Shape lockable apparatus and method for advancing an instrument through unsupported anatomy

48 Pages·2013·2.45 MB·English

US 20030233057A1
(19) United States
(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. N0.: US 2003/0233057 A1
Saadat et al. (43) Pub. Date: Dec. 18, 2003
(54) SHAPE LOCKABLE APPARATUS AND Publication Classi?cation
METHOD FOR ADVANCING AN
INSTRUMENT THROUGH UNSUPPORTED (51) rm.c1.7 ..................................................... .. A61B 5/00
ANATOMY (52) Us. 01. ............................................................ .. 600/585
(76) Inventors: Vahid Saadat, Saratoga, CA (US);
(57) ABSTRACT
Richard C. EWers, Fullerton, CA (US)
Apparatus and methods are provided for placing and
Correspondence Address:
advancing a diagnostic or therapeutic instrument in a holloW
FISH & NEAVE
body organ of a tortuous or unsupported anatomy, compris
1251 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS
ing a handle, an overtube disposed Within a hydrophilic
50TH FLOOR
sheath, and a distal region having an atraumatic tip. The
NEW YORK, NY 10020-1105 (US)
overtube may be removable from the handle, and have a
(21) Appl. No.: 10/281,426 longitudinal axis disposed at an angle relative to the handle.
The sheath may be disposable to permit reuse of the over
(22) Filed: Oct. 25, 2002 tube. Fail-safe tensioning mechanisms may be provided to
selectively stiffen the overtube to reduce distension of the
Related US. Application Data organ caused by advancement of the diagnostic or therapeu
tic instrument. The fail-safe tensioning mechanisms reduce
(63) Continuation-in-part of application No the risk of recon?guration of the overtube in the event that
. 10/173,203,
?led on Jun. 13, 2002. the tension system fails, and, in one embodiment, rigidiZes
Continuation-in-part of application No the overtube Without substantial proximal movement of the
. 10/173,227,
?led on Jun. 13, 2002. distal region. The distal region permits passive steering of
Continuation-in-part of application No the overtube caused by de?ection of the diagnostic or
. 10/173,23s,
?led on Jun. 13, 2002. therapeutic instrument, While the atraumatic tip prevents the
Continuation-in-part of application No Wall of the organ from becoming caught or pinched during
. 10/173,220,
?led on Jun. 13, 2002. manipulation of the diagnostic or therapeutic instrument.
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