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AssigneeStereotaxis, Inc.
InventorsPeter R. Werp, Rogers C. Ritter, Walter M. Blume
Estimating the term…
A catheter and magnet combination adapted for intraparenchymal positioning of the catheter in the body with a magnetic field. The catheter has a proximal and distal ends and a lumen therebetween. A magnet is disposed in the distal end of the lumen so that the distal end of the catheter can be positioned within the body with the aid of an externally applied magnetic field. A tether is attached to the magnet and extends through the lumen and out the proximal end so that the magnet can be removed from the catheter through the lumen once the distal end of the catheter is properly positioned. In one embodiment of the invention, the tether is sufficiently stiff to be able to push the catheter through the tissue. With this embodiment, the magnetic field orients the magnet and thus the tip of the catheter, and some or all of the force for moving the catheter is applied via the tether.
In combination with a catheter having a proximal and distal end and a lumen therebetween, a magnet in the distal end of the lumen so that the distal end of the catheter can be positioned within the body with the aid of an externally applied magnetic field, and a tether attached to the magnet and extending through the lumen and out the proximal end so that the magnet can be removed from the catheter through the lumen once the distal end of the catheter is properly positioned.
A method of positioning the distal end of a catheter within the body, the method comprising:
A method of positioning the distal end of a catheter within the body, the method comprising:
A method of positioning the distal end of a catheter within the body, the method comprising the step of inserting into the body the distal end of a catheter, having a guide wire with a magnet on its distal end in the lumen with the magnet adjacent the distal end, and moving the distal end of the catheter to the desired position within the body by applying a magnetic field to the magnet in the distal end of the catheter to orient the distal end of the catheter in the desired direction of travel, and advancing the catheter in the desired direction by advancing the guide wire.
A method of positioning the distal end of a catheter within the body, the method comprising the step of inserting into the body the distal end of a catheter having a magnet in the lumen adjacent the distal end;
A method of positioning the distal end of a catheter within the body, the method comprising the step of inserting into the body the distal end of a catheter having a magnet in the lumen adjacent the distal end;
A guide wire adapted to be inserted into the lumen of a catheter to position the distal end of the catheter within the body, the guide wire having a proximal end and a distal end, the guide wire being more flexible adjacent the distal end than the proximal end, and a magnet on the distal end so that when the guide wire is in the lumen of a catheter, the magnet is adjacent the distal end of the catheter, the distal portion of the guide wire being sufficiently flexible to allow the magnet to move in response to a magnetic field to orient the distal tip of the catheter, and the proximal portion of the guide wire being sufficiently stiff to allow the guide wire to push the catheter through the body.
A catheter for being magnetically guided as it is advanced through an opening in a patient's body, said catheter comprising a magnetic tip positioned near a distal end of the catheter, and a tether attached to the magnet to permit withdrawal of the magnetic tip after the catheter has been desirably positioned.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.