Articulating laparoscopic device and method for delivery of medical fluid

A medical fluid delivery device comprising:

• a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends thereof, said catheter including an articulating tip adjacent the distal end thereof having a pre-shaped curvature;
• a first rigid tubular member having a first axial bore formed therein, said catheter being at least partially disposed within the first axial bore of said first rigid tubular member;
• a second rigid tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal and distal ends, and a second axial bore formed therein and extending along the longitudinal axis, said first rigid tubular member being at least partially disposed within the second axial bore of said second rigid tubular member;
• and
• an actuator coupled with said first rigid tubular member to selectively move said first rigid tubular member relative to said catheter and said second rigid tubular member to selectively vary a degree of curvature of said articulating tip, wherein said curved articulating tip of said catheter is constrained by said first rigid tubular member from articulating to the pre-shaped curvature when said first rigid tubular member covers said articulating tip, and said pre-shaped articulating tip of said catheter is free to bend to a selected degree of curvature when said articulating tip is at least partially uncovered by said first rigid tubular member, wherein said catheter and said second rigid tubular member are fixed from axial movement relative to one another and said first rigid tubular member is adapted for axial movement relative to both said catheter and said second rigid tubular member.

A laparoscopic device comprising:

• a rigid outer tube having a proximal end, a distal end, a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal and distal ends, and a bore extending between the proximal and distal ends and along the longitudinal axis of said rigid outer tube;
• a rigid inner tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and an inner bore extending between the proximal and distal ends of said rigid inner tube, wherein said rigid inner tube is at least partially disposed within said bore of said rigid outer tube and is adapted to slide along the longitudinal axis of said rigid outer tube;
• a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends thereof, wherein said catheter is at least partially disposed within the inner bore of said rigid inner tube and includes an articulating tip adjacent the distal end thereof having a pre-shaped curvature;
• and
• an actuator coupled with said rigid inner tube for selectively moving said rigid inner tube relative to said catheter and said rigid outer tube, wherein said pre-shaped articulating tip of said catheter is constrained by said rigid inner tube from articulating to the pre-shaped curvature when said rigid inner tube covers said articulating tip, and said pre-shaped articulating tip of said catheter is free to bend to a selected degree of curvature when said articulating tip is at least partially uncovered by said rigid inner tube, wherein said catheter and said rigid outer tube are fixed from axial movement relative to one another and said rigid inner tube is adapted for axial movement relative to both said catheter and said rigid outer tube.