Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
370 words
A system for delivering a drug to a target site within a patient's body comprising a drug delivery catheter that docks onto a steerable guide catheter, wherein: the steerable guide catheter comprises: a housing having a longitudinal axis, a distal end, and a width; a guide tube protruding out of the distal end of the housing along the longitudinal axis of the housing; a first extension tube located within the housing and substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the housing, the first extension tube is connected to the guide tube, the first extension having a diameter; a second extension tube located within the housing and substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the housing, the second extension tube is connected to the first extension tube, the second tube having a diameter greater than the diameter of the first extension tube; a shoulder created by the joining of the first extension tube with the second extension tube; and a steering knob, located outside the housing, for steering the guide tube; and the delivery catheter comprises: a handle having a longitudinal axis, a distal end, and a proximal end; a delivery tube protruding out of the distal end of the handle and aligned substantially along the longitudinal axis of the handle; a first luer fitting attached to the proximal end of the handle; a proximal docking segment protruding out of the distal end of the handle and encompassing the delivery tube; a distal docking segment protruding out of the distal end of the handle and encompassing the delivery tube and the proximal docking segment; a first lumen operatively connected to the luer fitting, the lumen running along the longitudinal axis of the handle through the delivery tube; a helical tip, attached to the delivery tube, for injecting a drug into the target site; wherein when the delivery catheter is adapted to be inserted into the guide catheter, the delivery tube is adapted to be inserted within the guide tube, the distal docking segment is adapted to be inserted into the first extension tube, the proximal docking segment is adapted to be inserted into the second extension tube, and the shoulder limits the distance the delivery catheter inserts into the guide catheter.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
370 words
A system for delivering a drug to a target site within a patient's body comprising a drug delivery catheter that docks onto a steerable guide catheter, wherein: the steerable guide catheter comprises: a housing having a longitudinal axis, a distal end, and a width; a guide tube protruding out of the distal end of the housing along the longitudinal axis of the housing; a first extension tube located within the housing and substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the housing, the first extension tube is connected to the guide tube, the first extension having a diameter; a second extension tube located within the housing and substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the housing, the second extension tube is connected to the first extension tube, the second tube having a diameter greater than the diameter of the first extension tube; a shoulder created by the joining of the first extension tube with the second extension tube; and a steering knob, located outside the housing, for steering the guide tube; and the delivery catheter comprises: a handle having a longitudinal axis, a distal end, and a proximal end; a delivery tube protruding out of the distal end of the handle and aligned substantially along the longitudinal axis of the handle; a first luer fitting attached to the proximal end of the handle; a proximal docking segment protruding out of the distal end of the handle and encompassing the delivery tube; a distal docking segment protruding out of the distal end of the handle and encompassing the delivery tube and the proximal docking segment; a first lumen operatively connected to the luer fitting, the lumen running along the longitudinal axis of the handle through the delivery tube; a helical tip, attached to the delivery tube, for injecting a drug into the target site; wherein when the delivery catheter is adapted to be inserted into the guide catheter, the delivery tube is adapted to be inserted within the guide tube, the distal docking segment is adapted to be inserted into the first extension tube, the proximal docking segment is adapted to be inserted into the second extension tube, and the shoulder limits the distance the delivery catheter inserts into the guide catheter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
69 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the steerable guide catheter further comprises: a crank located within the housing, the crank being operatively connected to the steering knob such that rotation of the steering knob causes rotation of the crank; a pullwire operatively connected to the crank such that rotation of the crank affects the tension on the pullwire; and a pin operatively connected to the housing and the crank.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
118 words
The system of claim 2 wherein: the steerable guide catheter further comprises: a friction knob, disposed outside the housing, for increasing and decreasing the friction on the steering knob; wherein the pin is further operatively connected to the friction knob; a friction plate coupled to the crank and the friction knob by the pin; wherein rotation of the friction knob in turn rotates the pin which tightens the friction plate down onto the crank; and the delivery catheter further comprises: a second luer fitting attached on the proximal end of the handle; and a second lumen operatively connected to the second luer fitting, the second lumen running along the longitudinal axis of the handle through the delivery tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
63 words
The system of claim 3 wherein: the steering knob of the steerable guide catheter has control levers with arms, the control levers extending radially beyond the width of the housing, and the arms extending downward from the control levers to limit rotation of the steering knob; and insertion of the delivery catheter into the guide catheter allows rotation of the delivery catheter handle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 4 wherein the crank of the steerable guide catheter is a U-shaped crank, and the first extension tube passes through the U-shaped crank.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
492 words
A method for injecting a drug to a target site within a patient's body, said method comprising the steps of: providing a system for delivering a drug to a target site, said system comprising a drug delivery catheter that docks onto a steerable guide catheter, wherein: the steerable guide catheter comprises: a housing having a longitudinal axis, a distal end, and a width; a guide tube protruding out of the distal end of the housing along the longitudinal axis of the housing; a first extension tube located within the housing and substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the housing, the first extension tube is connected to the guide tube, the first extension having a diameter; a second extension tube located within the housing and substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the housing, the second extension tube is connected to the first extension tube, the second tube having a diameter greater than the diameter of the first extension tube; a shoulder created by the joining of the first extension tube with the second extension tube; and a steering knob, located outside the housing, for steering the guide tube; the delivery catheter comprises: a handle having a longitudinal axis, a distal end, and a proximal end; a delivery tube protruding out of the distal end of the handle and aligned substantially along the longitudinal axis of the handle; a first luer fitting attached to the proximal end of the handle; a proximal docking segment protruding out of the distal end of the handle and encompassing the delivery tube; a distal docking segment protruding out of the distal end of the handle and encompassing the delivery tube and the proximal docking segment; a first lumen operatively connected to the luer fitting, the lumen running along the longitudinal axis of the handle through the delivery tube; a helical tip, attached to the delivery tube, for injecting a drug into the target site; wherein when the delivery catheter is adapted to be inserted into the guide catheter, the delivery tube is adapted to be inserted within the guide tube, the distal docking segment is adapted to be inserted into the first extension tube, the proximal docking segment is adapted to be inserted into the second extension tube, and the shoulder limits the distance the delivery catheter inserts into the guide catheter, inserting the steerable guide catheter into the patient's body; directing the guide tube to the target site within the patient's body; inserting the delivery catheter into the guide catheter such that the distal docking segment is inserted into the first extension tube and the proximal docking segment is inserted into the second extension tube, wherein the shoulder limits the distance the delivery catheter can be inserted into the guide catheter; after inserting the delivery catheter into the guide catheter, rotating the delivery catheter to attach the helical tip to the target site; and administering the drug to the target site through the helical tip.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
492 words
A method for injecting a drug to a target site within a patient's body, said method comprising the steps of: providing a system for delivering a drug to a target site, said system comprising a drug delivery catheter that docks onto a steerable guide catheter, wherein: the steerable guide catheter comprises: a housing having a longitudinal axis, a distal end, and a width; a guide tube protruding out of the distal end of the housing along the longitudinal axis of the housing; a first extension tube located within the housing and substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the housing, the first extension tube is connected to the guide tube, the first extension having a diameter; a second extension tube located within the housing and substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the housing, the second extension tube is connected to the first extension tube, the second tube having a diameter greater than the diameter of the first extension tube; a shoulder created by the joining of the first extension tube with the second extension tube; and a steering knob, located outside the housing, for steering the guide tube; the delivery catheter comprises: a handle having a longitudinal axis, a distal end, and a proximal end; a delivery tube protruding out of the distal end of the handle and aligned substantially along the longitudinal axis of the handle; a first luer fitting attached to the proximal end of the handle; a proximal docking segment protruding out of the distal end of the handle and encompassing the delivery tube; a distal docking segment protruding out of the distal end of the handle and encompassing the delivery tube and the proximal docking segment; a first lumen operatively connected to the luer fitting, the lumen running along the longitudinal axis of the handle through the delivery tube; a helical tip, attached to the delivery tube, for injecting a drug into the target site; wherein when the delivery catheter is adapted to be inserted into the guide catheter, the delivery tube is adapted to be inserted within the guide tube, the distal docking segment is adapted to be inserted into the first extension tube, the proximal docking segment is adapted to be inserted into the second extension tube, and the shoulder limits the distance the delivery catheter inserts into the guide catheter, inserting the steerable guide catheter into the patient's body; directing the guide tube to the target site within the patient's body; inserting the delivery catheter into the guide catheter such that the distal docking segment is inserted into the first extension tube and the proximal docking segment is inserted into the second extension tube, wherein the shoulder limits the distance the delivery catheter can be inserted into the guide catheter; after inserting the delivery catheter into the guide catheter, rotating the delivery catheter to attach the helical tip to the target site; and administering the drug to the target site through the helical tip.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
85 words
The method of claim 6 further comprising the steps of: further providing the steerable guide catheter with: a crank located within the housing, the crank being operatively connected to the steering knob such that rotation of the steering knob causes rotation of the crank; a pullwire operatively connected to the crank such that rotation of the crank affects the tension on the pullwire; and a pin operatively connected to the housing and the crank; and manipulating the crank to change the tension on the pullwire.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
138 words
The method of claim 7 comprising the further steps of: further providing the steerable guide catheter with: a friction knob, disposed outside the housing, for increasing and decreasing the friction on the steering knob; wherein the pin is further operatively connected to the friction knob; a friction plate coupled to the crank and the friction knob by the pin; wherein rotation of the friction knob in turn rotates the pin which tightens the friction plate down onto the crank; further providing the delivery catheter with: a second luer fitting attached on the proximal end of the handle; and a second lumen operatively connected to the second luer fitting, the second lumen running along the longitudinal axis of the handle through the delivery tube; and manipulating the friction knob to tighten and loosen the friction plate on the crank.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
89 words
The method of claim 8 comprising the further steps of: further providing the steering knob of the steerable guide catheter with control levers, said control levers having arms, the control levers extending radially beyond the width of the housing, and the arms extending downward from the control levers to limit rotation of the steering knob; inserting the delivery catheter into the guide catheter to allow rotation of the delivery catheter handle; rotating the delivery catheter handle; and using the control levers to limit the rotation of the steering knob.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 9 comprising the further steps of: further providing the crank of the steerable guide catheter with a U-shape; and passing the first extension tube through the U-shaped crank.