Methods and apparatus for an adjustable stiffness catheter
AssigneeW. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
InventorsEdward H. Cully, Jeffrey B. Duncan, Benjamin M. Trapp
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Abstract
Apparatus and methods for an endovascular catheter that can be inserted within tortuous body anatomies and then selectively stiffened and fixed in place. In a particular embodiment, this stiffness is reversible. The stiffness or a comparable mechanical characteristic of the catheter assembly may be adjusted to a relatively low value during insertion (so that it easily navigates a guide wire or the like), and then subsequently adjusted to a relatively high value in situ to keep the catheter assembly substantially fixed in place (i.e., during delivery of an interventional device).
Claims7
A catheter apparatus comprising:
- a tubular body having a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen defined therein, the tubular body having a first state, wherein the tubular body has a first value of a stiffness metric, and a second state, wherein the tubular body has a second value of the stiffness metric that is greater than the first value;
- and
- a controller operatively coupled to the tubular body to actuate the tubular body between the first state and second state in response to decreasing and increasing, respectively, radial compression of at least a portion of the tubular body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.