Steerable catheter system and method of using same
AssigneeKyphon SARL
InventorsMojan Goshayeshgar, Michael A. Smith
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A steerable catheter system is provided including an elongated shaft having a proximal end, a distal end and an outer surface. The outer surface includes at least one cavity configured to facilitate movement of the distal end relative to the proximal end so as to steer the elongated shaft. A catheter tip is attached to the distal end of the shaft. The catheter tip comprises a curved body having at least one RF cutting edge and at least one non-cutting area recessed from the at least one cutting edge.
Claims20
A catheter system comprising:
- an elongated shaft having a proximal end, a distal end and an outer surface, wherein the outer surface includes at least one cavity configured to facilitate movement of the distal end relative to the proximal end so as to steer the elongated shaft;
- and
- a catheter tip attached to the distal end of the shaft, wherein the catheter tip comprises a curved body having at least one radio frequency (RF) cutting edge and at least one non-cutting area recessed from the at least one RF cutting edge.
A steerable catheter system comprising:
- an elongated shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the outer surface includes at least one cavity configured to facilitate movement of the distal end relative to the proximal end so as to steer the elongated shaft, wherein the inner surface defines a passageway;
- a catheter tip attached to the distal end of the shaft, wherein the catheter tip comprises a curved body having at least one radio frequency (RF) cutting edge and at least one non-cutting area recessed from the at least one cutting edge;
- at least one electrode disposed on the at least one RF cutting edge and configured to emit a cutting radio frequency signal;
- a radio frequency generator operably connected to the catheter tip to provide radio frequency energy to the at least one electrode;
- and
- a vacuum configured for attachment to the proximal end of the shaft so as to provide suction to clear cut tissue from the passageway.
A method of treating a hypertrophied ligamentum flavum in a patient using a catheter device comprising the steps of:
- providing a catheter system comprising:
- an elongated shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, an inner surface and an outer surface, the outer surface including at least one cavity configured to facilitate movement of the distal end relative to the proximal end so as to steer the elongated shaft, the inner surface defining a passageway,
- a catheter tip attached to the distal end of the shaft, wherein the catheter tip comprises a curved body having at least one radio frequency (RF) cutting edge and at least one non-cutting area recessed from the at least one cutting edge,
- at least one electrode disposed on the at least one RF cutting edge and configured to emit a cutting radio frequency signal,
- a radio frequency generator operably connected to the catheter tip to provide radio frequency energy to the at least one electrode, and
- a vacuum attached to the proximal end of the shaft so as to provide suction to clear cut tissue from the passageway,
- steering the shaft through tissue such that the catheter tip is positioned adjacent the hypertrophied ligamentum flavum;
- and
- activating the radio frequency generator to cut tissue.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.