Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
247 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 having a noncircular cross-section with a height and a width, wherein said width is greater than said height; locating a reinforcing wire having a noncircular cross-section with a height and a width in said second longitudinal lumen substantially along the entire length of said second lumen, wherein said width of said wire is greater than said height of said wire; locating a cutter at a distal end of said tubular member, said cutter having a cutting edge extending between first and second locations outside of said first lumen and movable in a cutting plane; and affixing means for manipulating said cutter to a proximal end of said tubular member said second lumen receiving said reinforcing wire in a manner for resisting movement of said cutting edge out of said cutting plane, said reinforcing wire having a first cross-sectional moment of inertia with respect to a bending axis normal to said cutting plane, said reinforcing wire 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.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
247 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 having a noncircular cross-section with a height and a width, wherein said width is greater than said height; locating a reinforcing wire having a noncircular cross-section with a height and a width in said second longitudinal lumen substantially along the entire length of said second lumen, wherein said width of said wire is greater than said height of said wire; locating a cutter at a distal end of said tubular member, said cutter having a cutting edge extending between first and second locations outside of said first lumen and movable in a cutting plane; and affixing means for manipulating said cutter to a proximal end of said tubular member said second lumen receiving said reinforcing wire in a manner for resisting movement of said cutting edge out of said cutting plane, said reinforcing wire having a first cross-sectional moment of inertia with respect to a bending axis normal to said cutting plane, said reinforcing wire 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.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said extruding step includes forming said second longitudinal lumen with a rectangular cross sectional shape and wherein said reinforcing wire has a rectangular cross-sectional shape corresponding to said cross-sectional shape of said second lumen.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 2 wherein during said extruding step said tubular member is extruded from tetrafluoroethelene.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of locating said reinforcing wire in said second longitudinal lumen occurs after said extruding step.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of locating said reinforcing wire in said second longitudinal lumen occurs simultaneously with said extruding step.