Catheter with controllable stiffness and method for operating a selective stiffening catheter
US8083713B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 8, 2009 |
| Grant date | Dec 27, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 10, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49826
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and device for treating a Chronic Total Occlusion provides a controllable stiffness catheter with a shaft having a stiffness sheath and an access lumen. The device has a stiffness device in a stiff state below a given temperature and in a soft state above the temperature, a temperature-changing device in thermal contact with the stiffness device, the temperature-changing device changing a temperature of the stiffness device below and above the temperature, and a power controller electrically connected to the stiffness device and selectively supplying power to the temperature-changing device to change a stiffness of the stiffness device between the stiff and soft states. A guidewire is moved to a treatment site and the catheter moves along the guidewire up to CTO in its soft state. The catheter stiffens without straightening and, in the stiff state, the catheter or the guidewire is projecting through the CTO.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.