Rotate-to-advance catheterization system
US8235942B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 18, 2009 |
| Grant date | Aug 7, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 21, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2025/1086
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method for visualizing the interior of a bodily passageway comprising providing a visualization system for deployment in the passageway, the visualization system comprising a tube having non-rotatable distal and proximal end portions and, a rotatable intermediate portion therebetween; visualization apparatus disposed within a lumen of the tube; and a helical thread on an exterior surface of the rotatable intermediate portion of the tube having structural integrity and a surface profile, such that when the tube is in the bodily passageway and the thread engages the interior side wall of the passageway, rotation of the rotatable portion of the tube induces a movement between the tube and the passageway; inserting the visualization system into the bodily passageway at a location remote from the site to be visualized; rotating the rotatable portion of the tube to bring together the site and the visualization apparatus; and using the visualization apparatus to visualize the interior of the bodily passageway.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.