Turn limiter for a catheter with twistable tip

US5352197A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• SPECTRANETICS LLC · US

Inventors

• Dan J. Hammersmark · San Mateo, US
• John Lennox-Gentle · Littleton, US
• Kenneth P. Grace · Woodland Park, US
• Boyce D. Richardson · Colorado Springs, US
• John G. Stine · Woodland Park, US
• Kevin D. Taylor · Colorado Springs, US
• Matthew S. Solar · Pembroke Pines, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 12, 1993
• Grant date: Oct 4, 1994
• Expiry date: Mar 12, 2013

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61M2025/0183
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

The present invention is a turn limiter for a catheter with a twistable tip. The catheter having a flexible wall for use in complex twisting anatomy contains a torque wire or a torquable guide wire lumen. The torque wire or torquable guide wire lumen extends through the length of the catheter and is attached to the catheter at or near the distal end thereof. The proximal end of the torque wire protrudes from the proximal end of the catheter and is attached to a turn limiter. Rotation of the turn limiter imparts a torque to the torque wire or torquable guide wire lumen. The turn limiter allows limited rotation of the proximal end of the torque wire or torquable guide wire lumen without axial dislocation. The turn limiter may have a feature for indicating the amount of torque applied to the torque element. The turn limiter may also have a friction device for resisting rotational forces urging a rotatable handle in the turn limiter to return to an original position when the handle is rotated and released by an operator.