Expandable tube-positioning apparatus
US5135517A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 19, 1990 |
| Grant date | Aug 4, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 19, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M25/01
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus is provided for positioning a core member within a passageway formed in a body. The apparatus includes at least one positioning element and a control mechanism for moving the positioning element relative to a core member. The positioning element includes a pair of end portions appended to the core member and a flexible central portion intermediate the end portions for movement relative to the core member. The positioning element is configured so that the flexible central portion moves in response to a stimulus from the control mechanism to assume a predetermined position engaging an interior wall of the body passageway and thus biasing the core member into a selected orientation within the passageway.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.