US6616628B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Steerable catheter with a longitudinally adjustable curved core
Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Inc
•
Filing: 2001-11-16
•
Granted: 2003-09-09
•
Expires: 2021-11-16
Abstract
Abstract A catheter includes a steering tendon and a longitudinally adjustable core having a curved shape in the distal portion thereof. The steering tendon is attached to the distal-end region of the catheter sheath. The proximal end of the core is coupled to a positioning mechanism within the catheter handle and the distal end of the core floats within the catheter sheath. The position of the distal end of the core can be adjusted by advancing or retracting the positioning mechanism within the handle. Axial movement of the steering tendon in the proximal direction causes the distal-end region of the catheter sheath to deflect, while longitudinal adjustment of the curved core changes the deflection profile of the distal-end region of the catheter sheath.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert C. Hayzelden
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 19:59
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/01; A61M25/0105; A61M25/0133; A61M25/0136; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1492; A61B17/00; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00292; A61B2017/003; A61B2018/00315; A61B2018/00345; A61B2018/00351; A61B2018/00357; A61M25/0147
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
A catheter comprising: an elongated tubular sheath having a proximal region, a distal-end region and a lumen therebetween; a steering tendon having a first end coupled to the distal-end region of the sheath, and a second end located at the proximal region of the sheath, wherein movement of the steering tendon in a proximal direction causes the sheath distal-end region to deflect; and a core disposed within the lumen of the sheath, the core having a proximal end and a distal end, a distal portion of the core having a preformed curved shape, and the core being longitudinally adjustable relative to the sheath to effect deflection of the distal-end region of the sheath.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
113 words
A catheter comprising: an elongated tubular sheath having a proximal region, a distal-end region and a lumen therebetween; a steering tendon having a first end coupled to the distal-end region of the sheath, and a second end located at the proximal region of the sheath, wherein movement of the steering tendon in a proximal direction causes the sheath distal-end region to deflect; and a core disposed within the lumen of the sheath, the core having a proximal end and a distal end, a distal portion of the core having a preformed curved shape, and the core being longitudinally adjustable relative to the sheath to effect deflection of the distal-end region of the sheath.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the core is formed of a shape-memory material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The catheter of claim 2 , wherein the core comprises a substantially tubular structure having a lumen.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The catheter of claim 3 , further comprising at least one electrode at the distal-end region of the sheath electrically connected to wires which pass through the lumen of the core.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The catheter of claim 3 , wherein the steering tendon passes through the lumen of the core.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The catheter of claim 2 , wherein the core comprises a solid wire.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
The catheter of claim 6 , further comprising at least one electrode at the distal-end region of the sheath electrically connected to wires which are carried within grooves located on the outside of the core and on the inside wall of the sheath.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The catheter of claim 6 , wherein the steering tendon is carried within grooves located on the outside of the core and on the inside wall of the sheath.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
74 words
The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the relative rigidity of the sheath proximal region, sheath distal-end region and core is such that when the core is within the sheath proximal region, the core assumes the shape of the sheath proximal region and when the preformed curved distal portion of the core is within the sheath distal-end region, the sheath distal-end region assumes the shape of the preformed curved distal portion of the core.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The catheter of claim 9 , further comprising a positioning mechanism secured to the core and adapted to move the core between locations within the proximal region of the sheath and the distal-end region of the sheath.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
58 words
The catheter of claim 10 , wherein the core may be moved to a fully retracted position wherein the distal end of the core is located within the proximal region of the sheath such that movement of the steering tendon in a proximal direction causes the entire distal-end region of the sheath to deflect into a tight loop.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The catheter of claim 10 , wherein the core may be moved to an advanced position wherein a section of the distal portion of the core is located within the distal-end region of the sheath.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
60 words
The catheter of claim 12 , wherein movement of the steering tendon in a proximal direction causes the radius of curvature of the portion of the distal-end region housing the core to decrease and the portion of the distal-end region of the sheath distal to the core to deflect into a tighter radius than if the core were not present.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
The catheter of claim 13 , wherein the deflection profile of the distal-end region of the sheath is adjustable by changing the location of the distal end of the core within the distal-end region of the sheath.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
175 words
A catheter comprising: an elongated tubular sheath having a proximal region, a distal-end region and a lumen therebetween; a steering tendon having a first end coupled to the distal-end region of the sheath, and a second end located at the proximal region of the sheath, wherein movement of the steering tendon in a proximal direction causes the sheath distal-end region to deflect; a core disposed within the lumen of the sheath, the core having a proximal end and a distal end, a distal portion of the core having a preformed curved shape, and the core being longitudinally adjustable relative to the sheath to effect deflection of the distal-end region of the sheath; a handle coupled to the proximal region of the sheath, the handle having a controller secured to the core and adapted to move the core between locations within the proximal region of the sheath and the distal-end region of the sheath; and at least one electrode at the distal-end region of the sheath electrically connected to a connector within the handle by wires.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
175 words
A catheter comprising: an elongated tubular sheath having a proximal region, a distal-end region and a lumen therebetween; a steering tendon having a first end coupled to the distal-end region of the sheath, and a second end located at the proximal region of the sheath, wherein movement of the steering tendon in a proximal direction causes the sheath distal-end region to deflect; a core disposed within the lumen of the sheath, the core having a proximal end and a distal end, a distal portion of the core having a preformed curved shape, and the core being longitudinally adjustable relative to the sheath to effect deflection of the distal-end region of the sheath; a handle coupled to the proximal region of the sheath, the handle having a controller secured to the core and adapted to move the core between locations within the proximal region of the sheath and the distal-end region of the sheath; and at least one electrode at the distal-end region of the sheath electrically connected to a connector within the handle by wires.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The catheter of claim 15 , wherein the core comprises a substantially tubular structure having a lumen and the steering tendon and wires pass through the lumen of the core.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
38 words
The catheter of claim 15 , wherein the core comprises a solid wire and the steering tendon and wires are carried within grooves located on the outside of the core and on the inside wall of the sheath.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
210 words
A method for placing the distal portion of a catheter at a desired location within a biological cavity, the catheter comprising an elongated tubular sheath having a proximal region and a distal-end region, a steering tendon having a first end coupled to the distal-end region of the sheath and a second end located at the proximal region of the sheath, and a longitudinally adjustable core disposed within the lumen of the sheath, a distal portion of the core having a preformed curved shape, wherein the relative rigidity of the sheath proximal region, sheath distal-end region and core is such that when the core is within the sheath proximal region, the core assumes the shape of the sheath proximal region and when the preformed curved distal portion of the core is within the sheath distal-end region, the sheath distal-end region assumes the shape of the preformed curved distal portion of the core, the method comprising: introducing the catheter into a body vessel with the curved distal portion of the core located in the sheath proximal region; advancing the catheter through the vessel into the biological cavity; deflecting the distal-end region of the catheter toward the desired location by advancing the curved distal portion of the core into the sheath distal-end region.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
210 words
A method for placing the distal portion of a catheter at a desired location within a biological cavity, the catheter comprising an elongated tubular sheath having a proximal region and a distal-end region, a steering tendon having a first end coupled to the distal-end region of the sheath and a second end located at the proximal region of the sheath, and a longitudinally adjustable core disposed within the lumen of the sheath, a distal portion of the core having a preformed curved shape, wherein the relative rigidity of the sheath proximal region, sheath distal-end region and core is such that when the core is within the sheath proximal region, the core assumes the shape of the sheath proximal region and when the preformed curved distal portion of the core is within the sheath distal-end region, the sheath distal-end region assumes the shape of the preformed curved distal portion of the core, the method comprising: introducing the catheter into a body vessel with the curved distal portion of the core located in the sheath proximal region; advancing the catheter through the vessel into the biological cavity; deflecting the distal-end region of the catheter toward the desired location by advancing the curved distal portion of the core into the sheath distal-end region.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein deflecting the distal-end region of the catheter further comprises axially displacing the steering tendon in a proximal direction.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US6033378A
Cited
US5531686A
Cited
US5040543A
Cited
US5588964A
Cited
US5935102A
Cited
US5489270A
Cited
US5715817A
Cited
US5487757A
Cited
US5397321A
Cited
US5860920A
Cited
US6035224A
Cited
US5779669A
Cited
US5782828A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-09-08 | 2007-03-10 | 2007-09-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-09-08 | 2011-03-10 | 2011-09-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-09-08 | 2015-03-10 | 2015-09-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |