Method of and apparatus for intraparenchymal positioning of medical devices
US5931818A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 12, 1997 |
| Grant date | Aug 3, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 12, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2090/374
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A catheter and magnet combination adapted for intraparenchymal positioning of the catheter in the body with a magnetic field. The catheter has a proximal and distal ends and a lumen therebetween. A magnet is disposed in the distal end of the lumen so that the distal end of the catheter can be positioned within the body with the aid of an externally applied magnetic field. A tether is attached to the magnet and extends through the lumen and out the proximal end so that the magnet can be removed from the catheter through the lumen once the distal end of the catheter is properly positioned. In one embodiment of the invention, the tether is sufficiently stiff to be able to push the catheter through the tissue. With this embodiment, the magnetic field orients the magnet and thus the tip of the catheter, and some or all of the force for moving the catheter is applied via the tether.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.