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AssigneeSciMed Life Systems, Inc.
InventorsJohn E. Hutchins, Mark L. Adams
Estimating the term…
The present invention relates to methods and devices for performing endoscopic cannulation, papillotomy and sphincterotomy and similar procedures. According to the present state of the art, endoscopic cannulation of the common bile duct and papillotomy and similar procedures are accomplished by advancing the device into an endoscope/duodenoscope so that the distal tip of the device exits the endoscope adjacent the sphincter muscles at the Papilla of Vater. The endoscope mechanisms are then manipulated to orient the distal tip of the device to the desired position for proper cannulation of the duct. Due to inconsistencies in, for example, the sphincterotome, anatomy, and endoscope manipulation, it is difficult to accurately and consistently position the sphincterotome for proper cannulation. The steerable sphincterotome of the present invention allows the physician to control the position of the distal tip of the device independently of the endoscope and adjust for inconsistencies in the device and the anatomy. According to the present invention, the handle to which the cutting wire is attached is freely rotatable relative to the catheter. The handle, secured to the cutting wire but rotatable relative to the shaft of the catheter, provides a mechanism to rotate the wire, transmitting the force to rotate the device tip. With the handle rotating independently of the shaft at the proximal end, the force can be applied directly to the distal tip without twisting the entire shaft. Also a rotation lock to maintain the orientation of the tip and/or a rotation marking, to indicate the amount of rotation may be included.
An apparatus for use in a treatment modality including an enlargement procedure to be performed within a patient, said apparatus including a catheter for being directed through internal passageways in the patient, said catheter having proximal and distal ends, and proximal and distal portions adjacent to said proximal and distal ends respectively, and a first and at least second generally parallel lumens, said lumens extending between said proximal and distal portions, and a cutting wire for performing the enlargement procedure extending through said second lumen for operating at said distal portion in response to manipulations at said proximal end, said cutting wire having a distal end attached to said catheter at the distal end of said second lumen, a portion thereof external to said catheter along a length coextensive with a portion of said distal portion of said catheter and a handle for operating said cutting wire from a point proximal of said catheter, the improvement comprising:
A method of cutting tissue in a body passage comprising selecting a catheter having first lumen configured for receiving a wire guide, a second lumen configured for receiving an electrosurgical cutting wire, positioning said catheter in said passage at a desired position using an endoscope, actuating the electrosurgical cutting wire in the second lumen, the improvement comprising:
A method of cutting tissue in a body passage comprising selecting a catheter having first lumen configured for receiving a wire guide, a second lumen configured for receiving an electrosurgical cutting wire, positioning said catheter in said passage at a desired position using an endoscope, actuating the electrosurgical cutting wire in the second lumen, the improvement comprising:
A method of cutting tissue in a body passage comprising selecting a catheter having first lumen configured for receiving a wire guide, a second lumen configured for receiving a electrosurgical cutting wire, positioning said catheter in said passage at a desired position using an endoscope, actuating the electrosurgical cutting wire in the second lumen, the improvement comprising:
A catheter handle comprising:
A catheter assembly, comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.