Catheter with protective sleeve
AssigneeSciMed Life Systems, Inc.
InventorsLex P. Jansen, Stanley W. Olson JR., Robert M. Abrams
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A device for accessing the spinal canal of a patient includes an introducer and a protective sleeve that is attached at one end thereof to a proximal end of the introducer. The protective sleeve has an outer stationary portion and an inner moveable portion. The outer and inner portions of the protective sleeve are separated by a crown region. A catheter is disposed inside the protective sleeve. During operation, the protective sleeve is advanced within the spinal canal to form a protective barrier between the catheter and the spinal cord. The catheter is advanced and retracted within the protective sleeve.
Claims21
A device for accessing the spinal canal comprising:
- an introducer having proximal and distal ends;
- a protective sleeve having one end thereof being attached to the distal end of the introducer, the sleeve having an outer stationary portion and an inner moveable portion;
- and
- a catheter disposed within the protective sleeve adjacent to the moveable portion.
A device for accessing the spinal canal comprising:
- an introducer having proximal and distal ends;
- a protective sleeve having one end thereof being attached to the distal end of the introducer, the protective sleeve projecting distally so as to form a moveable crown region at the distal end thereof;
- and
- a catheter disposed within the protective sleeve.
A method of traversing the spinal canal with a catheter comprising the steps of:
- deploying a protective sleeve within a portion of the spinal canal;
- advancing a catheter within the protective sleeve through the portion of the spinal canal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.