EP0256478A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Controllable flexibility catheter
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1987-08-10
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2007-08-10
Abstract
Abstract A guiding catheter 40 of variable, operator-controlled flexibility to be used in the performance of a percutaneous translumenal coronary angioplaty procedure is described which includes an elongate housing 42 suitable for insertion into an artery, as well as an operator-controlled variable stiffener coupled to the distal aspect of the catheter to permit the operator performing the angioplasty procedure to increase the rigidity of the catheter. In a preferred embodiment the stiffening apparatus consists of a balloon 50 extending longitudinally along the distal end of the catheter to allow increases in rigidity of the distal end as desired by the operator. Increasing the rigidity of the guiding catheter, once installed within the coronary ostium, precludes disengagement of the guiding catheter, thus expediting the performance and enhancing the safety of the procedure.
Inventors
- 👤 John W. Danforth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 03:44
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/0043; A61M25/0054; A61M25/01; A61M25/09; A61M25/09016; A61M25/09025; A61M2025/0063
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
65 words
A catheter comprising: an elongate housing having an opening extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the housing adapted to be inserted into a vessel; and controllable stiffening means coupled to the elongate housing to provide at least a first higher flexibility of the elongate housing and a second lower flexibility of the elongate housing as selected by a user of the catheter.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
65 words
A catheter comprising: an elongate housing having an opening extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the housing adapted to be inserted into a vessel; and controllable stiffening means coupled to the elongate housing to provide at least a first higher flexibility of the elongate housing and a second lower flexibility of the elongate housing as selected by a user of the catheter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A catheter as in Claim 1 wherein the controllable stiffening means comprises a longitudinally-extending balloon disposed along the elongate housing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A catheter as in Claim 2 further comprising a channel extending adjacent the opening of the elongate housing and coupled to the balloon to permit inflation thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A catheter as in Claim 3 wherein the channel extends from the proximal end to the balloon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A catheter as in Claim 3 wherein a wall of the balloon comprises a portion of an exterior surface of the elongate housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A catheter as in Claim 5 wherein the balloon is disposed approximately halfway around the cross sectional circumference of the exterior surface of the elongate housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A catheter as in Claim 2 further comprising a secondary balloon disposed along the elongate housing proximal to the distal end.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A catheter as in Claim 7 further comprising a secondary channel extending adjacent the opening of the elongate housing and coupled to the secondary balloon to permit inflation thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A catheter as in Claim 8 wherein a wall of the secondary balloon comprises a portion of an exterior surface of the elongate housing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A catheter as in Claim 9 wherein the secondary balloon is positioned axially offset from the primary balloon.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
A catheter as in Claim 1 further comprising an angioplasty dilation catheter disposed within the opening.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
A catheter as in Claim 1 wherein the controllable stiffening means comprises at least one channel formed interior to the elongate housing member for controlling the temperature thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
A catheter as in Claim 1 wherein the controllable stiffening means comprises at least one pre-bent wire to be inserted into the elongate housing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
A catheter as in Claim 1 wherein the controllable stiffening means comprises a channel adjacent the housing for containing fluid.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
89 words
A guiding catheter for use in angioplasty comprising: an elongate tube having an opening therethrough extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the tube adapted to be inserted into a vascular member; and controllable stiffening means coupled to the elongate tube and adapted to allow the tube to be made more rigid at selected times, whereby the tube and guidewire may be introduced into a vesicular member in a first less rigid state, then changed to a second more rigid state for performance of an angioplasty procedure.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
89 words
A guiding catheter for use in angioplasty comprising: an elongate tube having an opening therethrough extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the tube adapted to be inserted into a vascular member; and controllable stiffening means coupled to the elongate tube and adapted to allow the tube to be made more rigid at selected times, whereby the tube and guidewire may be introduced into a vesicular member in a first less rigid state, then changed to a second more rigid state for performance of an angioplasty procedure.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
59 words
A method for performing an angioplasty procedure using a guiding catheter having controllable stiffening means comprising: introducing the guiding catheter to a desired position within a patient; employing the controllable stiffening means to increase the rigidity of the catheter; performing the angioplasty procedure; employing the controllable stiffening means to reduce the rigidity of the catheter; and removing the catheter.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
59 words
A method for performing an angioplasty procedure using a guiding catheter having controllable stiffening means comprising: introducing the guiding catheter to a desired position within a patient; employing the controllable stiffening means to increase the rigidity of the catheter; performing the angioplasty procedure; employing the controllable stiffening means to reduce the rigidity of the catheter; and removing the catheter.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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