Steerable catheter with tip alignment and surface contact detector

US6551302B1 · kind B1 · utility

Inventors

• Michael J. Rosinko · Las Vegas, US
• Alexander Khairkhahan · Palo Alto, US
• Michael J. Horzewski · San Jose, US
• Stuart D. Harman · Sunnyvale, US
• Richard L. Mueller · Mountain View, US
• Douglas Murphy-Chutorian · Sunnyvale, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 26, 2000
• Grant date: Apr 22, 2003
• Expiry date: Dec 8, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61M2025/0089
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A steerable percutaneous catheter for guiding at least one functional device to selected surfaces of a body for treatment thereon, particularly adapted for laser-assisted Percutaneous Transmyocardial Revascularization (PTMR). The steerable catheter has a handle portion at its proximal end and a controllably deflectable end portion at its distal end. The distal end of the catheter and the distal end of the functional device maintain alignment automatically during deflection. The invention also includes a surface contact detection system to detect contact with an interior body surface, such as the heart wall.