Steerable and aimable catheter

Claim 2

A catheter comprising an elongated tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end for insertion into a body, at least two temperature-activated memory elements in the distal end of the tubular member, each memory element moving to assume a predetermined shape when heated to a predetermined temperature, the memory elements being disposed in the distal end of the tubular member so that they move in different directions to assume their predetermined shapes, means for coupling one memory element to another memory element so that when the one memory element moves in a first direction to assume its predetermined shape a force is applied to move the other memory element in the first direction and when the other memory element moves in a second direction,to assume its predetermined shape a force is applied to move the one memory element in the second direction, and control means for heating selectively each memory element to the predetermined temperature so that the one memory element assumes its predetermined shape and the other memory element is moved to deflect the distal end of the tubular member in the first direction and so that the other memory element assumes its predetermined shape and the one memory element is moved to deflect the distal end of the tubular member in the second direction.

Claim 3

The catheter of claim 1 wherein the predetermined shape is a curved shape.

Claim 4

The catheter of claim 2 wherein the distal end of the tubular member is formed of flexible non-conductive material and each memory element is formed of a metal having a relatively high electrical resistence.

Claim 5

The catheter of claim 3 wherein the control means includes a power supply source, means for coupling the power supply source to the memory elements, and a control device for selectively applying power to heat the memory elements to their predetermined temperatures to steer the distal end of the tubular member through cavities in the body.

Claim 6

The catheter of claim 3 wherein the tubular member includes means providing a passageway therethrough and the memory elements are disposed exterior to the passageway in the distal end of the tubular member.

Claim 7

The catheter of claim 5 wherein the tubular member further includes light-transmitting means in the passageway for transmitting light from the proximal end to the distal end of the tubular member.

Claim 8

The catheter of claim 6 wherein the control means includes a power supply source, means for coupling the power supply source to the memory elements, and a control device for selectively applying power to heat the memory elements to their predetermined temperatures to aim the distal end and light-transmitting means of the tubular member at a desired object in the body.

Claim 9

The catheter of claim 7 wherein the memory elements are formed of a nickel titanium alloy.

Claim 10

The catheter of claim 8 wherein the tubular member further includes fluid-transmitting means in the passageway for transmitting fluid from the proximal end to the distal end of the tubular member and vice versa.

Claim 11

The catheter of claim 3 wherein the two memory elements are located in diametrically opposed relationship to each other in the distal end of the tubular member.

Claim 12

The catheter of claim 3 further comprising four memory elements in the distal end of the tubular member and wherein the control means includes means for selectively applying an electrical current to each memory element to deflect the distal end of the tubular member in at least four different directions inside the body.

Claim 13

The catheter of claim 11 wherein two of the memory elements are coupled in diametrically opposed relationship to each other in the distal end of the tubular member.

Claim 14

A catheter for insertion into a body cavity comprising an elongated tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end for insertion into the body cavity, at least two temperature-activated memory elements in the distal end of the tubular member, each memory element moving to assume a predetermined shape when heated to a predetermined temperature, the memory elements being disposed in the distal end of the tubular member so that they move in different directions to assume their predetermined shapes, means for coupling a first memory element to a second memory element so that when the first memory element moves in a first direction to assume its predetermined shape a force is applied to move the second memory element in the first direction and when the second memory element moves in a second direction to assume its predetermined shape a force is applied to move the first memory element in the second direction, a power supply source, and means for applying power selectively to each of the memory elements to heat them to the predetermined temperature so that the first memory element assumes its predetermined shape and the second memory element is moved to deflect the distal end of the tubular member in the first direction and so that the second memory element assumes its predetermined shape and the first memory element is moved to deflect the distal end of the tubular member in the second direction.

Claim 15

A catheter for insertion into a body cavity comprising an elongated tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end for insertion into the body cavity, at least two temperature-activated memory elements in the distal end of the tubular member, each memory element moving to assume a predetermined shape when heated to a predetermined temperature, the memory elements being disposed in the distal end of the tubular member so that they move in different directions to assume their predetermined shapes, means for coupling a first memory element to a second memory element so that when the first memory element moves in a first direction to assume its predetermined shape a force is applied to move the second memory element in the first direction and when the second memory element moves in a second direction to assume its predetermined shape a force is applied to move the first memory element in the second direction, a power supply source, and means for applying power selectively to each of the memory elements to heat them to the predetermined temperature so that the first memory element assumes its predetermined shape and the second memory element is moved to deflect the distal end of the tubular member in the first direction and so that the second memory element assumes its predetermined shape and the first memory element is moved to deflect the distal end of the tubular member in the second direction.

Claim 16

A catheter comprising an elongated tubular member having a distal end for insertion into a body, at least two thermally independent temperature-activated memory elements aligned in spaced-apart relation in the distal end of the tubular member, each memory element moving to assume a predetermined shape when heated to a predetermined temperature, the memory elements being disposed in the distal end of the tubular member so that they move in different directions to assume their predetermined shapes, interconnecting means for connecting one memory element to another memory element so that when the one memory element moves in a first direction to assume its predetermined shape a force is applied to move the other memory element in the first direction and when the other memory element moves in a second direction to assume its predetermined shape a force is applied to move the one memory element in a second direction and for thermally insulating the memory elements from each other so that the temperature of the one memory element is generally unaffected by heating the other memory element and vice versa, and control means for heating selectively each memory element so that the one memory element assumes its predetermined shape and the other memory element is moved to deflect the distal end of the tubular member in the first direction and so that the other memory element assumes its predetermined shape and the one memory element is moved to deflect the distal end of the tubular member in the second direction.

Claim 17

A catheter comprising an elongated tubular member having a distal end for insertion into a body, at least two thermally independent temperature-activated memory elements aligned in spaced-apart relation in the distal end of the tubular member, each memory element moving to assume a predetermined shape when heated to a predetermined temperature, the memory elements being disposed in the distal end of the tubular member so that they move in different directions to assume their predetermined shapes, interconnecting means for connecting one memory element to another memory element so that when the one memory element moves in a first direction to assume its predetermined shape a force is applied to move the other memory element in the first direction and when the other memory element moves in a second direction to assume its predetermined shape a force is applied to move the one memory element in a second direction and for thermally insulating the memory elements from each other so that the temperature of the one memory element is generally unaffected by heating the other memory element and vice versa, and control means for heating selectively each memory element so that the one memory element assumes its predetermined shape and the other memory element is moved to deflect the distal end of the tubular member in the first direction and so that the other memory element assumes its predetermined shape and the one memory element is moved to deflect the distal end of the tubular member in the second direction.

Claim 18

A catheter comprising an elongated hollow tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end tor insertion into the body, a core member within the distal end of the hollow tubular member, at least two temperature-activated memory elements, each memory element moving to assume a predetermined shape when heated to a predetermined temperature, coupling means for coupling one memory element to another memory element so that when the one memory element moves in a first direction to assume its predetermined shape a force is applied to move the other memory element in the first direction and when the other memory element moves in a second direction to assume its predetermined shape a force is applied to move the one memory element in the second direction, the coupling means including sleeve means for slidably coupling each memory element to the core member so that each memory element is permitted to slip in relation to the adjacent core member when at least one of the memory elements moves to assume its predetermined shape, and control means for selectively heating each memory element to move at least one of the memory elements to assume its predetermined shape to deflect the distal end of the tubular member in a selected direction and to slide each memory element in relation to the adjacent core member so that the memory elements are able to move in slipping relation to the distal end of the core member, whereby maneuverability of the tubular member within the body toward a selected deflected position is increased.

Claim 19

A catheter comprising an elongated hollow tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end tor insertion into the body, a core member within the distal end of the hollow tubular member, at least two temperature-activated memory elements, each memory element moving to assume a predetermined shape when heated to a predetermined temperature, coupling means for coupling one memory element to another memory element so that when the one memory element moves in a first direction to assume its predetermined shape a force is applied to move the other memory element in the first direction and when the other memory element moves in a second direction to assume its predetermined shape a force is applied to move the one memory element in the second direction, the coupling means including sleeve means for slidably coupling each memory element to the core member so that each memory element is permitted to slip in relation to the adjacent core member when at least one of the memory elements moves to assume its predetermined shape, and control means for selectively heating each memory element to move at least one of the memory elements to assume its predetermined shape to deflect the distal end of the tubular member in a selected direction and to slide each memory element in relation to the adjacent core member so that the memory elements are able to move in slipping relation to the distal end of the core member, whereby maneuverability of the tubular member within the body toward a selected deflected position is increased.

Claim 20

The catheter of claim 15, wherein the sleeve means is a resilient tubular jacket for embracing the core member and the memory elements, the tubular jacket having an inner wall defining a slip chamber in which each memory element is able to slip in relation to the core member during selective heating of at least one of the memory elements.

Claim 21

The catheter of claim 15, wherein first and second memory elements are coupled to the core member, and the first memory element has a first radius of curvature and the second memory element has a second radius of curvature that is greater than the first radius of curvature when the first memory element moves to assume its predetermined shape.

Claim 22

The catheter of claim 15, each memory element includes a tip portion and a body portion and the coupling means further includes wrap means for slidably coupling at least a segment of the body portion of the core member so that the body portion segment is permitted to slip in relation to the core member when at least one of the memory elements moves to assume its predetermined shape.

Claim 23

The catheter of claim 15, wherein the core member includes a distal end positioned within the distal end of the hollow tubular member and the sleeve means couples each memory element to the distal end of the core member.

Claim 24

_ 20. The catheter of claim 19, wherein each memory element includes a tip portion and a body portion, and the sleeve means is a tubular jacket including an axially inner sleeve portion for the reception of the distal end of the core member and the tip portions of each memory element and an axially outer sleeve portion for the reception of the distal end of the core member.

Claim 25

The catheter of claim 20, wherein the tubular jacket is formed of a resilient material to embrace elastically the received memory elements so that each received memory element both is retainable in a core-guiding position and movable within the resilient tubular jacket to guide the distal end of the core to a selected position.

Claim 26

The catheter of claim 21, wherein the core and the tubular member are interconnected so that guided movement of the core in response to operation of at least one memory element moves the tubular member to a selected deflected position.

Claim 27

The catheter of claim 19, wherein the distal end of the core member has a forward tip portion, each memory element has a forward tip portion in close proximity to the distal end of the core member, first and second memory elements are positioned on opposite sides of the core member in spaced relation so that the core member is intermediate the first and second memory elements, and movement of the first memory element to assume its predetermined position causes the forward tip portion of the first memory element to move toward the forward tip portion of the core member and the forward tip portion of the second memory element to move away from the forward tip portion of the core member.

Claim 28

A catheter comprising an elongated hollow tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end for insertion into the body, a core member having a distal end positioned within the distal end of the hollow tubular member and movable therein, at least two temperature-activated memory elements, each memory element having a tip portion and a body portion and moving to assume a predetermined shape when heated to a predetermined temperature, sleeve means for slidably coupling the tip portion of each memory element to the distal end of the core member so that the tip portion of each memory element is permitted to slip in relation to the adjacent core member when at least one of the memory elements moves to assume its predetermined shape, wrap means for slidably coupling at least a segment of the body portion to the core member so that the body portion segment is permitted to slip in relation to the adjacent core member when at least one of the memory elements moves to assume its predetermined shape, and control means for selectively heating each memory element to move at least one of the elements to assume its predetermined shape to deflect the distal end of the tubular member in a selected direction and to slide the tip portion and the body portion segment of each memory element in relation to the adjacent core member so that the memory elements are able to move in slipping relation to the core member, whereby maneuverability of the tubular member within the body toward a selected deflected position is increased.

Claim 29

A catheter comprising an elongated hollow tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end for insertion into the body, a core member having a distal end positioned within the distal end of the hollow tubular member and movable therein, at least two temperature-activated memory elements, each memory element having a tip portion and a body portion and moving to assume a predetermined shape when heated to a predetermined temperature, sleeve means for slidably coupling the tip portion of each memory element to the distal end of the core member so that the tip portion of each memory element is permitted to slip in relation to the adjacent core member when at least one of the memory elements moves to assume its predetermined shape, wrap means for slidably coupling at least a segment of the body portion to the core member so that the body portion segment is permitted to slip in relation to the adjacent core member when at least one of the memory elements moves to assume its predetermined shape, and control means for selectively heating each memory element to move at least one of the elements to assume its predetermined shape to deflect the distal end of the tubular member in a selected direction and to slide the tip portion and the body portion segment of each memory element in relation to the adjacent core member so that the memory elements are able to move in slipping relation to the core member, whereby maneuverability of the tubular member within the body toward a selected deflected position is increased.

Claim 30

The catheter of claim 24, wherein the wrap means is a continuous filament.

Claim 31

The catheter of claim 25, wherein the filament embraces a radially outwardly-facing surface of each of the memory elements in sufficiently tight relation to retain the memory elements in their coupled position while permitting relative slipping movement between each coupled memory element and the core member.

Claim 32

The catheter of claim 24, wherein the continuous filament defines a plurality of winding bunches disposed along the length of the core member in spaced-apart relation so that the windings can move along the core member in relation to one another in the spaces therebetween during deflection of the distal end of the tubular member.

Claim 33

The catheter of claim 27, wherein each winding bunch includes three filament windings.

Claim 34

A catheter comprising an elongated hollow tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end for insertion into the body, a core member having a distal end positioned within the distal end of the hollow tubular member and movable therein, at least two temperature-activated memory elements, each memory element assuming a predetermined shape when heated to a predetermined temperature, sleeve means for slidably coupling each memory element to the distal end of the core member so that each memory element is permitted to slip in relation to the adjacent core member when at least one of the memory elements moves to assume its predetermined shape and for coupling one memory element to another memory element so that when the one memory element moves in a first direction to assume its predetermined shape a force is applied to move the other memory element in the first direction and when the other memory element moves in a second direction to assume its predetermined shape a force is applied to move the one memory element in the second direction, and control means for selectively heating each memory element so that each memory element slides in relation to the adjacent core member, the one memory element is moved to deflect the distal end of the tubular member in the second direction when the other memory element is heated to assume its predetermined shape, and the other memory element is moved to deflect the distal end of the tubular member in the first direction when the one memory element is heated to assume its predetermined shape, whereby maneuverability of the tubular member within the body toward a selected deflected position is increased.

Claim 35

A catheter comprising an elongated hollow tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end for insertion into the body, a core member having a distal end positioned within the distal end of the hollow tubular member and movable therein, at least two temperature-activated memory elements, each memory element assuming a predetermined shape when heated to a predetermined temperature, sleeve means for slidably coupling each memory element to the distal end of the core member so that each memory element is permitted to slip in relation to the adjacent core member when at least one of the memory elements moves to assume its predetermined shape and for coupling one memory element to another memory element so that when the one memory element moves in a first direction to assume its predetermined shape a force is applied to move the other memory element in the first direction and when the other memory element moves in a second direction to assume its predetermined shape a force is applied to move the one memory element in the second direction, and control means for selectively heating each memory element so that each memory element slides in relation to the adjacent core member, the one memory element is moved to deflect the distal end of the tubular member in the second direction when the other memory element is heated to assume its predetermined shape, and the other memory element is moved to deflect the distal end of the tubular member in the first direction when the one memory element is heated to assume its predetermined shape, whereby maneuverability of the tubular member within the body toward a selected deflected position is increased.