US6827718B2 Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method of and apparatus for positioning and maintaining the position of endoscopic instruments

Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed Inc

•

Filing: 2001-12-06

•

Granted: 2004-12-07

•

Expires: 2021-12-06

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Abstract

Abstract The present invention provides an apparatus for, and a method of, accurate positioning of endoscopic instruments. Accurate positioning of the instruments is accomplished through the inclusion of a steering ability within the device. After the endoscopic instrument is properly positioned the present invention may use rapid exchange technology, soft locks, and mechanical locks to maintain the position of the endoscopic instrument. Rapid exchange technology is used to minimize displacement forces present on the guidewire or catheters. Soft locks and mechanical locks resist movements caused by displacement forces.

Inventors

👤 John E. Hutchins
👤 Mark L. Adams
👤 Mark Mallaby
👤 Scott Swafar
👤 Martin Donofrio
👤 Oscar Carrillo
👤 Tracy Gandolfi
👤 Mike Mangano
👤 Bob Reynolds
👤 Russell F. Durgin

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —

Jurisdiction US

Data Source google_patents

Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 11:15

CPC Classifications

A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1492; A61B17/00; A61B17/32; A61B17/320016; A61B17/3205; A61B17/32056; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/01; A61M25/0105; A61M25/0133; A61M25/0136; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00292; A61B2017/003; A61B17/22; A61B2017/22038; A61B2017/22051; A61B2017/22065; A61B2017/22067; A61B2018/00315; A61B2018/00529; A61B2018/00535; A61B2018/00553; A61B18/1206; A61B2018/1246; A61B2018/1253; A61B2018/1405; A61B2018/1407; A61B2018/144; A61B2018/1475; A61B18/18; A61B18/1815; A61B2018/1861; A61B2218/00; A61B2218/001; A61B2218/002

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 28

Claim 1

Independent Claim 285 words

An apparatus for use in a treatment modality including an enlargement procedure to be performed within a patient, said apparatus including a catheter for being directed through internal passageways in the patient, said catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, a proximal portion adjacent to said proximal end and a distal portion adjacent to said distal end, and a first and at least a second generally parallel lumen, said first and said second lumens extending between said proximal and distal portions, and a cutting wire for performing the enlargement procedure extending through said second lumen for operating at said distal portion in response to manipulations at said proximal end, said cutting wire having a distal end attached to said catheter at the distal end of said second lumen, a portion thereof external to said catheter along a length coextensive with a portion of said distal portion of said catheter and a handle for on crating said cutting wire from a point proximal of said catheter, the improvement comprising: a rotatable coupling attaching said handle to said catheter allowing said handle to rotate relative to said proximal end of said catheter while engaging and rotating a proximal end of said cutting wire whereby said distal portion of said catheter rotates as a result of said rotation of said handle; a locking mechanism for locking an orientation of a distal portion of said cutting wire; and a rotation indicator configured to indicate an amount of rotation of said handle relative to said proximal end of said catheter, said rotation indicator comprising a visual indicator of said amount of rotation, an index marking, and a corresponding scale marking providing an indication of said amount of rotation.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 285 words

Claim 3

Independent Claim 281 words

An apparatus for use in a treatment modality including an enlargement procedure to be performed within a patient, said apparatus including a catheter for being directed through internal passageways in the patient, said catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, a proximal portion adjacent to said proximal end and a distal portion adjacent to said distal end, and a first and at least a second generally parallel lumen, said first and said second lumens extending between said proximal and distal portions, and a cutting wire for performing the enlargement procedure extending through said second lumen for operating at said distal portion in response to manipulations at said proximal end, said cutting wire having a distal end attached to said catheter at the distal end of said second lumen, a portion thereof external to said catheter along a length coextensive with a portion of said distal portion of said catheter and a handle for operating said cutting wire from a point proximal of said catheter, the improvement comprising: a rotatable coupling attaching said handle to said catheter allowing said handle to rotate relative to said proximal end of said catheter while engaging and rotating a proximal end of said cutting wire whereby said distal portion of said catheter rotates as a result of said rotation of said handle; a locking mechanism for locking an orientation of a distal portion of said cutting wire; a rotation indicator configured to indicate an amount of rotation of said handle relative to said proximal end of said catheter, said rotation indicator comprising a device providing an audible indication in response to said rotation of said handle relative to said proximal end of said catheter.

Claim 4

Independent Claim 281 words

An apparatus for use in a treatment modality including an enlargement procedure to be performed within a patient, said apparatus including a catheter for being directed through internal passageways in the patient, said catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, a proximal portion adjacent to said proximal end and a distal portion adjacent to said distal end, and a first and at least a second generally parallel lumen, said first and said second lumens extending between said proximal and distal portions, and a cutting wire for performing the enlargement procedure extending through said second lumen for operating at said distal portion in response to manipulations at said proximal end, said cutting wire having a distal end attached to said catheter at the distal end of said second lumen, a portion thereof external to said catheter along a length coextensive with a portion of said distal portion of said catheter and a handle for operating said cutting wire from a point proximal of said catheter, the improvement comprising: a rotatable coupling attaching said handle to said catheter allowing said handle to rotate relative to said proximal end of said catheter while engaging and rotating a proximal end of said cutting wire whereby said distal portion of said catheter rotates as a result of said rotation of said handle; a locking mechanism for locking an orientation of a distal portion of said cutting wire; a rotation indicator configured to indicate an amount of rotation of said handle relative to said proximal end of said catheter, said rotation indicator comprising a device providing an audible indication in response to said rotation of said handle relative to said proximal end of said catheter.

Claim 5

Independent Claim 255 words

An apparatus for use in a treatment modality including an enlargement procedure to be performed within a patient, said apparatus including a catheter for being directed through internal passageways in the patient, said catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, a proximal portion adjacent to said proximal end and a distal portion adjacent to said distal end, and a first and at least a second generally parallel lumen, said first and said second lumens extending between said proximal and distal portions, and a cutting wire for performing the enlargement procedure extending through said second lumen for operating at said distal portion in response to manipulations at said proximal end, said cutting wire having a distal end attached to said catheter at the distal end of said second lumen, a portion thereof external to said catheter along a length coextensive with a portion of said distal portion of said catheter and a handle for operating said cutting wire from a point proximal of said catheter, the improvement comprising: a rotatable coupling attaching said handle to said catheter allowing said handle to rotate relative to said proximal end of said catheter while engaging and rotating a proximal end of said cutting wire whereby said distal portion of said catheter rotates as a result of said rotation of said handle; and a locking mechanism for locking an orientation of a distal portion of said cutting wire, said locking mechanism including an insert positioned between moving parts of said apparatus to resist movement between said moving parts.

Claim 6

Independent Claim 255 words

An apparatus for use in a treatment modality including an enlargement procedure to be performed within a patient, said apparatus including a catheter for being directed through internal passageways in the patient, said catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, a proximal portion adjacent to said proximal end and a distal portion adjacent to said distal end, and a first and at least a second generally parallel lumen, said first and said second lumens extending between said proximal and distal portions, and a cutting wire for performing the enlargement procedure extending through said second lumen for operating at said distal portion in response to manipulations at said proximal end, said cutting wire having a distal end attached to said catheter at the distal end of said second lumen, a portion thereof external to said catheter along a length coextensive with a portion of said distal portion of said catheter and a handle for operating said cutting wire from a point proximal of said catheter, the improvement comprising: a rotatable coupling attaching said handle to said catheter allowing said handle to rotate relative to said proximal end of said catheter while engaging and rotating a proximal end of said cutting wire whereby said distal portion of said catheter rotates as a result of said rotation of said handle; and a locking mechanism for locking an orientation of a distal portion of said cutting wire, said locking mechanism including an insert positioned between moving parts of said apparatus to resist movement between said moving parts.

Claim 7

Independent Claim 261 words

An apparatus for use in a treatment modality including an enlargement procedure to be performed within a patient, said apparatus including a catheter for being directed through internal passageways in the patient, said catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, a proximal portion adjacent to said proximal end and a distal portion adjacent to said distal end, and a first and at least a second generally parallel lumen, said first and said second lumens extending between said proximal and distal portions, and a cutting wire for performing the enlargement procedure extending through said second lumen for operating at said distal portion in response to manipulations at said proximal end, said cutting wire having a distal end attached to said catheter at the distal end of said second lumen, a portion thereof external to said catheter along a length coextensive with a portion of said distal portion of said catheter and a handle for operating said cutting wire from a point proximal of said catheter, the improvement comprising: a rotatable coupling attaching said handle to said catheter allowing said handle to rotate relative to said proximal end of said catheter while engaging and rotating a proximal end of said cutting wire whereby said distal portion of said catheter rotates as a result of said rotation of said handle; and a locking mechanism for locking an orientation of a distal portion of said cutting wire, said locking mechanism including an insert and further including a guidewire wherein said guidewire passes through said insert and said insert resists movement of said guidewire.

Claim 8

Independent Claim 261 words

An apparatus for use in a treatment modality including an enlargement procedure to be performed within a patient, said apparatus including a catheter for being directed through internal passageways in the patient, said catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, a proximal portion adjacent to said proximal end and a distal portion adjacent to said distal end, and a first and at least a second generally parallel lumen, said first and said second lumens extending between said proximal and distal portions, and a cutting wire for performing the enlargement procedure extending through said second lumen for operating at said distal portion in response to manipulations at said proximal end, said cutting wire having a distal end attached to said catheter at the distal end of said second lumen, a portion thereof external to said catheter along a length coextensive with a portion of said distal portion of said catheter and a handle for operating said cutting wire from a point proximal of said catheter, the improvement comprising: a rotatable coupling attaching said handle to said catheter allowing said handle to rotate relative to said proximal end of said catheter while engaging and rotating a proximal end of said cutting wire whereby said distal portion of said catheter rotates as a result of said rotation of said handle; and a locking mechanism for locking an orientation of a distal portion of said cutting wire, said locking mechanism including an insert and further including a guidewire wherein said guidewire passes through said insert and said insert resists movement of said guidewire.

Claim 9

Independent Claim 267 words

An apparatus for use in a treatment modality including an enlargement procedure to be performed within a patient, said apparatus including a catheter for being directed through internal passageways in the patient, said catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, a proximal portion adjacent to said proximal end and a distal portion adjacent to said distal end, and a first and at least a second generally parallel lumen, said first and said second lumens extending between said proximal and distal portions, and a cutting wire for performing the enlargement procedure extending through said second lumen for operating at said distal portion in response to manipulations at said proximal end, said cutting wire having a distal end attached to said catheter at the distal end of said second lumen, a portion thereof external to said catheter along a length coextensive with a portion of said distal portion of said catheter and a handle for operating said cutting wire from a point proximal of said catheter, the improvement comprising: a rotatable coupling attaching said handle to said catheter allowing said handle to rotate relative to said proximal end of said catheter while engaging and rotating a proximal end of said cutting wire whereby said distal portion of said catheter rotates as a result of said rotation of said handle; a locking mechanism for locking an orientation of a distal portion of said cutting wire; a second locking mechanism which engages said cutting wire to prevent lengthwise movement thereof, said second locking mechanism including evenly spaced detents in said handle body which interact with one or more pawls.

Claim 10

Independent Claim 267 words

An apparatus for use in a treatment modality including an enlargement procedure to be performed within a patient, said apparatus including a catheter for being directed through internal passageways in the patient, said catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, a proximal portion adjacent to said proximal end and a distal portion adjacent to said distal end, and a first and at least a second generally parallel lumen, said first and said second lumens extending between said proximal and distal portions, and a cutting wire for performing the enlargement procedure extending through said second lumen for operating at said distal portion in response to manipulations at said proximal end, said cutting wire having a distal end attached to said catheter at the distal end of said second lumen, a portion thereof external to said catheter along a length coextensive with a portion of said distal portion of said catheter and a handle for operating said cutting wire from a point proximal of said catheter, the improvement comprising: a rotatable coupling attaching said handle to said catheter allowing said handle to rotate relative to said proximal end of said catheter while engaging and rotating a proximal end of said cutting wire whereby said distal portion of said catheter rotates as a result of said rotation of said handle; a locking mechanism for locking an orientation of a distal portion of said cutting wire; a second locking mechanism which engages said cutting wire to prevent lengthwise movement thereof, said second locking mechanism including evenly spaced detents in said handle body which interact with one or more pawls.

Claim 11

Independent Claim 273 words

An apparatus for use in a treatment modality including an enlargement procedure to be performed within a patient, said apparatus including a catheter for being directed through internal passageways in the patient, said catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, a proximal portion adjacent to said proximal end and a distal portion adjacent to said distal end, and a first and at least a second generally parallel lumen, said first and said second lumens extending between said proximal and distal portions, and a cutting wire for performing the enlargement procedure extending through said second lumen for operating at said distal portion in response to manipulations at said proximal end, said cutting wire having a distal end attached to said catheter at the distal end of said second lumen, a portion thereof external to said catheter along a length coextensive with a portion of said distal portion of said catheter and a handle for operating said cutting wire from a point proximal of said catheter, the improvement comprising: a rotatable coupling attaching said handle to said catheter allowing said handle to rotate relative to said proximal end of said catheter while engaging and rotating a proximal end of said cutting wire whereby said distal portion of said catheter rotates as a result of said rotation of said handle; and a locking mechanism for locking an orientation of a distal portion of said cutting wire, said locking mechanism including evenly spaced detents on an active cord insert which interact with one or more detents located in a handle body to resist movement of said active cord insert with respect to said handle body.

Claim 12

Independent Claim 273 words

An apparatus for use in a treatment modality including an enlargement procedure to be performed within a patient, said apparatus including a catheter for being directed through internal passageways in the patient, said catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, a proximal portion adjacent to said proximal end and a distal portion adjacent to said distal end, and a first and at least a second generally parallel lumen, said first and said second lumens extending between said proximal and distal portions, and a cutting wire for performing the enlargement procedure extending through said second lumen for operating at said distal portion in response to manipulations at said proximal end, said cutting wire having a distal end attached to said catheter at the distal end of said second lumen, a portion thereof external to said catheter along a length coextensive with a portion of said distal portion of said catheter and a handle for operating said cutting wire from a point proximal of said catheter, the improvement comprising: a rotatable coupling attaching said handle to said catheter allowing said handle to rotate relative to said proximal end of said catheter while engaging and rotating a proximal end of said cutting wire whereby said distal portion of said catheter rotates as a result of said rotation of said handle; and a locking mechanism for locking an orientation of a distal portion of said cutting wire, said locking mechanism including evenly spaced detents on an active cord insert which interact with one or more detents located in a handle body to resist movement of said active cord insert with respect to said handle body.

Claim 13

Independent Claim 146 words

A method of cutting tissue in a body passage comprising selecting a catheter having a first lumen configured for receiving a wire guide, a second lumen configured for receiving an electrosurgical cutting wire, positioning said catheter in said passage at a desired position using an endoscope, actuating the electrosurgical cutting wire in the second lumen, the improvement comprising: orientating said electrosurgical cutting wire by rotating a handle relative to a proximal end of said catheter; fixing an orientation of said electrosurgical cutting wire; and indicating an amount of rotation of said handle relative to said proximal end of said catheter through the use of a rotation indicator, and wherein said step of indicating an amount of rotation includes a visual indication of said amount of rotation, said visual indication including an index marking and a corresponding scale marking providing an indication of said amount of rotation.

Claim 14

Independent Claim 146 words

Claim 15

Independent Claim 140 words

A method of cutting tissue in a body passage comprising selecting a catheter having a first lumen configured for receiving a wire guide, a second lumen configured for receiving an electrosurgical cutting wire, positioning said catheter in said passage at a desired position using an endoscope, actuating the electrosurgical cutting wire in the second lumen, the improvement comprising: orientating said electrosurgical cutting wire by rotating a handle relative to a proximal end of said catheter; fixing an orientation of said electrosurgical cutting wire; and indicating an amount of rotation of said handle relative to said proximal end of said catheter through the use of a rotation indicator, and said step of indicating an amount of rotation includes an audible indicator provided by a device in response to said rotation of said handle relative to said proximal end of said catheter.

Claim 16

Independent Claim 140 words

A method of cutting tissue in a body passage comprising selecting a catheter having a first lumen configured for receiving a wire guide, a second lumen configured for receiving an electrosurgical cutting wire, positioning said catheter in said passage at a desired position using an endoscope, actuating the electrosurgical cutting wire in the second lumen, the improvement comprising: orientating said electrosurgical cutting wire by rotating a handle relative to a proximal end of said catheter; fixing an orientation of said electrosurgical cutting wire; and indicating an amount of rotation of said handle relative to said proximal end of said catheter through the use of a rotation indicator, and said step of indicating an amount of rotation includes an audible indicator provided by a device in response to said rotation of said handle relative to said proximal end of said catheter.

Claim 17

Independent Claim 103 words

A method of cutting tissue in a body passage comprising selecting a catheter having a first lumen configured for receiving a wire guide, a second lumen configured for receiving an electrosurgical cutting wire, positioning said catheter in said passage at a desired position using an endoscope, actuating the electrosurgical cutting wire in the second lumen, the improvement comprising: orientating said electrosurgical cutting wire by rotating a handle relative to a proximal end of said catheter; and fixing an orientation of said electrosurgical cutting wire using an insert to create friction between moving parts in said catheter which resists movement between said moving parts.

Claim 18

Independent Claim 103 words

A method of cutting tissue in a body passage comprising selecting a catheter having a first lumen configured for receiving a wire guide, a second lumen configured for receiving an electrosurgical cutting wire, positioning said catheter in said passage at a desired position using an endoscope, actuating the electrosurgical cutting wire in the second lumen, the improvement comprising: orientating said electrosurgical cutting wire by rotating a handle relative to a proximal end of said catheter; and fixing an orientation of said electrosurgical cutting wire using an insert to create friction between moving parts in said catheter which resists movement between said moving parts.

Claim 19

Independent Claim 96 words

Claim 20

Independent Claim 96 words

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 123 words

A catheter handle comprising: a rotatable coupling configured to allow free rotation of a proximal end of a catheter; a clamping member configured to engage a proximal end of a device extending through a lumen formed in said catheter whereby rotation of said handle causes rotation of a proximal end of said device in said lumen; a locking mechanism for locking an orientation of a distal end of said cutting device; a rotation indicator configured to indicate an amount of rotation of said handle relative to said proximal end of said catheter, said rotation indicator comprising a visual indicator of said amount of rotation, an index marking, and a corresponding scale marking, and said markings provide an indication of said amount of rotation.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 123 words

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 119 words

A catheter handle comprising: a rotatable coupling configured to allow free rotation of a proximal end of a catheter; a clamping member configured to engage a proximal end of a device extending through a lumen formed in said catheter whereby rotation of said handle causes rotation of a proximal end of said device in said lumen; a locking mechanism for locking an orientation of a distal end of said cutting device; and a rotation indicator configured to indicate an amount of rotation of said handle relative to said proximal end of said catheter, said rotation indicator comprising a device providing an audible indication in response to said rotation of said handle relative to said proximal end of said catheter.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 119 words

A catheter handle comprising: a rotatable coupling configured to allow free rotation of a proximal end of a catheter; a clamping member configured to engage a proximal end of a device extending through a lumen formed in said catheter whereby rotation of said handle causes rotation of a proximal end of said device in said lumen; a locking mechanism for locking an orientation of a distal end of said cutting device; and a rotation indicator configured to indicate an amount of rotation of said handle relative to said proximal end of said catheter, said rotation indicator comprising a device providing an audible indication in response to said rotation of said handle relative to said proximal end of said catheter.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 161 words

In a catheter including a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the improvement comprising: a guidewire lumen carried by the shaft extending from a location proximal the distal end of the shaft to a location proximate the distal end of the shaft; a cutting device extending from said proximal end of said catheter to a distal portion of said catheter, a distal portion of said cutting device exterior from said catheter; first and second openings through the catheter wall into the guidewire lumen for accessing the guidewire lumen from a location exterior to the catheter shaft, said first opening being located proximal the distal end of the shaft, said second opening being located proximal said first opening, and a locking mechanism for locking an orientation of a distal portion of said cutting device, said locking mechanism including an insert positioned between moving carts used to actuate said cutting device and said insert resists movement between said moving parts.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 161 words

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 185 words

In a catheter including a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the improvement comprising: a guidewire lumen carried by the shaft extending from a location proximal the distal end of the shaft to a location proximate the distal end of the shaft; a cutting device extending from said proximal end of said catheter to a distal portion of said catheter, a distal portion of said cutting device exterior from said catheter; first and second openings through the catheter wall into the guidewire lumen for accessing the guidewire lumen from a location exterior to the catheter shaft, said first opening being located proximal the distal end of the shaft, said second opening being located proximal said first opening, and a locking mechanism for locking an orientation of a distal portion of said cutting device, said locking mechanism including detents located in a handle of said catheter and at least one pawl located on an active cord insert, said active cord insert moves with respect to said handle and wherein said detents cooperate with said pawl to resist movement of said active cord insert.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 185 words

In a catheter including a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the improvement comprising: a guidewire lumen carried by the shaft extending from a location proximal the distal end of the shaft to a location proximate the distal end of the shaft; a cutting device extending from said proximal end of said catheter to a distal portion of said catheter, a distal portion of said cutting device exterior from said catheter; first and second openings through the catheter wall into the guidewire lumen for accessing the guidewire lumen from a location exterior to the catheter shaft, said first opening being located proximal the distal end of the shaft, said second opening being located proximal said first opening, and a locking mechanism for locking an orientation of a distal portion of said cutting device, said locking mechanism including detents located in a handle of said catheter and at least one pawl located on an active cord insert, said active cord insert moves with respect to said handle and wherein said detents cooperate with said pawl to resist movement of said active cord insert.

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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)	2007-12-07	2008-06-07	2008-12-07	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2011-12-07	2012-06-07	2012-12-07	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2015-12-07	2016-06-07	2016-12-07	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

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