Torque absorbing catheter
US6423052B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 18, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jul 23, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 21, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M25/1011
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A torque absorbing catheter having one or more torque absorbing bearings disposed at the distal end thereof. The bearings are larger than the outer diameter of any flexible region of the catheter sought to be protected from torque as the catheter is inserted through a tortuous body lumen. As the catheter is inserted through a body lumen, the bearings are rotable therein and the catheter shaft is simultaneously rotable within a bearing lumen of the bearings. This prevents transfer of torque from bearing to shaft and catheter. The invention is particularly adept at preventing torque from deforming the shape and character of a particularly flexible catheter region such as a balloon.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.