US5573522A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Spring assembly for catheter
Assignee: EP Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1995-09-14
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Granted: 1996-11-12
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Expires: 2015-09-14
Abstract
Abstract A catheter having a proximal portion and a distal portion terminating in a distal tip, is provided with a spring assembly contained within its distal tip portion for providing a bias against side to side deflection of said distal tip. The assembly preferably includes a central wire having a first diameter, which central wire extends from the proximal portion of the catheter to the distal portion, and a plurality of wires secured to the central wire adjacent the distal end thereof. Each of the wires is stranded together, preferably twisted helically, around the central wire and preferably has a second diameter substantially smaller than the first diameter. Alternatively, the stranded wires can be attached along and parallel to the larger diameter wire, and the latter wire is of a substantially greater length than the stranded wires.
Inventors
- 👤 Russell A. Houser
- 👤 Russell B. Thompson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 17:22
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/0021; A61M25/0041; A61M25/01; A61M25/0105; A61M25/0133; A61M25/09; A61M2025/09191
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
A catheter having a proximal portion and a distal portion terminating in a distal tip, and at least one interior lumen extending axially therethrough, a spring assembly contained within said lumen in said distal portion, said spring assembly providing a bias for return of said distal portion, if deflected, to a preselected orientation, said assembly comprising a plurality of stranded elongated wires positioned axially within said distal portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
68 words
A catheter having a proximal portion and a distal portion terminating in a distal tip, and at least one interior lumen extending axially therethrough, a spring assembly contained within said lumen in said distal portion, said spring assembly providing a bias for return of said distal portion, if deflected, to a preselected orientation, said assembly comprising a plurality of stranded elongated wires positioned axially within said distal portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
A catheter according to claim 1 wherein said wires comprise a metal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
A catheter according to claim 2 wherein said wires comprise stainless steel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
99 words
A catheter having a proximal portion and a distal portion terminating in a distal tip, a spring assembly contained within said distal tip portion for providing a bias against side to side deflection of said distal tip, said assembly comprising a central wire having a first diameter, said central wire extending from said proximal portion of said catheter to said distal portion, and a plurality of wires secured to said central wire adjacent the distal end thereof, each of said wires being twisted helically around said central wire and having a second diameter substantially smaller than said first diameter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
99 words
A catheter having a proximal portion and a distal portion terminating in a distal tip, a spring assembly contained within said distal tip portion for providing a bias against side to side deflection of said distal tip, said assembly comprising a central wire having a first diameter, said central wire extending from said proximal portion of said catheter to said distal portion, and a plurality of wires secured to said central wire adjacent the distal end thereof, each of said wires being twisted helically around said central wire and having a second diameter substantially smaller than said first diameter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A catheter according to claim 4 wherein said spring assembly is curved into a preselected radius of curvature.
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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) | 1999-11-12 | 2000-05-13 | 2000-11-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-11-12 | 2004-05-13 | 2004-11-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-11-12 | 2008-05-13 | 2008-11-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |