US5334168A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Variable shape guide apparatus
Assignee: Catheter Research Inc
•
Filing: 1993-06-11
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Granted: 1994-08-02
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Expires: 2013-06-11
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus includes a flexible, elongated tubular member and a tube arranged to lie inside the tubular member. The tube has a lumen extending along the central axis of the tubular member. In one embodiment, the tube is made of a temperature-activated shape memory metal. In another embodiment, the tube is made of superelastic nitinol.
Inventors
- 👤 Chad G. Hemmer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 06:44
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/01; A61M25/0105; A61M25/0133; A61M25/0158
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
An apparatus comprising a flexible, elongated tubular member having a central axis extending longitudinally therethrough, a nickel titanium tube arranged in the tubular member to extend along the central axis of the tubular member and formed to include a lumen extending therethrough, and control means for selectively heating the nickel titanium tube to move the nickel titanium tube to assume a predetermined shape, thereby moving the tubular member so that it assumes a corresponding predetermined shape.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
76 words
An apparatus comprising a flexible, elongated tubular member having a central axis extending longitudinally therethrough, a nickel titanium tube arranged in the tubular member to extend along the central axis of the tubular member and formed to include a lumen extending therethrough, and control means for selectively heating the nickel titanium tube to move the nickel titanium tube to assume a predetermined shape, thereby moving the tubular member so that it assumes a corresponding predetermined shape.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the nickel titanium tube includes a cylindrical inner wall defining the boundary of the lumen and the apparatus further comprises a tubular insulative sleeve positioned inside the lumen of the nickel titanium tube and appended to the cylindrical inner wall.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the tubular insulative sleeve is formed to include a through lumen situated inside the lumen formed in the nickel titanium tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the nickel titanium tube is made of superelastic nitinol.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
92 words
An apparatus comprising a flexible, elongated tubular member having a central axis extending longitudinally therethrough, a tube made of temperature-activated shape memory material and formed to include a lumen extending therethrough, the tube being arranged to lie inside the tubular member and positioned to cause the lumen to extend along the central axis of the tubular member, and control means for selectively heating the tube made of shape memory material to move the tube to assume a predetermined shape, thereby moving the tubular member so that it assumes a corresponding predetermined shape.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
92 words
An apparatus comprising a flexible, elongated tubular member having a central axis extending longitudinally therethrough, a tube made of temperature-activated shape memory material and formed to include a lumen extending therethrough, the tube being arranged to lie inside the tubular member and positioned to cause the lumen to extend along the central axis of the tubular member, and control means for selectively heating the tube made of shape memory material to move the tube to assume a predetermined shape, thereby moving the tubular member so that it assumes a corresponding predetermined shape.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the temperature-activated shape memory material is nickel titanium.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the tube includes a cylindrical inner wall defining the boundary of the lumen and the apparatus further comprises a tubular insulative sleeve positioned inside the lumen of the tube and appended to the cylindrical inner wall.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the tubular inner sleeve is formed to include a through lumen situated inside the lumen formed in the tube.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the tubular member includes an outer sleeve around the tube and an inner sleeve inside the lumen formed in the tube.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the inner sleeve is formed to include a through lumen extending along the central axis of the tubular member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the tube includes a cylindrical outer wall defining an outer surface of the tube and a cylindrical inner wall defining the boundary of the lumen, the outer sleeve is appended to the cylindrical outer wall, and the inner sleeve is appended to the cylindrical inner wall.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
56 words
An apparatus comprising a flexible, elongated tubular member having a central axis extending longitudinally therethrough, and a tube made of superelastic nitinol and formed to include a lumen extending therethrough, the tube being arranged to lie inside the tubular member and positioned to cause the lumen to extend along the central axis of the tubular member.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
56 words
An apparatus comprising a flexible, elongated tubular member having a central axis extending longitudinally therethrough, and a tube made of superelastic nitinol and formed to include a lumen extending therethrough, the tube being arranged to lie inside the tubular member and positioned to cause the lumen to extend along the central axis of the tubular member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the tubular member is formed to include an interior side wall defining a passageway extending longitudinally along the central axis therethrough and the tube includes an exterior side wall extending longitudinally along the central axis of the tubular member and engaging the interior side wall of the tubular member.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-08-01 | 1998-01-31 | 1998-08-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-08-01 | 2002-01-31 | 2002-08-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-08-01 | 2006-01-31 | 2006-08-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |