Re-shapeable medical device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9254128-B2
Application number	US-201213455552-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 25, 2012
Priority date	Mar 10, 2003
Publication date	Feb 9, 2016
Grant date	Feb 9, 2016

Abstract

A medical device enables a user to bend it into a shape to suit a specific patient need or to orient efficiently the medical device for use. The medical device includes an elongate member, a mechanism, and an actuator. The mechanism is disposed at the distal portion of the elongate member. The actuator is at least partially disposed within the elongate member and coupled to the mechanism for actuating the mechanism relative to the elongate member. The elongate member is capable of being bent into a shape by the user and of retaining the shape during use. The shape may include multiple bends, in multiple directions, as needed for an application. Thereafter, the elongate member is capable of being bent into a second shape by the user and of maintaining the second shape during use.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A medical device comprising:
a handle;
an elongate member extending from the handle and capable of being bent into a shape by a user along its entire length and having variable stiffness, the elongate member having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the elongate member comprising a first tube; and
an actuator at least partially disposed within the proximal portion of the elongate member and comprising mechanical linkage that extends longitudinally through the elongate member to the distal portion, the actuator comprising a spring, a second tube, and a third tube, each capable of being bent when the elongate member is bent, the second tube disposed adjacent to a distal end of the spring, the third tube at least partially longitudinally extended through each of the spring and the second tube, the third tube spaced apart from an inner surface of the second tube when unbent, the third tube being slideable within the second tube when the second tube is bent.

2. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the distal portion of the elongate member has a greater bendability than the proximal portion of the elongate member.

3. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the elongate body member is capable of retaining the shape during use.

4. The medical device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a needle carrier holding a needle, the needle carrier is mechanically coupled to the actuator for advancing the needle out of an opening defined by the distal portion of the elongate member.

5. The medical device of claim 4 , further comprising:
a needle catch defining at least one opening disposed on the elongate member.

6. The medical device of claim 5 , wherein the needle catch is configured to receive the needle through the at least one opening and retain the needle after the needle carrier is retracted.

7. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the first tube includes a spiral cut.

8. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the elongate member comprises a material selected from the group consisting of metals, alloys, and plastics.

9. The medical device of claim 8 , wherein the metal is selected from nickel, copper, stainless steel, cobalt, vanadium, chromium, iron, and super elastic metallic alloys.

10. The medical device of claim 8 , wherein the plastics are selected from synthetic plastics, polyurethanes, polyester elastomers, and nylons.

11. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein an external surface of the elongate member is at least partially covered with a biocompatible material.

12. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the elongate member is capable of bending in one or more directions.

13. A medical device comprising:
a handle;
an elongate member extending from the handle and capable of being bent into a shape by a user along its entire length and having variable stiffness, the elongate member having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the elongate member comprising a first tube;
an actuator at least partially disposed within the proximal portion of the elongate member and comprising a mechanical linkage that extends longitudinally through the elongate member to the distal portion, the actuator comprising a spring, a second tube, a third tube, and a wireform, each capable of being bent when the elongate member is bent, the second tube disposed adjacent to a distal end of the spring, the third tube at least partially longitudinally extended through each of the spring and the second tube, the third tube spaced apart from an inner surface of the second tube when unbent, the third tube being slideable within the second tube when the second tube is bent, the wireform at least extending longitudinally within the second tube and the third tube and out of a distal end of the second tube;
the wireform mechanically coupled to an extendable needle carrier for advancing the needle carrier out of an opening defined by the distal end of the elongate body, the needle carrier holding a needle.

14. The medical device of claim 13 , wherein the distal portion of the elongate member has a greater bendability than the proximal portion of the elongate member.

15. The medical device of claim 13 , wherein the elongate body member is capable of retaining the shape during use.

16. The medical device of claim 13 , further comprising:
a needle catch defining at least one opening disposed on the elongate member.

17. The medical device of claim 16 , wherein the needle catch is configured to receive the needle through the at least one opening and retain the needle after the needle carrier is retracted.

18. The medical device of claim 13 , wherein the first tube includes a spiral cut.

19. The medical device of claim 13 , wherein the elongate member comprises a material selected from the group consisting of metals, alloys, and plastics.

20. The medical device of claim 19 , wherein the metal is selected from nickel, copper, stainless steel, cobalt, vanadium, chromium, iron, and super elastic metallic alloys.

21. The medical device of claim 19 , wherein the plastics are selected from synthetic plastics, polyurethanes, polyester elastomers, and nylons.

22. The medical device of claim 13 , wherein the elongate member is capable of bending in one or more directions.

Assignees

• Chu Michael S H
• Intoccia Jr Alfred P
• Boston Scient Scimed Inc

Inventors

• Chu Michael S H
• Intoccia Jr Alfred P

Classifications

• A61B2017/00867

  shape memory effect · CPC title

• A61B17/0469 Primary

  Suturing instruments for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery · CPC title

• A61B2017/2927

  the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft · CPC title

• A61B2017/2905

  flexible · CPC title

• A61B2017/00946

  malleable · CPC title