US5746692A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Catheter and endoscope system with distal protruding ball tip and method
Assignee: Imagen Medical Inc
•
Filing: 1996-04-08
•
Granted: 1998-05-05
•
Expires: 2016-04-08
Abstract
Abstract A method of viewing an interior passage of a patient using an endoscope and a catheter which includes a catheter body having a distal end and a lumen opening at the distal end and a displacing member. The method comprises advancing the catheter into the passage in the patient with the displacing member extending beyond the distal end of the catheter body when the catheter body is at a region of the passage. The endoscope is provided in the lumen of the catheter with the endoscope being movable longitudinally relative to the catheter and being at a location for viewing the interior passage. The method includes relatively displacing the distal end of the catheter body and material within or forming the passage within a zone of the interior passage utilizing the displacing member and viewing at least a portion of such zone of the interior passage utilizing the endoscope.
Inventors
- 👤 Steven R. Bacich
- 👤 Tuoc Tan Nguyen
- 👤 John Patrick Greelis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 14:34
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/012; A61B1/018; A61B1/00064; A61B1/00071; A61B1/0008; A61B1/00087; A61B1/303; A61B1/32; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/01; A61B17/00; A61B17/42; A61B2017/4233; A61M25/09; A61M2025/09175; A61M2025/09183
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 47
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
A method of viewing an interior passage of a patient using an endoscope and a catheter which includes a catheter body having a distal end and a lumen opening at the distal end and a displacing member, said method comprising: advancing the catheter into the passage in the patient with the displacing member extending beyond the distal end of the catheter body when the catheter body is at a region of the passage; providing the endoscope in the lumen of the catheter body with the endoscope being movable longitudinally relative to the catheter body; relatively displacing the distal end of the catheter body and material within or forming the passage within a zone of the interior passage utilizing the displacing member; and viewing at least a portion of said zone of the interior passage utilizing the endoscope while the distal end of the catheter body and said material are relatively displaced.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
151 words
A method of viewing an interior passage of a patient using an endoscope and a catheter which includes a catheter body having a distal end and a lumen opening at the distal end and a displacing member, said method comprising: advancing the catheter into the passage in the patient with the displacing member extending beyond the distal end of the catheter body when the catheter body is at a region of the passage; providing the endoscope in the lumen of the catheter body with the endoscope being movable longitudinally relative to the catheter body; relatively displacing the distal end of the catheter body and material within or forming the passage within a zone of the interior passage utilizing the displacing member; and viewing at least a portion of said zone of the interior passage utilizing the endoscope while the distal end of the catheter body and said material are relatively displaced.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method a defined in claim 1 wherein the step of providing includes advancing the endoscope relative to the catheter body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the step of relatively displacing includes moving the catheter body relative to the endoscope.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as defined in claim 1 including moving the displacing member longitudinally relative to the catheter body.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
80 words
A method as defined in claim 4 wherein the displacing member includes a rounded enlargement, said step of advancing the catheter body is carried out with the enlargement relatively close to the distal end of the catheter body to aid the advancing movement of the catheter body in the interior passage and the method includes moving the displacing member to move the enlargement farther distally of the distal end of the catheter body following the step of advancing the catheter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the interior passage has a curve, the displacing member extends beyond the distal end of the catheter body when the catheter body is near the curve and including using the displacing member to at least assist in guiding the catheter body at least part way through the curve during the step of advancing the catheter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the step of displacing includes moving the displacing member longitudinally relative to the catheter body.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the step of relatively displacing includes rotating the displacing member relative to the catheter body.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the interior passage is a fallopian tube.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the interior passage is the gastrointestinal tract.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the interior passage is a passage in the vascular system.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the interior passage is a neural passage.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the interior passage is an epidural passage.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the interior passage is a passage in the urinary tract.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as defined in claim 1 including introducing at least one of a fluid and an elongated medical instrument through the lumen to the interior passage.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as defined in claim 1 including carrying out said step of providing before said step of advancing.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as defined in claim 1 including carrying out said step of providing after said step of advancing.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
197 words
A method of viewing an interior passage of a patient using a catheter which includes a catheter body having a distal end and a lumen opening at the distal end and an elongated displacing member movable longitudinally relative to the catheter body and having a rounded enlargement, said method comprising: placing the catheter body and displacing member into the interior passage in the patient; advancing the catheter body with the enlargement relatively close to the distal end of the catheter body to aid the advancing movement of the catheter body in the interior passage; relatively moving the displacing member and the catheter body to move the enlargement farther distally of the distal end of the catheter body following at least a portion of the step of advancing the catheter body; providing an endoscope in the lumen of the catheter body; relatively displacing the distal end of the catheter body and material within or forming the passage within a zone of the interior passage utilizing the displacing member; and viewing at least a portion of said zone of the interior passage utilizing the endoscope while the distal end of the catheter body and said material are relatively displaced.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
197 words
A method of viewing an interior passage of a patient using a catheter which includes a catheter body having a distal end and a lumen opening at the distal end and an elongated displacing member movable longitudinally relative to the catheter body and having a rounded enlargement, said method comprising: placing the catheter body and displacing member into the interior passage in the patient; advancing the catheter body with the enlargement relatively close to the distal end of the catheter body to aid the advancing movement of the catheter body in the interior passage; relatively moving the displacing member and the catheter body to move the enlargement farther distally of the distal end of the catheter body following at least a portion of the step of advancing the catheter body; providing an endoscope in the lumen of the catheter body; relatively displacing the distal end of the catheter body and material within or forming the passage within a zone of the interior passage utilizing the displacing member; and viewing at least a portion of said zone of the interior passage utilizing the endoscope while the distal end of the catheter body and said material are relatively displaced.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as defined in claim 18 wherein the step of advancing includes moving the catheter body over a guidewire.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as defined in claim 19 wherein the step of moving is carried out while guiding the enlargement over the guidewire with a longitudinally extending guiding surface of the enlargement.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
148 words
A method of viewing an interior passage of a patient using an endoscope and a catheter which includes a catheter body having a distal end and a lumen opening at the distal end and a displacing member, said method comprising: advancing the catheter into the passage in the patient with the displacing member extending beyond the distal end of the catheter body when the catheter body is at a region of the passage; providing the endoscope along the catheter body with the endoscope being movable longitudinally relative to the catheter body; relatively displacing the distal end of the catheter body and material within or forming the passage within a zone of the interior passage utilizing the displacing member; and viewing at least a portion of said zone of the interior passage utilizing the endoscope while the distal end of the catheter body and said material are relatively displaced.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
148 words
A method of viewing an interior passage of a patient using an endoscope and a catheter which includes a catheter body having a distal end and a lumen opening at the distal end and a displacing member, said method comprising: advancing the catheter into the passage in the patient with the displacing member extending beyond the distal end of the catheter body when the catheter body is at a region of the passage; providing the endoscope along the catheter body with the endoscope being movable longitudinally relative to the catheter body; relatively displacing the distal end of the catheter body and material within or forming the passage within a zone of the interior passage utilizing the displacing member; and viewing at least a portion of said zone of the interior passage utilizing the endoscope while the distal end of the catheter body and said material are relatively displaced.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as defined in claim 21 wherein the displacing member includes a rounded enlargement which is spaced from the distal end of the catheter body from about 1 to about 6 millimeters.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
149 words
A method of viewing an interior passage of a patient using an endoscope and a catheter which includes a catheter body having a distal end and a lumen opening at the distal end and an elongated resilient member, said method comprising: advancing the catheter into the passage in the patient with the resilient member extending beyond the distal end of the catheter body when the catheter body is at a region of the passage; providing the endoscope along the catheter body with the endoscope being movable longitudinally relative to the catheter body; relatively displacing the distal end of the catheter body and material within or forming the passage within a zone of the interior passage utilizing the resilient member; and viewing at least a portion of said zone of the interior passage utilizing the endoscope while the distal end of the catheter body and said material are relatively displaced.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
149 words
A method of viewing an interior passage of a patient using an endoscope and a catheter which includes a catheter body having a distal end and a lumen opening at the distal end and an elongated resilient member, said method comprising: advancing the catheter into the passage in the patient with the resilient member extending beyond the distal end of the catheter body when the catheter body is at a region of the passage; providing the endoscope along the catheter body with the endoscope being movable longitudinally relative to the catheter body; relatively displacing the distal end of the catheter body and material within or forming the passage within a zone of the interior passage utilizing the resilient member; and viewing at least a portion of said zone of the interior passage utilizing the endoscope while the distal end of the catheter body and said material are relatively displaced.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
144 words
An apparatus for viewing an interior passage of a patient comprising: a catheter including an elongated catheter body adapted to be received in the interior passage and a displacing member, said catheter body having a distal end and a lumen extending to the distal end, said displacing member being carried by the catheter body and extending longitudinally beyond the distal end of the catheter body; an endoscope positionable within the lumen of the catheter body, said endoscope being movable longitudinally within the lumen relative to the catheter body to a location for viewing a zone of the interior passage when the catheter body is within the interior passage; and said displacing member being capable of contacting material within or forming the passage and relatively displacing the distal end of the catheter body and such material to facilitate viewing of said zone with the endoscope.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
144 words
An apparatus for viewing an interior passage of a patient comprising: a catheter including an elongated catheter body adapted to be received in the interior passage and a displacing member, said catheter body having a distal end and a lumen extending to the distal end, said displacing member being carried by the catheter body and extending longitudinally beyond the distal end of the catheter body; an endoscope positionable within the lumen of the catheter body, said endoscope being movable longitudinally within the lumen relative to the catheter body to a location for viewing a zone of the interior passage when the catheter body is within the interior passage; and said displacing member being capable of contacting material within or forming the passage and relatively displacing the distal end of the catheter body and such material to facilitate viewing of said zone with the endoscope.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 24 wherein the catheter body has an auxiliary lumen and the displacing member is received in the auxiliary lumen.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 25 including bonding material for bonding the displacing member in the auxiliary lumen.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 25 wherein the displacing member is movable in the auxiliary lumen and includes a rounded enlargement distally of the distal end of the catheter body.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 24 wherein the displacing member is elongated and rotatable relative to the catheter body.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 28 wherein the displacing member has a distal end and portions extending in different directions such that rotation of the displacing member causes the distal end of the displacing member to sweep through an arc.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 28 wherein the displacing member includes an elongated wire-like element and a rounded enlargement eccentrically mounted on the wire-like element whereby rotation of the displacing member causes the rounded enlargement to sweep through an arc.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 24 wherein the displacing member extends at least part way through the lumen.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 24 wherein the displacing member includes an elongated wire and a sheath encasing the wire.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 24 wherein the displacing member includes a rounded enlargement distally of the distal end of the catheter body.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 33 wherein the enlargement is spaced between about 1 to about 15 mm from the distal end of the catheter body and has a maximum cross-sectional dimension of between about 0.15 and 1.2 mm.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 33 wherein the enlargement is spaced between about 1 to about 6 mm from the distal end of the catheter body.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 33 wherein the enlargement has a guiding surface for cooperation with a guidewire which tends to maintain guiding contact between the enlargement and the guidewire.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 33 wherein the enlargement has a longitudinally extending recess.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 33 wherein the enlargement has a passage extending longitudinally through the enlargement.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 24 wherein the displacing member is elongated and resilient.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the displacing member includes a rounded enlargement for use in said step of advancing.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as defined in claim 21 wherein the displacing member includes a rounded enlargement which is spaced from the distal end of the catheter body about 2 millimeters.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 24 wherein the displacing member includes a rounded enlargement distally of the distal end of the catheter body.
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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) | 2001-05-04 | 2001-11-03 | 2002-05-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-05-04 | 2005-11-03 | 2006-05-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-05-04 | 2009-11-03 | 2010-05-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |