EP0191630A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Catheter with high speed drive means
Assignee: DSM Biomedical Inc
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Filing: 1986-02-11
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2006-02-11
Abstract
Abstract A recanalizing catheter (1, 61, 101) comprising a very small diameter, elongate, flexible tubular member (14) having a working tool (3, 62) at a distal end. A flexible drive assembly (5, 88, 109, 110) is located within the tubular member to power the tool. The drive assembly includes centering means (35, 109, 110) to keep the drive means so that the means may be rotated at high speed and the member may be bent through various radii of curvature without adverse effect. The centering means may comprise bearings (35) held longitudinally apart by spacers (36) or a helical wire (91, 109 or 110).
Inventors
- 👤 John Nash
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 10:22
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/32; A61B17/3205; A61B17/3207; A61B17/320758
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
A catheter (1, 61, 101) for use in clearing an obstruction in a lumen in a living being, comprising an elongate flexible tubular member having a distal end at which is present a working tool (6, 62) and a proximal end at which is present a power means for driving the working tool, drive means (5, 88) extending through the tubular member for driving the tool, characterised in that centering means (35, 91, 109, 110) are present to enable the catheter to be bent through any arc up to a minimum radius of curvature while enabling the drive means (5, 88, 109, 110) to be rotated at high speed without causing excessive vibration.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
113 words
A catheter (1, 61, 101) for use in clearing an obstruction in a lumen in a living being, comprising an elongate flexible tubular member having a distal end at which is present a working tool (6, 62) and a proximal end at which is present a power means for driving the working tool, drive means (5, 88) extending through the tubular member for driving the tool, characterised in that centering means (35, 91, 109, 110) are present to enable the catheter to be bent through any arc up to a minimum radius of curvature while enabling the drive means (5, 88, 109, 110) to be rotated at high speed without causing excessive vibration.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
A catheter according to Claim 1 characterised in that the centering means (35, 91) comprises bearing surfaces (37) which support the drive means (5) at longitudinally spaced locations therealong to maintain the drive means at a longitudinal central or neutral position within the catheter as the catheter is bent through any arc up to the minimum radius of curvature.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
A catheter according to Claim 2 characterised in that the bearings (35) have an opening (39) therein forming a bearing surface (40) through which the drive means (5) extends, the bearings (35) being arranged to pivot with respect to each other as the catheter is bent so that the drive means (5) is maintained in the central or neutral position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A catheter according to Claim 2 or 3 characterised in that the opening (39) of the bearing is sufficiently short to provide adequate clearance for the drive means (5) when the catheter is bent to the minimum radius of curvature.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A catheter according to Claim 2, 3 or 4 characterised in that spacers (36) are present between adjacent bearings (35) to maintain them a predetermined distance apart.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A catheter according to Claim 5 characterised in that the spacers (36) have a pair of flared free ends (37) to receive ball like bearings (35).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
A catheter according to any preceding Claim characterised in that the distal end of the catheter includes a fixed bearing (42) in which connector means (22) is disposed, the connector means (22) being secured to the distal end of the drive means (5) and releasably connected to the tool (3).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
A catheter according to any preceding Claim characterised in that cooling and lubricative fluid is arranged to flow from adjacent the proximal end to the distal end of the catheter through the bearings (35) and out through the interface (13, 78) between the working tool (3) and the distal end of the. tubular member (14).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A catheter according to Claim 1 characterised in that the centering means comprises a spiral of at least one wire (91) wrapped about the drive means (89).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
A catheter according to Claim 1 characterised in that the drive means and the centering means comprises a helix of two wires (109, 110) both arranged to rotate about the longitudinal central axis (66) of the catheter (61, 101).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
A catheter according to Claim 9 or 10 characterised in that the wire (91, 109, 110) is formed of a tough, flexible low friction material such as beryllium copper.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
A catheter according to any of Claim 9 to 11 characterised in that the distal end of the wire (91,109,110) is secured to a bush (69, 112) at the distal end of the catheter (61, 101).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
A catheter according to any preceding Ciaim characterised in that the tool (3, 62) is releasably connected to the catheter.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
A catheter according to any preceding Ciaim characterised in that the tool (3, 62) is releasably connected to the catheter.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4445509A
Cited
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