# US 10,478,251 B2 · Steerable and controllable medical laser fibers > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,478,251 B2 - Document ID: US10478251B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/772,025 - Filed: 2013-02-20 - Published: 2014-01-02 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2006-12-19 - Assignees: Srgi Holdings, LLC - Applicants: Samuel H. Shuffler; Mark G. Fontenot - Inventors: Samuel H. Shuffler; Mark G. Fontenot - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10478251B2 ## CPC - A61B 18/24: with a catheter (A61B18/26, A61B18/28 take precedence) - A61M 25/0136: {Handles therefor} - A61M 25/0147: {with movable mechanical means, e.g. pull wires} - A61B 2018/2238: {with means for selectively laterally deflecting the tip of the fibre} - A61M 25/0108: {using radio-opaque or ultrasound markers} - A61M 25/10: Balloon catheters ({A61M25/0125 takes precedence; embolectomy A61B17/22032; retractors A61B17/02;} inflatable balloons for placing stents or stent-grafts A61F2/958 {; stomach balloons for treatment of obesity A61F5/0003; oesophagal tubes A61J15/00}) - A61M 2025/015: {Details of the distal fixation of the movable mechanical means} - Y10T 29/49002: Electrical device making - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A device includes a catheter section comprising a flexible joint region disposed between a distal end and a proximal end. The device includes a laser fiber disposed within the catheter section. The laser fiber emits laser light at a fiber distal end. The device includes a wire comprising a distal end coupled to the catheter section. The wire is configured to move the distal end of the catheter section from a first position to a second position about the flexible joint region. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device comprising: a catheter section comprising a distal end and a proximal end; a flexible joint region located at the distal end and including a lumen formed by tubing that runs through the catheter section, wherein a distal end of the flexible joint region includes a portion of the tubing extending as an extension past a distal end of the flexible region; a laser fiber disposed within the catheter section, wherein the laser fiber emits laser light at a fiber distal end; a wire comprising a distal end coupled to the catheter section, wherein the wire is a push-pull wire configured to be pushed distally and pulled proximally along a longitudinal axis of the wire such that translation of the wire distally or proximally effects flexion of the distal end of the catheter section about the flexible joint region, wherein a distal portion of the wire has a smaller diameter than a proximal portion of the wire. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, comprising a first lumen disposed within the catheter section, wherein the first lumen comprises an open distal end at the proximal end of the catheter section, wherein the wire is configured to be pushed and pulled through the first lumen along a longitudinal axis of the wire. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2, comprising a second lumen disposed within the catheter section adjacent the first lumen, wherein the laser fiber is deployed via the second lumen. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, comprising a guidewire. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The device of claim 4, wherein the guidewire is deployed via the second lumen. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The device of claim 4, comprising a guidewire lumen disposed within the catheter section adjacent the first lumen, wherein the guidewire is deployed via the guidewire lumen. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The device of claim 4, wherein the guidewire has at least one of a variable stiffness along its length and a stepped diameter along its length. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, comprising a radio-opaque band fixed to the catheter section. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The device of claim 8, wherein the distal end of the wire is secured to the radio-opaque band. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, comprising an inflatable member. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The device of claim 10, wherein the flexible joint region is distal of the inflatable member. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The device of claim 10, wherein the flexible joint region is disposed within the inflatable member. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The device of claim 10, wherein the flexible joint region is proximal of the inflatable member. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The device of claim 10, wherein the inflatable member comprises at least one of elastomer, thermoplastic polymer, silicone rubber, latex rubber, natural rubber, butadiene-based co-polymer, EPDM, polyvinyl chloride, complex co-polymer, styrene-ethylene butylene-styrene co-polymer, polyethylene, polypropylene, and Nylon. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the flexible joint region comprises a coil member. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The device of claim 15, wherein the coil member includes a section comprising a pitch that is larger than adjacent coil pitches. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the flexible joint region comprises a braid. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The device of claim 17, wherein the braid comprises a section with a pic that is larger than adjacent pics. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the flexible joint region comprises a polymer that is relatively softer than a polymer of at least one adjacent region of the catheter section. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the flexible joint region comprises a wall thickness that is relatively thinner than a wall thickness of at least one adjacent region of the catheter section. ### Claim 21 A method comprising: forming a catheter section to include a distal end and a proximal end; configuring the catheter section to include a flexible joint region at the distal end, and forming a lumen in the flexible joint region with tubing that runs through the catheter section, wherein a distal end of the flexible joint region includes a portion of the tubing extending as an extension past a distal end of the flexible region; housing a laser fiber within the catheter section, wherein the laser fiber emits laser light at a fiber distal end; housing a wire in the catheter section and coupling a distal end of the wire to the catheter section, wherein a distal portion of the wire has a smaller diameter than a proximal portion of the wire, wherein the wire is a push-pull wire configured to be pushed distally and pulled proximally along a longitudinal axis of the wire such that translation of the wire distally or proximally effects flexion of the distal end of the catheter section about the flexible joint region, wherein a distal portion of the wire has a smaller diameter than a proximal portion of the wire.