Medtronic, Inc.

Raychem Limited

Walter R Pyka

Lee M Middleman

James E Jervis

Philippe Poncet

Michael Buhler

Karl Van Dyk

Reza Zadno

Karl Van Dyke

Hank C Wuh

The invention provides a method of using an apparatus for manipulating matter in a confined or inaccessible space, comprising providing an apparatus having manipulator means at least partly constructed of one or more bent or twisted elongate shape memory alloy members having pseudoelasticity at the intended manipulation temperature, and a hollow housing or cannula capable of holding at least the shape memory alloy member(s) in a relatively straightened state, and actuating means for extending the shape memory alloy member(s) from the housing to manipulate matter within the space and for withdrawing the shape memory alloy member(s) into the housing, the arrangement being such that the shape-memory alloy member(s) bend(s) or twist(s) pseudoelastically in a lateral or helical sense to manipulate the matter on extending from the housing at the manipulation temperature, and become(s) relatively straightened on withdrawal into the housing at the temperature.

Method of manipulating matter in a mammalian body

The present invention is directed to an apparatus for anchoring a tubular element, preferably in the form of a catheter, within a passageway formed in a mammalian body, such as in a vessel, artery, duct, channel, or the like. The apparatus comprises a tubular element having a flexible, elongated, hollow tubular outer lumen with a central longitudinal axis extending therethrough, the outer lumen having a proximal end and a distal end. The apparatus further comprises deployment means positioned within the outer lumen and slidable with respect to the outer lumen. The deployment means has a proximal end and a distal end. The apparatus further comprises a plurality of resilient anchoring members preferably formed of a pseudoelastic material. The anchoring members are coupled to the distal end of the deployment means and extend longitudinally beyond the distal end of the deployment means. Each anchoring member is reversibly movable by the deployment means between a first position and a second position. In the first position, at least a portion of each anchoring member is retracted within the outer lumen of the tubular element. In the second position, at least a portion of each of the anchoring members is deployed exteriorly to the outer lumen of the tubular element, so as to engage an inner wall of the mammalian passageway and anchor the tubular element in a selected position within the passageway.

Device for anchoring tubular element

The present invention accordingly provides a device or apparatus for manipulating matter in a confined or inaccessible space, comprising manipulator means at least partly constructed of one or more bent or twisted elongate shape memory alloy members having pseudoelasticity at the intended manipulation temperature, and a hollow housing (preferably of elongate tubular form) or cannula capable of holding at least the shape memory alloy member(s) in a relatively straightened state, and actuating means for extending the shape memory alloy member(s) from the housing to manipulate matter within the said space and for withdrawing the shape memory alloy member(s) into the housing, the arrangement being such that the shape-memory alloy member(s) bend(s) or twist(s) pseudoelastically in a lateral or helical sense to manipulate the matter on extending from the housing at the said manipulation temperature, and become(s) relatively straightened on withdrawal into the housing at the said temperature. Preferably the invention provides such a device or apparatus which is of elongate form for surgical manipulation of matter within a living body, and which has the manipulator means at its distal end with the shape memory alby member(s) having pseudoelasticity at the temperature to be encountered within that body, and wherein the actuating means is operable from the proximal end of the device.

Device or apparatus for manipulating matter

The present invention provides a device or apparatus for manipulating matter in a confined or inaccessible space, comprising manipulator means at least partly constructed of one or more bent or twisted elongate metallic members having pseudoelasticity at the intended manipulation temperature, and a hollow housing (preferably of elongate tubular form) or cannula capable of holding at least the metallic member(s) in a relatively straightened state, and actuating means for extending the metallic member(s) from the housing to manipulate matter within the said space and for withdrawing the metallic member(s) into the housing, the arrangement being such that the metallic member(s) bend(s) or twist(s) pseudoelastically in a lateral or helical sense to manipulate the matter on extending from the housing at the said manipulation temperature, and become(s) relatively straightened on withdrawal into the housing at the said temperature. Preferably the invention provides such a device or apparatus which is of elongate form for surgical manipulation of matter within a living body, and which has the manipulator means at its distal end with the metallic member(s) having pseudoelasticity at the temperature to be encountered within that body, and wherein the actuating means is operable from the proximal end of the device.

A device or apparatus for manipulating matter in a confined or inaccessible space, comprises a manipulator at least partly constructed of one or more bent or twisted elongate metallic members having pseudoelasticity at the intended manipulation temperature, and a hollow housing (preferably of elongate tubular form) or cannula capable of holding at least the metallic member(s) in a relatively straightened state, and an actuator for extending the metallic member(s) from the housing to manipulate matter within the space and for withdrawing the metallic member(s) into the housing, the arrangement being such that the metallic member(s) bend(s) or twist(s) pseudoelastically in a lateral or helical sense to manipulate the matter on extending from the housing at the manipulation temperature, and become(s) relatively straightened on withdrawal into the housing at the temperature. Preferably the device or apparatus is of elongate form for surgical manipulation of matter within a living body, and has the manipulator at its distal end with the metallic member(s) having pseudoelasticity at the temperature to be encountered within the body, and wherein the actuator is operable from the proximal end of the device.

The present invention accordingly provides a device or apparatus for manipulating matter in a confined or inaccessible space, comprising manipulator means at least partly constructed of one or more bent or twisted elongate shape memory alloy members having pseudoelasticity at the intended manipulation temperature, and a hollow housing (preferably of elongate tubular form) or cannula capable of holding at least the shape memory alloy member(s) in a relatively straightened state, and actuating means for extending the shape memory alloy member(s) from the housing to manipulate matter within the said space and for withdrawing the shape memory alloy member(s) into the housing, the arrangement being such that the shape-memory alloy member(s) bend(s) or twist(s) pseudoelastically in a lateral or helical sense to manipulate the matter on extending from the housing at the said manipulation temperature, and become(s) relatively straightened on withdrawal into the housing at the said temperature. Preferably the invention provides such a device or apparatus which is of elongate form for surgical manipulation of matter within a living body, and which has the manipulator means at its distal end with the shape memory alloy member(s) having pseudoelasticity at the temperature to be encountered within that body, and wherein the actuating means is operable from the proximal end of the device.

The present invention provides a device or apparatus for manipulating matter in a confined or inaccessible space, comprising manipulator means at least partly constructed of one or more bent or twisted elongate shape memory alloy members having pseudoelasticity at the intended manipulation temperature, and a hollow housing (preferably of elongate tubular form) or cannula capable of holding at least the shape memory alloy member(s) in a relatively straightened state, and actuating means for extending the shape memory alloy member(s) from the housing to manipulate matter within the said space and for withdrawing the shape memory alloy member(s) into the housing, the arrangement being such that the shape-memory alloy member(s) bend(s) or twist(s) pseudoelastically in a lateral or helical sense to manipulate the matter on extending from the housing at the said manipulation temperature, and become(s) relatively straightened on withdrawal into the housing at the said temperature.

Device or apparatus for manipulating matter having a elastic ring clip

A device for dissecting, grasping and/or cutting an object has at least two elongate elements at least a portion of at least one of the elements is formed from a pseudoelastic material, preferably a pseudoelastic shape memory alloy. End portions of the elements can be moved away from one another and then toward one another to dissect, grasp and/or cut an object with the elements. In certain embodiments, the device further comprises an actuating means and at least a portion of the elements and/or the actuating means is formed from a pseudoelastic material. The device is particularly useful in dissecting, grasping and/or cutting objects located in difficult to reach areas, for example within the body during surgery.

Device for dissecting, grasping, or cutting an object

A device suitable for insertion into a mammalian body comprises an elongated tube or cannula, an elastic member for bending the cannula, and a straightener preventing the elastic member from bending the cannula. The straightener and elastic member are capable of relative axial movement, so that the elastic straightener can be positioned to prevent or allow the elastic from bending the cannula. Preferably the elastic member is formed from a superelastic shape-memory alloy. Other versions of the device without a straightener are described.

Steerable cannula

A device suitable for insertion into a mammalian body comprises an elongated tube or cannula, an elastic member for bending the cannula, and a straightener preventing the elastic member from bending the cannula. The straightener and elastic member are capable of relative axial movement, so that the straightener can be positioned to prevent or allow the elastic from bending the cannula. Preferably the elastic member is formed from a superelastic shape-memory alloy. Other versions of the device without a straightener are described.

Growing community of inventors

Redwood City, CA, United States of America

Walter R Pyka