Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
201 words
A traction-type papillotome for use with an endoscope, comprising: an elongated sheath having a distal tip end consisting solely of a flexible non-metallic material, a portion of said distal tip end having a first length and including a curve set in the material when said distal tip end is relaxed; said sheath having a first lumen extending along at least a part of its length; and a wire of electrically conductive material in said first lumen having one end to be connected to a source of current and a cutting wire section at its other end that extends outwardly of the sheath between a first point on the inner radius of the curve and a second point on the inner radius of the curve of said distal tip end, the distance between said first and second points being less than said first length such that the cutting wire is exposed along only a portion of the curved distal tip end, said curved distal tip end including a curved portion proximal to said cutting wire section, the distal tip end being curved such that the cutting wire automatically orients to the 12 o'clock position when the traction-type papillotome emerges from the endoscope.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
201 words
A traction-type papillotome for use with an endoscope, comprising: an elongated sheath having a distal tip end consisting solely of a flexible non-metallic material, a portion of said distal tip end having a first length and including a curve set in the material when said distal tip end is relaxed; said sheath having a first lumen extending along at least a part of its length; and a wire of electrically conductive material in said first lumen having one end to be connected to a source of current and a cutting wire section at its other end that extends outwardly of the sheath between a first point on the inner radius of the curve and a second point on the inner radius of the curve of said distal tip end, the distance between said first and second points being less than said first length such that the cutting wire is exposed along only a portion of the curved distal tip end, said curved distal tip end including a curved portion proximal to said cutting wire section, the distal tip end being curved such that the cutting wire automatically orients to the 12 o'clock position when the traction-type papillotome emerges from the endoscope.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A papillotome as in claim 1, wherein said cutting wire section comprises a separate piece of wire electrically connected to said wire in said sheath first lumen.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A papillotome as in claim 1, further comprising means for applying a force to said wire to exert force on the tip end to change the shape of the curve of said tip end.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A papillotome as in claim 1, wherein said sheath includes a second lumen having an exit opening at a point along the length of the sheath.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A papillotome as in claim 4, wherein said sheath includes a third lumen which is isolated from said first and second lumens.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A papillotome as in claim 5, wherein said third lumen extends substantially the entire length of the sheath.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
A papillotome as in claim 1 in combination with an elongated endoscope having a lumen, said sheath being movable within said endoscope lumen along its length with the curve of the tip end being straightened when within the endoscope lumen and said tip end upon exiting the endoscope resuming the curve shape.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The papillotome as in claim 1, wherein said cutting wire section includes a portion affixed to the curved distal tip end of the sheath.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
229 words
A traction-type papillotome kit for use with an endoscope, comprising: an elongated sheath having a distal tip end consisting solely of a flexible non-metallic material, a portion of said distal tip end having a first length and including a curve set in the material when said distal tip end is relaxed; said sheath having a first lumen extending along at least a part of its length; a wire of electrically conductive material in said first lumen having one end to be connected to a source of current and a cutting wire section at its other end that extends outwardly of the sheath between a first point on the inner radius and a second point on the inner radius of the curve of said distal tip end, the distance between said first and second points being less than said first length such that the cutting wire is exposed along only a portion of the curved distal tip end, said curved distal tip end including a curved portion proximal to said cutting wire section, the distal tip end being curved such that the cutting wire automatically orients to the 12 o'clock position when the traction-type papillotome emerges from the endoscope; and a package for said papillotome, said package including curve retention means for retaining said pre-curved shape memory tip in said set curve shape while said papillotome is in said package.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
229 words
A traction-type papillotome kit for use with an endoscope, comprising: an elongated sheath having a distal tip end consisting solely of a flexible non-metallic material, a portion of said distal tip end having a first length and including a curve set in the material when said distal tip end is relaxed; said sheath having a first lumen extending along at least a part of its length; a wire of electrically conductive material in said first lumen having one end to be connected to a source of current and a cutting wire section at its other end that extends outwardly of the sheath between a first point on the inner radius and a second point on the inner radius of the curve of said distal tip end, the distance between said first and second points being less than said first length such that the cutting wire is exposed along only a portion of the curved distal tip end, said curved distal tip end including a curved portion proximal to said cutting wire section, the distal tip end being curved such that the cutting wire automatically orients to the 12 o'clock position when the traction-type papillotome emerges from the endoscope; and a package for said papillotome, said package including curve retention means for retaining said pre-curved shape memory tip in said set curve shape while said papillotome is in said package.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
The papillotome kit as in claim 9, wherein said curve retention means comprises first and second trays and wherein said first tray has at least one channel formed in the configuration of the curve shape of the tip end.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The papillotome as in claim 9, wherein said cutting wire section includes a portion affixed to the curved distal tip end of the sheath.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
224 words
A traction-type papillotome for use with an endoscope, comprising: an elongated sheath having a distal tip end shaped to have a curve set in the material when said distal tip end is relaxed, a portion of said distal tip end having a first length; said sheath having a first lumen extending along at least a part of its length; said sheath having second and third lumens extending substantially to said distal tip end, at least one of said second and third lumens being sized to receive a guidewire; and a wire of electrically conductive material in said first lumen having one end to be connected to a source of current and a cutting wire section at its other end that extends outwardly of the sheath between a first point on the inner radius of the curve and a second point on the inner radius of the curve of said distal tip end, the distance between said first and second points being less than said first length such that the cutting wire is exposed along only a portion of the curved distal tip end, said curved distal tip end including a curved portion proximal to said cutting wire section, the distal tip end being curved such that the cutting wire automatically orients to the 12 o'clock position when the traction-type papillotome emerges from the endoscope.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
224 words
A traction-type papillotome for use with an endoscope, comprising: an elongated sheath having a distal tip end shaped to have a curve set in the material when said distal tip end is relaxed, a portion of said distal tip end having a first length; said sheath having a first lumen extending along at least a part of its length; said sheath having second and third lumens extending substantially to said distal tip end, at least one of said second and third lumens being sized to receive a guidewire; and a wire of electrically conductive material in said first lumen having one end to be connected to a source of current and a cutting wire section at its other end that extends outwardly of the sheath between a first point on the inner radius of the curve and a second point on the inner radius of the curve of said distal tip end, the distance between said first and second points being less than said first length such that the cutting wire is exposed along only a portion of the curved distal tip end, said curved distal tip end including a curved portion proximal to said cutting wire section, the distal tip end being curved such that the cutting wire automatically orients to the 12 o'clock position when the traction-type papillotome emerges from the endoscope.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The papillotome as in claim 12, wherein said cutting wire section includes a portion affixed to the curved distal tip end of the sheath.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
95 words
A traction-type papillotome, comprising: an elongated catheter having a normally curved distal tip end when said distal tip end is relaxed; a first lumen extending within at least a first portion of the catheter; and a wire of electrically conductive material disposed in said first lumen and having a cutting wire segment extending exteriorly of the catheter between first and second locations on the catheter, said curved distal tip end including a proximal curved portion and a distal curved portion, said cutting wire segment extending exteriorly of the catheter only along said distal curved portion.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
95 words
A traction-type papillotome, comprising: an elongated catheter having a normally curved distal tip end when said distal tip end is relaxed; a first lumen extending within at least a first portion of the catheter; and a wire of electrically conductive material disposed in said first lumen and having a cutting wire segment extending exteriorly of the catheter between first and second locations on the catheter, said curved distal tip end including a proximal curved portion and a distal curved portion, said cutting wire segment extending exteriorly of the catheter only along said distal curved portion.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The papillotome as in claim 14, wherein said cutting wire segment includes a portion affixed to the curved distal tip end of the catheter.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
The papillotome as in claim 14, further comprising a package for said papillotome, said package including curve retention means for retaining said normally curved distal tip end while said papillotome is in said package.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
The papillotome as in claim 16, wherein said cutting wire segment includes a portion affixed to the curved distal tip end of the catheter.