Remotely steered catheterization device

Abstract

Abstract A remotely steerable guidewire, catheter or insertable active implement (10) is disclosed. A steerable guidewire or a catheter for coronary and peripheral catheterizations is illustrated, using electrostrictive or piezoelectric material for controlling its motions inside the body via control inputs (18) applied from outside the body. A steerable portion of the device, which may be either an active flexible tip (16) or an active region (14) along the length of the implement, controls the tip position or modifies stiffness along a region of the tip. In one embodiment, manipulation of electrical control inputs permits deflection of the steerable region through a range of motion about the axis of the implement in a single plane. In further embodiments, the tip may deflect in multiple planes about its longitudinal axis, or the device may be selectively stiffened to assume an arc shape or to firmly lodge the tip in position in a vessel.

Inventors

• 👤 Kenneth B. Lazarus
• 👤 Edward F. Crawley
• 👤 Richard David Fish

Bibliographic Details