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US 10,426,921 B2Granted
Adjustable stiffness catheter
AssigneeBoston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
InventorsDaniel J. Gregorich, Soo-Young Yoon, Michael P. Meyer, Liza J. Davis
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Medical devices such as catheters can include structure or provision that permit a physician or other health care professional to adjust the stiffness of at least a portion of the medical device. In some instances, the medical device may be adjusted prior to inserting the medical device into a patient. In some cases, the medical device may be adjusted while in use within the patient.
Claims3
An adjustable stiffness catheter comprising:
- an inner elongate shaft having a distal end, a proximal end, a first outer surface, and a first outer diameter;
- an intermediate elongated shaft having a distal end, a proximal end, a first lumen defining a first inner surface, a first inner diameter, and a second outer surface defining a second outer diameter,
- wherein the first inner diameter is greater than the first outer diameter;
- and
- an outer elongated shaft having a distal end, a proximal end, a second lumen defining a second inner surface and a second inner diameter,
- wherein the second inner diameter is greater than the second outer diameter,
- wherein the inner elongate shaft is at least partially received within the first lumen and is longitudinally moveable relative to the intermediate elongated shaft,
- wherein the intermediate elongated shaft is at least partially received within the second lumen and is longitudinally moveable relative to the outer elongated shaft;
- wherein the inner elongate shaft is positioned relative to the intermediate elongated shaft in a first arrangement;
- wherein shifting the inner elongate shaft relative to the intermediate elongated shaft positions the inner elongate shaft relative to the intermediate elongated shaft in a second arrangement different from the first arrangement;
- wherein the adjustable stiffness catheter has a first stiffness in the first arrangement;
- and wherein the adjustable stiffness catheter has second stiffness in the second arrangement, the second stiffness being different from the first stiffness;
- wherein shifting the inner elongate shaft relative to the intermediate elongated shaft includes rotating the inner elongate shaft;
- wherein rotating the inner elongate shaft radially expands the inner elongate shaft.
11 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.