# US 9,433,747 B2 · Twist-in spring-skirt-like sphincterotome > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,433,747 B2 - Document ID: US9433747B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/623,260 - Filed: 2012-09-20 - Published: 2013-01-24 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2005-02-03 - Assignees: Inventio AG - Applicants: Inventio LLC - Inventors: Boris Reydel; Ben Reydel - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9433747B2 ## CPC - A61M 25/003: {characterized by features relating to least one lumen located at the distal part of the catheter, e.g. filters, plugs or valves (catheter tips A61M25/0067)} - A61B 17/22031: {Gripping instruments, e.g. forceps, for removing or smashing calculi (A61B17/221 takes precedence)} - A61B 17/221: Gripping devices in the form of loops or baskets {for gripping calculi or similar types of obstructions (surgical snare instruments A61B17/32056)} - A61M 25/007: {Side holes, e.g. their profiles or arrangements; Provisions to keep side holes unblocked} - A61M 25/0074: {Dynamic characteristics of the catheter tip, e.g. openable, closable, expandable or deformable} - A61B 2017/00349: {Needle-like instruments having hook or barb-like gripping means, e.g. for grasping suture or tissue (A61B17/06066 takes precedence)} - A61B 2017/22034: {for gripping the obstruction or the tissue part from inside} - A61B 2017/2212: {having a closed distal end, e.g. a loop} - A61B 2017/306: {holding by means of suction} - A61M 25/0082: {Catheter tip comprising a tool} - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A system and method for gaining access to an internal bodily structure, such as the ampullae. The system includes an elongate catheter having a lumen extending there through. An elongate wire including a distal coil is movably extendable from the distal end of the catheter and is configured to engage the inner surface of the bodily structure. Proximal movement of the elongate wire flattens the inner surface of the bodily structure and aligns the passageway thereof with the longitudinal axis of the catheter. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A medical system for gaining access into a bodily lumen or stricture, the system comprising: an elongate catheter extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end, the distal end having an outer diameter, and a lumen extending through the catheter; and a coiled engagement member comprising an elongate shaft and a coil fixedly attached to a distal end of the elongate shaft, the elongate shaft being movably disposed within the lumen of the catheter, the coil being disposed near the distal end of the catheter, wherein the elongate shaft has sufficient torsional rigidity to transmit rotational motion from a proximal end of the elongate shaft to the coil; wherein the coil comprises a wire that curves outwardly and proximally from the distal end of the elongate shaft to form a plurality of loops circumferentially disposed about the distal end of the elongate shaft and forming a spiral shape around the elongate shaft, the plurality of loops being configured to engage an inner tissue surface of a bodily lumen or stricture; wherein an end of the wire is attached to a proximal-most loop of the plurality of loops, wherein a diameter of an opening defined by the proximal-most loop is wider than the outer diameter of the distal end of the elongate catheter, and wherein the system comprises a first configuration in which the plurality of loops are disposed circumferentially about the distal end of the catheter, and a second configuration in which the plurality of loops are disposed distally of the distal end of the catheter. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The medical system according to claim 1 wherein, in the first configuration, the coil is disposed about the catheter with a proximal end of the coil being spaced proximally from the distal end of the catheter. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The medical system according to claim 1 wherein, in the second configuration, the coil is disposed distally of the catheter with a proximal end of the coil being spaced distally of the distal end of the catheter. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The medical system according to claim 1 wherein the coil comprises a variable radius along a length thereof. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The medical system according to claim 1 wherein the wire of the coil is curvilinear and extends between a first end and a second end, the curvilinear wire having an intermediate portion forming a first loop and a second loop, the first end being integrally connected to the distal end of the elongate shaft, and the second end being affixed to the intermediate portion of the curvilinear wire. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The medical system according to claim 5 wherein the first loop and the second loop are approximately equal in size. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The medical system according to claim 5 wherein the first loop is larger than the second loop. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The medical system according to claim 5 wherein the first loop is smaller than the second loop. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The medical system according to claim 1 wherein the elongate shaft comprises a distal shaft section and an intermediate shaft section, the intermediate shaft section having a lateral flexibility that is greater than that of the distal shaft section. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The medical system according to claim 1 wherein the coil is eccentrically disposed relative to an axis of the elongate shaft. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The medical system according to claim 1 wherein the coil is re-configurable to a collapsed configuration having an outer diameter sufficiently small to pass through the lumen of the catheter. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The medical system according to claim 1 wherein the elongate catheter comprises a plurality of lumens extending therethrough. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The medical system according to claim 1 wherein the elongate catheter comprises a sphincterotome having an electrosurgical cutting wire disposed near the distal end thereof. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A method for gaining access into a bodily lumen or stricture, the method comprising the steps of: providing a system according to claim 1, and advancing the system to a target bodily lumen; engaging the coil of the coiled engagement member with an inner surface of the target bodily lumen; rotating the coil so as to advance the coil in a screw-like manner into a passageway of the target bodily lumen and secure the coil there within; and retracting the coil in a generally proximal direction so as to one of smooth the inner surface of the target bodily lumen and align the passageway of the target bodily lumen with the longitudinal axis of the catheter. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of advancing the elongate catheter into the passageway of the target bodily lumen. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of advancing an elongate shaft guide through the lumen of the elongate catheter and into the passageway of the target bodily lumen. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14 wherein the target bodily lumen comprises an ampullae, the inner surface comprises inter-mural mucosa, and the passageway comprises the sphincter of oddi.