Steerable catheters and methods for making them

US8608736B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• VascoMed GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Ralf Kaufmann · Walldürn, DE
• Stephen A. Leeflang · Emeryville, US
• Christian S. Eversull · Palo Alto, US
• Wolfgang Geistert · Rheinfelden (Baden), DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 28, 2012
• Grant date: Dec 17, 2013
• Expiry date: Jul 28, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61M25/0147
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Apparatus are provided for performing a procedure within a patient's body that include a tubular member including proximal and distal ends, a central axis or region extending therebetween, and a distal portion extending distally from an intermediate portion to the distal end. One or more accessory lumens and a steering element lumen extend between the proximal and distal ends, the steering element lumen offset from the central region within the distal portion such that a steering plane intersects the steering element lumen and the central axis. The distal portion includes a core member extending between the intermediate portion and the distal end, and stabilization elements embedded in the core member adjacent the accessory lumen and defining a stabilization plane that intersects the steering plane at a location offset from the central region, e.g., closer to the accessory lumen than the steering element lumen.