lumen of the body at selected places along a main lumen.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The medical simulator of claim 1 wherein said apertures open into an unconfined space visible to the operator whereby when he sees the tip of the torqueable member emerge through the aperture into such space, knows that the aperture has been successfully entered.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The simulator of claim 1 or 2 wherein said apertures are positioned on the inside and outside of curved portions of said tubing and on straight portions preceding and following a curved portion of the tubing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The simulator of claim 1 wherein said tubing is sized for passage of a torqueable guide wire.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The simulator of claim 1 wherein said tubing is sized for passage of a torqueable catheter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The simulator of claim 1 wherein said tubing is comprised of clear plastic.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The simulator of claim 1 wherein said indicia comprise a representation, in a color contrasting with that of the support, of a main lumen of the body and of branch lumens joined thereto.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The simulator of claim 6 wherein said indicia are red and are suggestive of main and branch lumens of a blood vessel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
The simulator of claim 1 in which there are additional such tubings joined to said apertures to represent branch lumens, the walls of said branch tubings also having apertures to simulate further branching of the lumen system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The simulator of claim 1 including responsive devices located at said apertures for automatically informing the operator of successful entry.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The simulator of claim 10 wherein said responsive devices are conjoined with a timing mechanism thereby to enable an operator to determine his skill and speed in successfully negotiating the simulator.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
134 words
A medical simulator comprising: a straight length of hollow, rigid tubing to simulate a main lumen of the body, apertures in the wall of said tubing to which further straight lengths of hollow, rigid tubing are secured at a variety of angles to simulate first branch lumens, said tubing having at least one open end and sized to enable insertion and passage of a torqueable elongated member and said apertures sized to permit entry of the distal tip of said elongated member, said tubing having a light-transmissive wall through which the operator can observe the progress of said torqueable member, whereby the operator can maneuver the torqueable member to pass along the pattern of said tubing to simulate fluoroscopically-controlled entry into a branch lumen of the body at selected places along a main lumen.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
134 words
A medical simulator comprising: a straight length of hollow, rigid tubing to simulate a main lumen of the body, apertures in the wall of said tubing to which further straight lengths of hollow, rigid tubing are secured at a variety of angles to simulate first branch lumens, said tubing having at least one open end and sized to enable insertion and passage of a torqueable elongated member and said apertures sized to permit entry of the distal tip of said elongated member, said tubing having a light-transmissive wall through which the operator can observe the progress of said torqueable member, whereby the operator can maneuver the torqueable member to pass along the pattern of said tubing to simulate fluoroscopically-controlled entry into a branch lumen of the body at selected places along a main lumen.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
The simulator of claim 12 wherein there are apertures in the wall of the first branch sections of tubings, to which further lengths of hollow, rigid tubing are secured at a variety of angles to simulate second branch lumens.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The simulator of claim 12 or 13 wherein said lengths of tubing are rigid, each being of constant diameter throughout its length.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-02-22 | 1991-08-24 | 1992-02-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-02-22 | 1995-08-24 | 1996-02-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-02-22 | 1999-08-24 | 2000-02-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |