Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
275 words
A steerable catheter assembly comprising: a.) a handle having first and second ends and containing a steering dial mounted for rotative movement therebetween, a manifold having a first pair of openings and a second pair of openings disposed at said first end, and a pair of first and second luer locks disposed at said second end; b.) a lumen extension shaft having a proximal and distal ends, said lumen extension shaft proximal end securely fastened to said handle first end in communication with said manifold, said shaft including a pair of first tubing members passing respectively through said first openings, and a second pair of tubing members passing respectively through said second openings, where said lumen extension shaft is made of a material having a first degree of rigidity; c.) a lumen extrusion tip having a proximal end securely fastened to the distal end of said lumen extension shaft, where said lumen extrusion tip is made of a material having less rigidity than said lumen extension shaft; d.) means accessible through said first and second luer locks for inserting an imagining instrument through said manifold and at least one of said first tubing members for remote viewing of the region around said lumen extrusion tip; and e.) a pair of steering wires securely fastened at first ends therof to first and second sides, respectively, of said steering dial, said steering wires being slidably mounted within said manifold, through said second openings and said second tubing members, and secured at a second end thereof to said lumen extrusion tip, whereby movement of said lumer extrusion tip to plural positions may be made within a fixed plane.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
275 words
A steerable catheter assembly comprising: a.) a handle having first and second ends and containing a steering dial mounted for rotative movement therebetween, a manifold having a first pair of openings and a second pair of openings disposed at said first end, and a pair of first and second luer locks disposed at said second end; b.) a lumen extension shaft having a proximal and distal ends, said lumen extension shaft proximal end securely fastened to said handle first end in communication with said manifold, said shaft including a pair of first tubing members passing respectively through said first openings, and a second pair of tubing members passing respectively through said second openings, where said lumen extension shaft is made of a material having a first degree of rigidity; c.) a lumen extrusion tip having a proximal end securely fastened to the distal end of said lumen extension shaft, where said lumen extrusion tip is made of a material having less rigidity than said lumen extension shaft; d.) means accessible through said first and second luer locks for inserting an imagining instrument through said manifold and at least one of said first tubing members for remote viewing of the region around said lumen extrusion tip; and e.) a pair of steering wires securely fastened at first ends therof to first and second sides, respectively, of said steering dial, said steering wires being slidably mounted within said manifold, through said second openings and said second tubing members, and secured at a second end thereof to said lumen extrusion tip, whereby movement of said lumer extrusion tip to plural positions may be made within a fixed plane.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The steerable catheter assembly according to claim 1, wherein a strain relief member is provided adjacent said manifold, and through which said lumen extrusion shaft extends.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The steerable catheter assembly according to claim 1, wherein said lumen extrusion tip is an element selected from the group of a looped wire, a formed hook wire, a ballized wire, and a plastic wire.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The steerable catheter assembly according to claim 3, wherein said lumen extrusion tip is a looped wire comprising a looped wire having a reverse bend radius.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
The steerable catheter assembly according to claim 4, wherein said looped wire comprises a 0.010" diameter wire formed by coining a center of the looped wire between two 0.040" diameter rods on a forming tool where the looped wire includes an end heated to weld and form the loop.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The steerable catheter assembly according to claim 3, wherein said lumen extrusion tip is a continuous looped wire.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The steerable catheter assembly according to claim 4, wherein said lumen extrusion tip is a formed hook wire comprising a pair of wires, each having a formed hook at a front distal end.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
The steerable catheter assembly according to claim 3, wherein said lumen extrusion tip is a ballized wire comprising a pair of wires, each terminating at a steel ball, where the diameter of each said ball is twice the diameter of its respective said wire.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The steerable catheter assembly according to claim 8, wherein each of said wires has a diameter of 0.010", and each said steel balls has a diameter of 0.020".
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The steerable catheter assembly according to claim 8, wherein said each ballized wire further includes a jacket securely fixed thereabout.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The steerable catheter assembly according to claim 10, wherein said jacket is manufactured from U.V curable epoxy glue injected around each of said wires.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The steerable catheter assembly according to claim 8, wherein said ballized wire further includes a washer securely fixed about said wire adjacent to said steel ball.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
58 words
The steerable catheter assembly according to claim 12, wherein said washer has an outside diameter of 0.024" and an inside diameter of 0.012", where said washer is slid over said ballized wire and positioned adjacent to said steel ball, and that said washer and said steel ball are pulled into said lumen extrusion shaft through said minor opening.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The steerable catheter assembly according to claim 8, wherein said ballized wire further includes a wire eyelet securely fixed thereabout adjacent said steel ball.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
The steerable catheter assembly according to claim 14, wherein said wire eyelet has an outside diameter of 0.024" and an inside diameter of 0.012", where said wire eyelet is slid over said ballized wire and positioned adjacent to said steel ball.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The steerable catheter assembly according to claim 8, wherein said ballized wire further includes a wire spring securely fixed thereabout adjacent to said steel ball.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The steerable catheter assembly according to claim 1 wherein a first said luer lock comprises a fastening means removably attached to said second end.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The steerable catheter assembly according to claim 1, wherein said major tubing members extend between said luer locks and said manifold.