Alternate geometry stylet for ventricular shunt catheter placement
AssigneeMedtronic Xomed, Inc.
InventorsWilliam Jeffrey Bertrand, Robert C. Leonard
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A stylet having a non-round cross-sectional shape which is specifically adapted to reduce the adhesion or “stickiness” of contact between the stylet and the interior surface of the lumen of an elastomeric catheter through which it extends. The stylet may be “pre-loaded” into the catheter.
Claims20
In combination:
- a catheter made of an elastomeric material, comprising an elongate body defining within itself a lumen having a circular cross-section;
- and a stylet comprising an elongate stylet body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a non-circular cross-section defining an outer surface of at least three faces for at least a majority of stylet length within the lumen of the catheter.
A method of removing a stylet made of a rigid material from a catheter made of an elastomeric material to define within itself a lumen having a circular cross-section, the stylet comprising an elongate stylet body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a non-circular cross-section defining an outer surface of at least three faces at least for a majority of its length within the lumen of the catheter, the method comprising:
- guiding the catheter loaded with the stylet in the lumen to a desired target;
- and removing the stylet from the catheter.
A method of manufacturing a stylet from a rigid material, comprising providing the stylet with an elongate stylet body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a non-circular cross-section defining an outer surface of at least three faces at least for a portion of its length.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.