Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
An instrument placement system for use in conjunction with a guide wire, the system comprising: an elongate instrument to be placed having a slide coupling for mounting slidably upon the guide wire; an elongate positioner; and an end-to-end coupling mechanism including a first coupling portion and a second coupling portion cooperative to join together in end-to-end relation said instrument to be placed and said positioner, said first coupling portion operative at a proximal end of said instrument to be placed and said second coupling portion operative at distal end of said positioner, said coupling mechanism further including a de-coupling portion operable exclusively at a proximal end of said positioner to release said first and second portions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
An instrument placement system for use in conjunction with a guide wire, the system comprising: an elongate instrument to be placed having a slide coupling for mounting slidably upon the guide wire; an elongate positioner; and an end-to-end coupling mechanism including a first coupling portion and a second coupling portion cooperative to join together in end-to-end relation said instrument to be placed and said positioner, said first coupling portion operative at a proximal end of said instrument to be placed and said second coupling portion operative at distal end of said positioner, said coupling mechanism further including a de-coupling portion operable exclusively at a proximal end of said positioner to release said first and second portions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein said first coupling portion is a tail attached to the instrument to be placed and the second coupling mechanism is attached to the positioner and adapted to selectively capture said tail.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
68 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein one of said first and second coupling portions is a loop formation and the other one of said first and second coupling portions is stylet co-axially received within said instrument to be placed and co-axially received within said positioner and cooperative with a slot formation to capture said loop within said slot by blocking exit of said loop by said stylet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein one of said first and second coupling portions is a tail attached to the corresponding one of said instrument to be placed and said positioner and the other one of said first and second coupling portions comprises a loop collapsible to capture therein said tail.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
A system according to claim 4 wherein said positioner defines said de-coupling portion as an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve in slidable concentric relative relation with said loop attach to one of said sleeves and restricted by at least one aperture of the other one of said sleeves such that relative longitudinal movement between said inner and outer sleeves accomplishes collapse and expansion of said loop.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
71 words
A system according to claim 5 wherein said de-coupling portion further comprises: a lock handle including a first handle portion attached to said outer sleeve and a second handle portion attached to said inner sleeve and in sliding relation to said first handle portion; and a catch for maintaining a given position of said first handle portion relative to said second handle portion corresponding to a collapsed condition of said loop.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
217 words
An instrument placement system for use in conjunction with a guide wire, the system comprising: an elongate instrument to be placed having a slide coupling for mounting slidably upon the guide wire; an elongate positioner; and an end-to-end coupling mechanism including a first coupling portion and a second coupling portion cooperative to join together in end-to-end relation said instrument to be placed and said positioner, said first coupling portion operative at a proximal end of said instrument to be placed and said second coupling portion operative at distal end of said positioner, said coupling mechanism further including a de-coupling portion operable at a proximal end of said positioner to release said first and second portions said first coupling portion being a tail attached to the instrument to be placed and said second coupling mechanism being attached to the positioner and adapted to selectively capture said tail, said positioner defining said de-coupling portion as an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve in slidable concentric relative relation, the distal end of said inner sleeve defining a flare formation and adjacent thereto a length portion of less diameter relative to said flare formation whereby said tail may be captured at said flare formation and between the inner and outer sleeves by relative longitudinal movement between said inner and outer sleeves.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
217 words
An instrument placement system for use in conjunction with a guide wire, the system comprising: an elongate instrument to be placed having a slide coupling for mounting slidably upon the guide wire; an elongate positioner; and an end-to-end coupling mechanism including a first coupling portion and a second coupling portion cooperative to join together in end-to-end relation said instrument to be placed and said positioner, said first coupling portion operative at a proximal end of said instrument to be placed and said second coupling portion operative at distal end of said positioner, said coupling mechanism further including a de-coupling portion operable at a proximal end of said positioner to release said first and second portions said first coupling portion being a tail attached to the instrument to be placed and said second coupling mechanism being attached to the positioner and adapted to selectively capture said tail, said positioner defining said de-coupling portion as an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve in slidable concentric relative relation, the distal end of said inner sleeve defining a flare formation and adjacent thereto a length portion of less diameter relative to said flare formation whereby said tail may be captured at said flare formation and between the inner and outer sleeves by relative longitudinal movement between said inner and outer sleeves.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
78 words
A system according to claim 7 wherein said de-coupling portion further comprises: a lock handle including a first handle portion attached to said outer sleeve and a second handle portion attached to said inner sleeve and in sliding relation to said first handle portion; and a catch for maintaining a given position of said first handle portion relative to said second handle portion corresponding said flare formation being substantially coincident with the distal end of said outer sleeve.