US5415633A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Remotely steered catheterization device
Assignee: Active Control Experts Inc
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Filing: 1993-07-28
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Granted: 1995-05-16
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Expires: 2013-07-28
Abstract
Abstract A remotely steerable guidewire, catheter or insertable active implement is disclosed. A steerable guidewire or a catheter for coronary and peripheral catheterizations is illustrated, using smart materials such as piezoelectrics for controlling its motions inside the body via control inputs applied from outside the body. A steerable portion of the device, which may be either an active flexible tip or an active region along the length of the implement, controls the shaft position or modifies its stiffness. In one embodiment, manipulation of electrical control inputs permits deflection of the steerable region through a range of motion about the axis of the implement in a single plane. In further embodiments, the tip may deflect in multiple planes about its longitudinal axis, or the catheter may be selectively stiffened to assume an arc shape or to firmly lodge the tip in position in a vessel.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth B. Lazarus
- 👤 Edward E. Crawley
- 👤 Richard D. Fish
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 02:25
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/01; A61M25/0105; A61M25/0133; A61M25/0158; A61M25/09; A61M2025/0161; A61M2025/0915; A61M25/0152
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A remotely steerable catheterization device, such device comprising an elongated body having proximal and distal ends, and being axially incompressible for advancing within a patient's body when pushed from the proximal end a steering tip at the distal end,, said steering tip including a flexible shim and a piezoceramic strain element attached to the shim by high shear strength bonding, and electrical conductor means extending in said body from the proximal end to the steering tip for conducting electricity thereto wherein said strain element controllably deflects the steering tip in response to control signals applied thereto via said electrical conductor means to steer the tip past vessel branches from said proximal end.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
A remotely steerable catheterization device, such device comprising an elongated body having proximal and distal ends, and being axially incompressible for advancing within a patient's body when pushed from the proximal end a steering tip at the distal end,, said steering tip including a flexible shim and a piezoceramic strain element attached to the shim by high shear strength bonding, and electrical conductor means extending in said body from the proximal end to the steering tip for conducting electricity thereto wherein said strain element controllably deflects the steering tip in response to control signals applied thereto via said electrical conductor means to steer the tip past vessel branches from said proximal end.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
A remotely steerable catheterization device according to claim 1, wherein said body is tubular.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A remotely steerable catheterization device according to claim 1, wherein said body is a guidewire.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A remotely steerable catheterization device according to claim 1, wherein said body is a guide catheter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A remotely steerable catheterization device according to claim 1, wherein said body is a catheter having a lumen for effecting a diagnostic or treatment regimen at said tip via said lumen.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A remotely steerable catheterization device according to claim 1, wherein said strain element forms a piezoelectric bender.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A remotely steerable catheterization device according to claim 1, wherein said steering tip includes a lever arm that is displaced by actuating a piezoelectric element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A remotely steerable catheterization device according to claim 1, wherein said strain element includes plural distinct strain actuators placed at axially-separated positions along said steering tip.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A remotely steerable catheterization device according to claim 8, wherein said plural distinct strain actuators include actuators of different sizes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
A remotely steerable catheterization device according to claim 8, wherein said strain element includes piezoelectric elements of a thickness to be fully actuated by a signal that is safe for cardiac applications.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
A remotely steerable catheterization device according to claim 1, wherein said strain element has a stiffness approximating a stiffness of a cardiac catheterization guidewire.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
A remotely steerable catheterization device according to claim 1, wherein said strain element forms a piezoelectric actuator extending over a substantial length of the tip for holding the tip in a stiff curve.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
A remotely steerable catheterization device according to claim 1, further comprising a control handle operatively holding the elongated body for manipulation of the body by said control handle, and including first means for advancing the distal end by pushing said body.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
A remotely steerable catheterization device according to claim 13, wherein said handle includes electrical means for applying electrical signals to said electrical conduction means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
96 words
An insertable catheterization device comprising an elongated body having proximal and distal ends, for advancing within a patient's body when pushed from the proximal end a steering tip at the distal end electrical conduction means extending in said body for conducting electricity from the proximal end, and a piezoceramic strain element means mounted by a shear-free coupling to a flexible shim in said device so as to receive electrical actuation signals via said electrical conduction means and bend the steering tip for physically controlling said device from its proximal end as it moves through branching vessels.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
96 words
An insertable catheterization device comprising an elongated body having proximal and distal ends, for advancing within a patient's body when pushed from the proximal end a steering tip at the distal end electrical conduction means extending in said body for conducting electricity from the proximal end, and a piezoceramic strain element means mounted by a shear-free coupling to a flexible shim in said device so as to receive electrical actuation signals via said electrical conduction means and bend the steering tip for physically controlling said device from its proximal end as it moves through branching vessels.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
An insertable catheterization device according to claim 15, wherein said strain element means includes means distributed along the body for stiffening the body to lodge it securely in position within a vessel.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
An insertable catheterization device according to claim 15, wherein said strain element means includes means distributed at said steering tip for actively bending the tip.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
An insertable catheterization device according to claim 15, wherein said strain element means is a crystal.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
85 words
A device for insertion into the body of a patient, such device comprising an elongated flexible body including a tip piezoceramic strain elements extending along at least a portion of the body and bonded by high shear strength coupling to produce a bending actuator of at least said portion of the body conductive means for delivering a signal to the piezoceramic strain elements, and control means for selectively providing said signal to the conductive means to physically control the portion covered by the strain elements.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
85 words
A device for insertion into the body of a patient, such device comprising an elongated flexible body including a tip piezoceramic strain elements extending along at least a portion of the body and bonded by high shear strength coupling to produce a bending actuator of at least said portion of the body conductive means for delivering a signal to the piezoceramic strain elements, and control means for selectively providing said signal to the conductive means to physically control the portion covered by the strain elements.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
An insertable catheterization device according to claim 15, further comprising an insulating flexible sheath enclosing said piezoceramic strain element means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
An insertable catheterization device according to claim 20, further comprising an exterior protective coil about said sheath.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
An insertable catheterization device according to claim 19, wherein the strain elements are bonded to a metal shim in said portion.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
An insertable catheterization device according to claim 22, wherein the metal shim is a common electrode of said strain elements.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
94 words
A steerable catheterization device comprising a long thin and flexible body including a flexible tip said body including an inextensible element at said tip and a piezoceramic strain element which is actuated by applying a voltage across opposite sides thereof, said strain element extending adjacent the inextensible element to steer the tip when the strain element is actuated, electrical conductors extending along said body for conducting electricity to the strain element, and for selectively providing a voltage to said strain element to actuate the strain element and steer the tip in a desired direction.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
94 words
A steerable catheterization device comprising a long thin and flexible body including a flexible tip said body including an inextensible element at said tip and a piezoceramic strain element which is actuated by applying a voltage across opposite sides thereof, said strain element extending adjacent the inextensible element to steer the tip when the strain element is actuated, electrical conductors extending along said body for conducting electricity to the strain element, and for selectively providing a voltage to said strain element to actuate the strain element and steer the tip in a desired direction.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
29 words
A steerable catheterization device according to claim 24, wherein the strain element is a piezoceramic plate having a thickness to be fully actuated by a potential under thirty volts.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
24 words
A steerable catheterization device according to claim 24, wherein the inextensible element is selected from a set including a shim or a pivot element.
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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) | 1998-05-15 | 1998-11-14 | 1999-05-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-05-15 | 2002-11-14 | 2003-05-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-05-15 | 2006-11-14 | 2007-05-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |