Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
A biliary catheter (10) for use in visualizing a duct
of a patient, the catheter comprising: a cannula (12) having a proximal end (12a) and a
distal end (12b), a first lumen (34) and a second lumen (32) being
defined within the cannula, each lumen (34, 32) extending from the
proximal end to the distal end of the cannula, and a spring wire
guide (24) for the cannula, the second lumen (32) being configured
for receiving the spring wire guide (24), and having an opening at
the distal end of the cannula, characterised in that the first
lumen (34) extends to an opening disposed at the distal end (12b)
of the cannula and in that contrast medium infusion means (18) is
connected to the proximal end of the first lumen (34).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
26 words
The biliary catheter of claim 1, wherein the first lumen
(34) has a crescent shaped cross-section, and wherein the second
lumen (32) has a round cross-section.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The biliary catheter of any preceding claim, wherein the
distal end (12b) has a tapered portion, the first lumen (34)
extending to an opening in the tapered portion slightly proximal
of the second lumen (32).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The biliary catheter of any preceding claim, wherein the
catheter (10) further comprises means (25)
on the distal end of said catheter
for rendering said
distal end (12b) visible by an endoscope (36).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The biliary catheter of claim 4, wherein the said means comprises
a plurality of stripes (25) affixed to the cannula (12) adjacent
the distal end (12b).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The biliary catheter of any preceding claim, wherein the
spring wire guide (24) is at least twice as long as the cannula
(12).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The biliary catheter of claim 6, further comprising feed
means (27) for holding a portion of the spring wire guide (24) not
disposed in the second lumen (32) of the cannula (12).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The biliary catheter of any preceding claim, further
comprising locking means (29) for maintaining the spring wire
guide within the cannula (12).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The biliary catheter of any preceding claim, including
sufficient contrast fluid disposed in the first lumen so as to
substantially fill the first lumen with contrast fluid from the
proximal end (12a) to the distal end (12b) of the cannula (12).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The biliary catheter of claim 9, wherein the spring wire
guide (24) extends out of the distal end (12b) of the cannula (12)
when the first lumen (34) is filled with contrast fluid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The biliary catheter of any preceding claim, wherein the
second lumen (32) has a hydrophilic coating.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The biliary catheter of claim 10, wherein the hydrophilic
coating of the second lumen (32) is activatable in the present of
biliary fluid.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The biliary catheter of any preceding claim, further
comprising a coating disposed on an outer surface of the cannula
(12) for improving lubricity of the outer surface, and for
increasing kink resistance in the cannula.