Steerable device for accessing a target site and methods
AssigneePneumRx, Inc.
InventorsMark Mathis, David Thompson, Bruce Addis, David F. Yankelevitz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A variety of steerable needles, lancets, trocars, stylets, cannulas and systems are provided for examining, diagnosing, treating, or removing tissue from a patient. The steerable needles, trocars, stylets, cannulas and systems also provide a platform for delivery of target materials, such as therapeutics, biologics, polymers, glues, etc., to a target site. An embodiment of the invention includes a steerable device for use in accessing target site in a patient comprising: a steerable member adapted to penetrate tissue; and a steering mechanism adapted to be operated by a user to apply a bending force to bend the steerable member to access the target site.
Claims26
A steerable-device for use in accessing a target site in a patient comprising:
- a steerable member having a proximal end and a sharp distal end with a longitudinal length therebetween, the steerable member having a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the distal end having a closed sharpened tip adapted to penetrate tissue so as to form a path through the tissue, wherein the steerable member defines an axial trajectory along the direction of the longitudinal length and extending distally from the distal end;
- and
- a steering mechanism axially affixable within the lumen of the steerable member so that the steering mechanism advances with the steerable member along the path and into the tissue when the distal end penetrates the tissue, a distal end of the steering mechanism remaining proximal to the distal end of the steerable member, the steering mechanism adapted to be operated by a user from a proximal end to apply a bending force to bend the steerable member when the steering mechanism is axially affixed in the lumen of the steerable member, the bending force configured to impose curvature in the steerable member between the proximal end and the distal end so as to reorient the path while the user advances the longitudinal length of the steerable member and the steering mechanism distally into the tissue along the path such that subsequent distal tissue penetrating advancement of the axially coupled steerable member and steering mechanism together within the tissue angles the path away from the trajectory suitably to access the target site;
- wherein the steering mechanism is removable from the distally advanced steerable member;
- and
- wherein the steerable member further comprises a port positioned along the longitudinal length of the steerable member and extending between an outer surface of the steerable member and the lumen of the steerable member.
A steerable device for use in accessing a target site in a patient comprising:
- a metal bendable needle having a proximal end and a sharp distal end with a longitudinal lumen therebetween, the distal end adapted to penetrate tissue so as to form a path through the tissue, wherein the needle defines an axial trajectory in the direction of the longitudinal lumen and extending distally from the distal end;
- and
- a steering mechanism comprising a proximal knob and a shaft receivable in and removable from the lumen, engagement between the steering mechanism and the needle axially coupling the steering mechanism relative to the needle so that the steering mechanism advances axially with the needle along the path when the proximal end is pushed distally so that the distal end penetrates tissue, a distal end of the steering mechanism remaining proximal to the distal end of the steerable member, the steering mechanism operationally coupling the knob to the needle when the steering mechanism is disposed therein so that actuation of the knob by a user applies a bending force to bend the needle, the bending force configured to impose curvature in the needle between the proximal end and the distal end so as to reorient the path when the user advances the longitudinal length of the needle distally into the tissue along the path such that subsequent distal tissue penetrating advancement of the axially coupled needle and steering mechanism together within the tissue angles away from the trajectory to access the target site;
- wherein the steering mechanism is removable from the distally advanced bendable needle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.