Apparatus for navigation of body cavities
US5109830A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 10, 1990 |
| Grant date | May 5, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 10, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B18/24
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus for navigation of body cavities is comprised of an inner element and an outer element that surrounds the inner element. The inner element has a memorized preformed shape that it assumes when it is not disposed within the outer element. When in the outer element, the inner element is straightened by the rigidity of the outer element. The preformed shape of the inner element is adjustable. This preformed shape may be exploited to navigate branches and curves in the body cavities. The inner element may be a catheter or laser fiber, and the outer element may be a catheter or sheath. When the inner element is a catheter, the catheter may contain a shape retaining element such as a spring wire that enables it to memorize the preformed shape.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.