Anti-buckling mechanisms and methods
AssigneeHansen Medical, Inc.
InventorsGregory J. Stahler, Enrique Romo, Aaron M. Weiss
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Anti-buckling devices for supporting flexible elongated members are described herein. In one variation, an anti-buckling device includes a first coupler for coupling to a first device, a second coupler for coupling to a second device that is configured to position a catheter member, a first set of support members coupled between the first coupler and the second coupler, and a plurality of holders coupled to the support members, the holders configured for supporting the catheter member, wherein the first set of support members form a support frame that can be extended by moving the first and second couplers away from each other, and can be collapsed by moving the first and second couplers towards each other.
Claims43
An anti-buckling device, comprising:
- a first coupler for coupling to a first device;
- a second coupler for coupling to a second device that is configured to position a catheter member;
- a first set of support members coupled between the first coupler and the second coupler;
- and
- a plurality of holders coupled to the support members, the holders configured for supporting the catheter member;
- wherein the first set of support members form a support frame that can be extended by moving the first and second couplers away from each other, and can be collapsed by moving the first and second couplers towards each other.
A support device, comprising:
- a first set of support members arranged in a scissor-like configuration to form a support frame, wherein the support frame has a first end and a second end, and can be extended by moving the first and second ends away from each other, or collapsed by moving the first and second ends towards each other;
- and
- a plurality of holders coupled to the support members, the holders configured for supporting a catheter member;
- wherein the holders are moveable relative to the catheter member supported by the holders, such that the holders are maintained at a substantially same distance from one another regardless of a distance between the first and second ends of the support frame.
An anti-buckling device, comprising:
- a first coupler for coupling to a first device;
- a second coupler for coupling to a second device;
- a first set of support members disposed between the first and second couplers, wherein the first set of support members are arranged in a scissor-like configuration;
- and
- a plurality of holders coupled to the first set of support members, the holders configured for supporting an elongated medical device.
A support system, comprising:
- a first elongated member with a lumen;
- a second elongated member slidably disposed within the lumen of the first elongated member;
- a first anti-buckling device configured to support the first elongated member;
- and
- a second anti-buckling device configured to support the second elongated member.
A support system, comprising:
- a catheter having a first end for insertion into a patient, and a second end for coupling to a first drive assembly;
- and
- a first anti-buckling device configured to laterally support the catheter as the first end of the catheter is being advanced distally by the first drive assembly.
A method, comprising:
- advancing a first flexible elongated member distally relative to a patient;
- and
- laterally supporting at least a part of the first flexible elongated member using a first anti-buckling device to prevent the first flexible elongated member from buckling during the act of advancing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.