Patent · US Active

Methods and apparatus for an adjustable stiffness catheter

US9889273B2 · kind B2 · utility

17Cited by

19References

12Claims

0Family size

Assignee

W.L. Gore & Associates GmbH · DE

Inventors

Edward H. Cully · Flagstaff, US
Jeffrey B. Duncan · Flagstaff, US
Benjamin M. Trapp · Flagstaff, US

Key dates

Filing date	Jun 2, 2014
Grant date	Feb 13, 2018
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Jun 2, 2034

Classification

Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
CPC primaryA61M2205/0266
WIPO fieldMedical technology
WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for an endovascular catheter that can be inserted within tortuous body anatomies and then selectively stiffened and fixed in place. In a particular embodiment, this stiffness is reversible. The stiffness or a comparable mechanical characteristic of the catheter assembly may be adjusted to a relatively low value during insertion (so that it easily navigates a guide wire or the like), and then subsequently adjusted to a relatively high value in situ to keep the catheter assembly substantially fixed in place (i.e., during delivery of an interventional device).

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.