Abstract: A spiral catheter apparatus for access to, and laser or other treatment within, cavities and organs in the human body, the apparatus comprising a flexible, main catheter shaft defining a central axis of the apparatus, the catheter shaft having a proximal end, a distal end and a first hollow lumen region extending therethrough, the catheter shaft further having a spiral portion adjacent the distal end with a selected curvilinear shape, the curvilinear shape defining an inner arcuate sidewall and an outer arcuate sidewall, the catheter shaft flexible enough to assume a temporarily elongated shape such that the apparatus can be extended through at least a portion of the body in the temporarily elongated shape and will assume the selected curvilinear shape when extended into a body cavity or organ, the selected curvilinear shape serving to securely position the apparatus adjacent a selected surface within the body cavity or organ, at least the spiral portion of the catheter shaft having a plurality of guide holes
Abstract: A bow shaped, integrated wire catheter apparatus and method of use for access to, and laser or other treatment within, cavities and organs in the human body, the apparatus having a curvilinear shape but flexible enough to assume a generally elongated shape such that the apparatus can be extended through the vasculature in the generally elongated shape and can assume the curvilinear shape when extended into a body cavity or organ, the curvilinear shape serving to securely position the apparatus adjacent a selected surface within the body cavity or organ for laser or other treatment with a laser delivery device or other functional device thereon, the apparatus having a central axis, the apparatus comprising a main catheter shaft having a proximal end and an apex seeking and stabilizing distal end, the main catheter shaft having material of construction or other mechanism or means for causing a portion of the catheter shaft to have a bowed shape adjacent its distal end, the main catheter shaft having at least on
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 7, 1997
Date of Patent:
January 5, 1999
Assignee:
Eclipse Surgical Technologies, Inc.
Inventors:
Douglas R. Murphy-Chutorian, Jeffrey Giba, Michael Horzewski