Convertible catheter
US5364376A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 4, 1992 |
| Grant date | Nov 15, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 4, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2025/0183
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention is a catheter having a guidewire lumen slidable sleeve. The lumen and sleeve have aligned apertures, which may be closed by moving the slidable sleeve. When the apertures are aligned, a guidewire may be loaded from the distal end of the catheter through the lumen. The guidewire is forced out of the lumen by a ramp in the lumen. The ramp is at the end of a removable core member, which provides enhanced shaft rigidity. The catheter may be converted from a "monorail" to an "over-the-wire" configuration by moving the slidable sleeve to close the aperture and advancing a replacement guidewire through the guidewire lumen past the now sealed aperture. A non-circular cross-section is used for the lumen, removable core member, and slidable sleeve, thereby maintaining orientation of the lumen and slidable sleeve apertures should the catheter undergo rotational flexing during use.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.