Patent US4723936A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4723936A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Steerable catheter
Assignee: PLUNKETT DIANNE MF
•
Filing: 1986-07-22
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Granted: 1988-02-09
•
Expires: 2006-07-22
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to steerable catheter (6). More particularly, this invention relates to steerable catheters (6) comprising a flexible catheter (12) comprising a spring coil body (4) defining a lumen (14), the spring coil body having a flexible covering thereon (12); a deflection wire (2), the distal end (10) of the deflection wire being attached to the distal end of the spring coil body; and control means (20) attached to the proximal end of the catheter, the proximal end of the deflection wire extending to the control means and the control means having an engaging means (21, 23) which fixedly engages said deflection wire (2).
Inventors
- 👤 Maurice Buchbinder
- 👤 Ronald J. Solar
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 23:28
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/01; A61M25/0105; A61M25/09; A61M25/09016; A61M25/09033; A61M25/09041; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/22; A61B2017/22001; A61M2025/0001; A61M2025/0003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 82
Claim 1
Independent Claim
203 words
A steerable dilatation catheter means comprising: a flexible catheter comprising a spring coil body defining a lumen, each of said catheter and said spring coil body having proximal and distal ends, the distal end of said spring coil body being closed, and said spring coil body having a flexible covering thereon, dilatation balloon means positioned concentrically around the distal end of said spring coil body, a deflection wire having proximal and distal ends and being substantially co-extensive with said spring coil body, the distal end of said deflection wire being attached to the distal end of said spring coil body, and control means attached to the proximal end of said catheter, the proximal end of said deflection wire extending to the control means, the control means having engaging means which fixedly engages the proximal end of said deflection wire to cause said deflection wire to be displaced distally or proximally, said displacement causing the distal end of said catheter to bend out of or toward the line of its longitudinal axis, and the control means having rotation means to cause said deflection wire and said catheter to rotate together to cause the distal end of said catheter to rotate about its longitudinal axis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
203 words
A steerable dilatation catheter means comprising: a flexible catheter comprising a spring coil body defining a lumen, each of said catheter and said spring coil body having proximal and distal ends, the distal end of said spring coil body being closed, and said spring coil body having a flexible covering thereon, dilatation balloon means positioned concentrically around the distal end of said spring coil body, a deflection wire having proximal and distal ends and being substantially co-extensive with said spring coil body, the distal end of said deflection wire being attached to the distal end of said spring coil body, and control means attached to the proximal end of said catheter, the proximal end of said deflection wire extending to the control means, the control means having engaging means which fixedly engages the proximal end of said deflection wire to cause said deflection wire to be displaced distally or proximally, said displacement causing the distal end of said catheter to bend out of or toward the line of its longitudinal axis, and the control means having rotation means to cause said deflection wire and said catheter to rotate together to cause the distal end of said catheter to rotate about its longitudinal axis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The catheter means of claim 1, wherein there is spacing between the flexible covering and said spring coil body sufficient to facilitate inflation of the dilatation balloon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The catheter means of claim 1 which comprises an anchor wire having proximal and distal ends, the proximal and distal ends of the anchor wire being affixed to the proximal and distal ends, respectively, of the spring coil body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The catheter means of claim 1 which comprises an optical fiber having proximal and distal ends, the distal end of the optical fiber being attached to the distal end of the catheter and the proximal end of the optical fiber extending through the control means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The catheter means of claim 4, wherein the optical fiber has a pressure sensing membrane at its distal end and means at its proximal end to convert a signal from the pressure sensing membrane into an electrical signal or pulse.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The catheter means of claim 4, wherein the optical fiber is within the lumen defined by said spring coil body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The catheter means of claim 4, wherein the optical fiber is between said spring coil body and said flexible covering.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The catheter means of claim 1 which comprises a flexible tip having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end of the flexible tip being attached to the distal end of the spring coil body.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The catheter means of claim 8, wherein the flexible tip is a floppy wire comprised of spring wire.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The catheter means of claim 9, wherein the wire comprises radiopaque material selected from the group consisting of platinum, gold, tungsten, and tantalum.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The catheter means of claim 1, wherein the flexible covering comprises a flexible polymeric material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The catheter means of claim 11, wherein the flexible polymeric material is polytetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene, or polyvinyl chloride.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The catheter means of claim 1, wherein the deflection wire is within the lumen defined by said spring coil body.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The catheter means of claim 1, wherein the deflection wire is between said spring coil body and said flexible covering.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The catheter means of claim 1, wherein the spring coil body comprises two or more spring coils.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
49 words
The catheter means of claim 15, wherein the spring coil body comprises two spring coils having respective smaller and larger diameters, the proximal end of the spring coil with the smaller diameter being bonded to the inside of the distal end of the spring coil with the larger diameter.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
The catheter means of claim 1, wherein said spring coil body is less tightly wound for a predetermined length at a point substantially adjacent to the distal end of said spring coil body and within the dilatation balloon means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The catheter means of claim 17, wherein the dilatation balloon means is capable of being inflated by fluid entering the dilatation balloon means through the less tightly wound coils in said predetermined length.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
139 words
A steerable dilatation catheter means comprising: a flexible catheter comprising a spring coil body defining a lumen, each of said catheter and said spring coil body having proximal and distal ends, the distal end of said spring coil body being closed, and said spring coil body having a flexible covering thereon, dilatation balloon means positioned concentrically around the distal end of said spring coil wire, an anchor wire having a proximal and distal ends, the proximal and distal ends of the anchor wire being affixed to the proximal and distal ends, respectively, of the spring coil body, and control means attached to the proximal end of said catheter, said control means having rotation means to cause said catheter and said anchor wire to rotate together to cause the distal end of said catheter to rotate about its longitudinal axis.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
139 words
A steerable dilatation catheter means comprising: a flexible catheter comprising a spring coil body defining a lumen, each of said catheter and said spring coil body having proximal and distal ends, the distal end of said spring coil body being closed, and said spring coil body having a flexible covering thereon, dilatation balloon means positioned concentrically around the distal end of said spring coil wire, an anchor wire having a proximal and distal ends, the proximal and distal ends of the anchor wire being affixed to the proximal and distal ends, respectively, of the spring coil body, and control means attached to the proximal end of said catheter, said control means having rotation means to cause said catheter and said anchor wire to rotate together to cause the distal end of said catheter to rotate about its longitudinal axis.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
The catheter means of claim 19, wherein there is spacing between the flexible covering and said spring coil body sufficient to facilitate inflation of the dilatation balloon.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
45 words
The catheter means of claim 19 which comprises an optical fiber having proximal and distal ends, the distal end of the optical fiber being attached to the distal end of the catheter and the proximal end of the optical fiber extending through the control means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
40 words
The catheter means of claim 21, wherein the optical fiber has a pressure sensing membrane at its distal end and means at its proximal end to convert a signal from the pressure sensing membrane into an electrical signal or pulse.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
The catheter means of claim 21, wherein the optical fiber is within the lumen defined by said spring coil body.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
The catheter means of claim 21, wherein the optical fiber is between said spring coil body and said flexible covering.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
34 words
The catheter means of claim 19 which comprises a flexible tip having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end of the flexible tip being attached to the distal end of the spring coil body.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
18 words
The catheter means of claim 25, wherein the flexible tip is a floppy wire comprised of spring wire.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
23 words
The catheter means of claim 26, wherein the wire comprises radiopaque material selected from the group consisting of platinum, gold, tungsten, and tantalum.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
15 words
The catheter means of claim 19, wherein the flexible covering comprises a flexible polymeric material.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
17 words
The catheter means of claim 28, wherein the flexible polymeric material is polytetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene, or polyvinyl chloride.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
The catheter means of claim 19, wherein the spring coil body comprises two or more spring coils.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
49 words
The catheter means of claim 30, wherein the spring coil body comprises two spring coils having respective smaller and larger diameters, the proximal end of the spring coil with the smaller diameter being bonded to the inside of the distal end of the spring coil with the larger diameter.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
33 words
The catheter means of claim 19, wherein said spring coil body is less tightly wound for a predetermined length at a point substantially adjacent to the distal end of said spring coil body.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
31 words
The catheter means of claim 32, wherein the dilatation balloon is capable of being inflated by fluid entering the dilatation balloon through the less tightly wound coils in said predetermined length.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
230 words
A steerable dilatation catheter means comprising: a flexible catheter comprising a spring coil body defining a lumen, said spring coil body having proximal and distal ends, a flexible tip having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end of said flexible tip being positioned a short distance from the distal end of said spring coil body to form a discfontinuity, and a flexible covering, said flexible covering extending from the proximal end of said spring coil body along the length of said spring coil body across said discontinuity to the proximal end of said flexible tip, dilatation balloon means positioned concentrically around said discontinuity, a deflection wire having proximal and distal ends, said deflection wire extending substantially co-extensively with said spring coil body, the distal end of said deflection wire being attached to the proximal end of said flexible tip, and control means attached to the proximal end of said spring coil body and having engaging means which fixedly engages the proximal end of said deflection wire to cause said deflection wire to be displaced distally or proximally, said displacement causing the distal end of said catheter to bend out of or toward the line of its longitudinal axis, and the control means having rotation means to cause said deflection wire and said catheter to rotate together to cause the distal end of said catheter to rotate about its longitudinal axis.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
230 words
A steerable dilatation catheter means comprising: a flexible catheter comprising a spring coil body defining a lumen, said spring coil body having proximal and distal ends, a flexible tip having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end of said flexible tip being positioned a short distance from the distal end of said spring coil body to form a discfontinuity, and a flexible covering, said flexible covering extending from the proximal end of said spring coil body along the length of said spring coil body across said discontinuity to the proximal end of said flexible tip, dilatation balloon means positioned concentrically around said discontinuity, a deflection wire having proximal and distal ends, said deflection wire extending substantially co-extensively with said spring coil body, the distal end of said deflection wire being attached to the proximal end of said flexible tip, and control means attached to the proximal end of said spring coil body and having engaging means which fixedly engages the proximal end of said deflection wire to cause said deflection wire to be displaced distally or proximally, said displacement causing the distal end of said catheter to bend out of or toward the line of its longitudinal axis, and the control means having rotation means to cause said deflection wire and said catheter to rotate together to cause the distal end of said catheter to rotate about its longitudinal axis.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
27 words
The catheter means of claim 34, wherein there is spacing between the flexible covering and said spring coil body sufficient to facilitate inflation of the dilatation balloon.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
39 words
The catheter means of claim 34 which comprises an anchor wire having proximal and distal ends, the proximal and distal ends of the anchor wire being affixed to the proximal and distal ends, respectively, of the spring coil body.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
45 words
The catheter means of claim 34 which comprises an optical fiber having proximal and distal ends, the distal end of the optical fiber being attached to the distal end of the catheter and the proximal end of the optical fiber extending through the control means.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
40 words
The catheter means of claim 37, wherein the optical fiber has a pressure sensing membrane at its distal end and means at its proximal end to convert a signal from the pressure sensing membrane into an electrical signal or pulse.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
20 words
The catheter means of claim 37, wherein the optical fiber is within the lumen defined by said spring coil body.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
20 words
The catheter means of claim 37, wherein the optical fiber is between said spring coil body and said flexible covering.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
18 words
The catheter means of claim 34, wherein the flexible tip is a floppy wire comprised of spring wire.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
23 words
The catheter means of claim 41, wherein the wire comprises radiopaque material selected from the group consisting of platinum, gold, tungsten, and tantalum.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
15 words
The catheter means of claim 34, wherein the flexible covering comprises a flexible polymeric material.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
17 words
The catheter means of claim 43, wherein the flexible polymeric material is polytetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene, or polyvinyl chloride.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
20 words
The catheter means of claim 34, wherein the deflection wire is within the lumen defined by said spring coil body.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
20 words
The catheter means of claim 34, wherein the deflection wire is between said spring coil body and said flexible covering.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
17 words
The catheter means of claim 34, wherein the spring coil body comprises two or more spring coils.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
178 words
A steerable catheter means comprising: a flexible catheter comprising a spring coil body defining a lumen, each of said catheter and said spring coil body having proximal and distal ends, the distal end of said spring coil body being open, a deflection wire having proximal and distal ends and being substantially co-extensive with said spring coil body, the distal end of said deflection wire being attached to the distal end of said spring coil body, and control means attached to the proximal end of said catheter, the proximal end of said deflection wire extending to the control means, the control means having engaging means which fixedly engages the proximal end of said deflection wire to cause said deflection wire to be displaced distally or proximally, said displacement causing the distal end of said catheter to bend out of or toward the line of its longitudinal axis, and the control means having rotation means to cause said deflection wire and said catheter to rotate together to cause the distal end of said catheter to rotate about its longitudinal axis.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
178 words
A steerable catheter means comprising: a flexible catheter comprising a spring coil body defining a lumen, each of said catheter and said spring coil body having proximal and distal ends, the distal end of said spring coil body being open, a deflection wire having proximal and distal ends and being substantially co-extensive with said spring coil body, the distal end of said deflection wire being attached to the distal end of said spring coil body, and control means attached to the proximal end of said catheter, the proximal end of said deflection wire extending to the control means, the control means having engaging means which fixedly engages the proximal end of said deflection wire to cause said deflection wire to be displaced distally or proximally, said displacement causing the distal end of said catheter to bend out of or toward the line of its longitudinal axis, and the control means having rotation means to cause said deflection wire and said catheter to rotate together to cause the distal end of said catheter to rotate about its longitudinal axis.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
39 words
The catheter means of claim 48 which comprises an anchor wire having proximal and distal ends, the proximal and distal ends of the anchor wire being affixed to the proximal and distal ends, respectively, of the spring coil body.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
45 words
The catheter means of claim 48 which comprises an optical fiber having proximal and distal ends, the distal end of the optical fiber being attached to the distal end of the catheter and the proximal end of the optical fiber extending through the control means.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
40 words
The catheter means of claim 50, wherein the optical fiber has a pressure sensing membrane at its distal end and means at its proximal end to convert a signal from the pressure sensing membrane into an electrial signal or pulse.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
20 words
The catheter means of claim 50, wherein the optical fiber is within the lumen defined by said spring coil body.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
20 words
The catheter means of claim 48, wherein said spring coil body has a flexible covering comprising a flexible polymeric material.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
20 words
The catheter means of claim 50, wherein the optical fiber is between said spring coil body and said flexible covering.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
17 words
The catheter means of claim 53, wherein the flexible polymeric material is polytetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene, or polyvinyl chloride.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
20 words
The catheter means of claim 48, wherein the deflection wire is within the lumen defined by said spring coil body.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
20 words
The catheter means of claim 48, wherein the deflection wire is between said spring coil body and said flexible covering.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
17 words
The catheter means of claim 48, wherein the spring coil body comprises two or more spring coils.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
49 words
The catheter means of claim 50, wherein the spring coil body comprises two spring coils having respective smaller and larger diameters, the proximal end of the spring coil with the smaller diameter being bonded to the inside of the distal end of the spring coil with the larger diameter.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
33 words
The catheter means of claim 48, wherein said spring coil body is less tightly wound for a predetermined length at a point substantially adjacent to the distal end of said spring coil body.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
24 words
The catheter means of claim 53, wherein the flexible covering forms an atraumatic, annular tip at the distal end of the spring coil body.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
123 words
A steerable catheter means comprising: a flexible catheter comprising a spring coil body defining a lumen, each of said catheter and said spring coil body having proximal and distal ends, the distal end of said spring coil body being open, and said spring coil body having a flexible covering thereon, an anchor wire having proximal and distal ends, the proximal and distal ends of the anchor wire being affixed to the proximal and distal ends, respectively, of the spring coil body, and control means attached to the proximal end of said catheter, said control means having rotation means to cause said catheter and said anchor wire to rotate together to cause the distal end of said catheter to rotate about its longitudinal axis.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
123 words
A steerable catheter means comprising: a flexible catheter comprising a spring coil body defining a lumen, each of said catheter and said spring coil body having proximal and distal ends, the distal end of said spring coil body being open, and said spring coil body having a flexible covering thereon, an anchor wire having proximal and distal ends, the proximal and distal ends of the anchor wire being affixed to the proximal and distal ends, respectively, of the spring coil body, and control means attached to the proximal end of said catheter, said control means having rotation means to cause said catheter and said anchor wire to rotate together to cause the distal end of said catheter to rotate about its longitudinal axis.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
45 words
The catheter means of claim 62 which comrpises an optical fiber having proximal and distal ends, the distal end of the optical fiber being attached to the distal end of the catheter and the proximal end of the optical fiber extending through the control means.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
40 words
The cather means of claim 63, wherein the optical fiber has a pressure sensing membrane at its distal end and means at its proximal end to convert a signal from the pressure sensing membrane into an electrical signal or pulse.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
20 words
The catheter means of claim 63, wherein the optical fiber is within the lumen defined by said spring coil body.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
20 words
The catheter means of claim 63, wherein the optical fiber is between said spring coil body and said flexible covering.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
15 words
The catheter means of claim 62, wherein the flexible covering comprises a flexible polymeric material.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
17 words
The catheter means of claim 67, wherein the flexible polymeric material is polytetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene, or polyvinyl chloride.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
17 words
The catheter means of claim 62, wherein the spring coil body comprises two or more spring coils.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
49 words
The catheter means of claim 69, wherein the spring coil body comprises two spring coils having respective smaller and larger diameters, the proximal end of the spring coil with the smaller diameter being bonded to the inside of the distal end of the spring coil with the larger diameter.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
33 words
The catheter means of claim 62, wherein said spring coil body is less tightly wound for a predetermined length at a point substantially adjacent to the distal end of said spring coil body.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
232 words
A steerable dilatation catheter means comprising: a flexible catheter comprising a spring coil body defining a lumen, each of said catheter and said spring coil body having proximal and distal ends, the distal end of said spring coil body being closed, and said spring coil body having a flexible covering thereon, dilatation balloon means positioned concentrically around the distal end of said spring coil body, said spring coil body being less tightly wound for a predetermined length at a point substantially adjacent to the distal end of said spring coil body and within the dilatation ballon means, a deflection wire having proximal and distal ends and extending axially through said lumen, said deflection wire being substantially co-extensive with said spring coil body and the distal end of said deflection wire being attached to the distal end of said spring coil body, and control means attached to the proximal end of said catheter, the control means having engaging means which fixedly engages the proximal end of said deflection wire to cause said deflection wire to be displaced distally or proximally, said displacement causing the distal end of said catheter to bend out of or toward the line of its longitudinal axis, and the control means having rotation means to cause said deflection wire and said catheter to rotate together to cause the distal end of said cather to rotate about its longitudinal axis.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
232 words
A steerable dilatation catheter means comprising: a flexible catheter comprising a spring coil body defining a lumen, each of said catheter and said spring coil body having proximal and distal ends, the distal end of said spring coil body being closed, and said spring coil body having a flexible covering thereon, dilatation balloon means positioned concentrically around the distal end of said spring coil body, said spring coil body being less tightly wound for a predetermined length at a point substantially adjacent to the distal end of said spring coil body and within the dilatation ballon means, a deflection wire having proximal and distal ends and extending axially through said lumen, said deflection wire being substantially co-extensive with said spring coil body and the distal end of said deflection wire being attached to the distal end of said spring coil body, and control means attached to the proximal end of said catheter, the control means having engaging means which fixedly engages the proximal end of said deflection wire to cause said deflection wire to be displaced distally or proximally, said displacement causing the distal end of said catheter to bend out of or toward the line of its longitudinal axis, and the control means having rotation means to cause said deflection wire and said catheter to rotate together to cause the distal end of said cather to rotate about its longitudinal axis.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
244 words
A steerable dilatation catheter means comprising: a flexible catheter comprising a spring coil body defining a lumen, each of said catheter and said spring coil body having proximal and distal ends, the distal end of said spring coil body being closed, and said spring coil body having a flexible polymeric covering thereon, dilatation balloon means positioned concentrically around the distal end of said spring coil body, a deflection wire having proximal and distal ends and extending axially through said lumen, said deflection wire being substantially co-extensive with said spring coil body and the distal end of said deflection wire being attached to the distal end of said spring coil body, an anchor wire having proximal and distal ends, the proximal and distal ends of the anchor wire being affixed to the proximal and distal ends, respectively, of the spring coil body, and control means attached to the proximal end of said catheter, the proximal end of said deflection wire extending to the control means, the control means having engaging means which fixedly engages the proximal end of said deflection wire to cause said deflection wire to be displaced distally or proximally, said displacement causing the distal end of said catheter to bend out of or toward the line of its longitudinal axis, and the control means having rotation means to cause said deflection wire and said catheter to rotate together to cause the distal end of said catheter to rotate about its longitudinal axis.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
244 words
A steerable dilatation catheter means comprising: a flexible catheter comprising a spring coil body defining a lumen, each of said catheter and said spring coil body having proximal and distal ends, the distal end of said spring coil body being closed, and said spring coil body having a flexible polymeric covering thereon, dilatation balloon means positioned concentrically around the distal end of said spring coil body, a deflection wire having proximal and distal ends and extending axially through said lumen, said deflection wire being substantially co-extensive with said spring coil body and the distal end of said deflection wire being attached to the distal end of said spring coil body, an anchor wire having proximal and distal ends, the proximal and distal ends of the anchor wire being affixed to the proximal and distal ends, respectively, of the spring coil body, and control means attached to the proximal end of said catheter, the proximal end of said deflection wire extending to the control means, the control means having engaging means which fixedly engages the proximal end of said deflection wire to cause said deflection wire to be displaced distally or proximally, said displacement causing the distal end of said catheter to bend out of or toward the line of its longitudinal axis, and the control means having rotation means to cause said deflection wire and said catheter to rotate together to cause the distal end of said catheter to rotate about its longitudinal axis.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
18 words
The catheter means of claim 73, wherein the spring coil body may comprise two or more spring coils.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
46 words
The catheter means of claim 74, wherein the spring coil body comprises two spring coils having respective smaller and larger diameters, the proximal end of the spring coil with the smaller diameter being bonded to the distal end of the spring coil with the larger diameter.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-02-08 | 1991-08-10 | 1992-02-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-02-08 | 1995-08-10 | 1996-02-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-02-08 | 1999-08-10 | 2000-02-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |