Adjustable stiffness dilatation catheter
US5545138A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 28, 1994 |
| Grant date | Aug 13, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 28, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2025/1061
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A catheter with a guidewire shaft (1) with a proximal end which is free to move, the proximal end of the catheter having either a dual lumen (14) embodiment or a single lumen (6) embodiment. The dual lumen (14) embodiment has a stiffening wire lumen (17) through which a stiffening wire (12) extends and an inflation lumen (16) which is in fluid communication with the balloon (3). The single lumen (6) embodiment has a stiffening wire lumen (21) through which the stiffening wire (20) extends with the stiffening wire (20) defining an inflation lumen (22) which is in fluid communication with the balloon (3). A method of changing the stiffness of the distal end of a catheter is disclosed including, placing a stiffening wire (12) in an inflation lumen (5) or placing a stiffening wire (20) in a stiffening wire lumen (21) and advancing the stiffening wire up to the proximal end of the balloon (3) and stopping when the desired level of stiffness is achieved.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.