Methods for operating a selective stiffening catheter
US9295511B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 17, 2013 |
| Grant date | Mar 29, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 17, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2025/0064
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method for delivering RF energy to living tissue includes the steps of extending a guidewire to a tissue treatment site in a body. A controllable stiffness catheter is provided with a stiffness device having non-metallic properties and a temperature-changing device. The stiffness device is in a stiff state below a given temperature and in a soft state above the given temperature. While supplying power to the temperature-changing device, the catheter is threaded along the guidewire up to the treatment site in the soft state. Power is removed from the temperature-changing device to alter the non-metallic properties of the stiffness device and directly result in a change of the stiffness device to the stiff state without straightening the catheter. The RF energy supply device is physically contacted with the treatment site and RF energy is delivered to the treatment site from the RF energy supply device.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.