Universal programmable guide catheter
US6679836B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 21, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jan 20, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 21, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2205/0283
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A guide catheter apparatus that comprises the following: (a) a guide catheter portion that includes a plurality of electroactive polymer actuators disposed along its axial length and (b) a control unit coupled to the actuators and sending control signals to the actuators. The actuators change the shape of the guide catheter portion based upon the control signals that are received from the control unit. In another aspect of the present invention, a method of introducing a guide catheter into a body lumen is provided. The method comprises: (a) providing a guide catheter apparatus like that above, and (b) inserting the guide catheter portion of the guide catheter apparatus into the body lumen, while using the control unit to control the shape of the guide catheter portion.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.