Variable stiffness magnetic catheter

Details Variable stiffness magnetic catheter Variable stiffness magnetic catheter

2000-09-08

2003-02-25

Walberg, Teresa (Department: 3742)

Surgery

Means for introducing or removing material from body for...

Treating material introduced into or removed from body...

C600S012000, C600S374000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06524303

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to catheters, and in particular to variable stiffness magnetic catheters.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Magnetic catheters are catheters provided with a magnetic member by which the distal end of the catheter can be navigated (oriented and/or moved) by the application of a magnetic field. There are competing considerations in the construction of these catheters. The distal end must be sufficiently flexible to readily orient in response to the force applied by the magnetic field on the magnetic member while the lumen of the distal end must be sufficiently strong to resist kinking. However, the entire catheter must be sufficiently stiff to enable advancement through the patient's body.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprises a steerable magnetic catheter in which the flexibility varies along its length, and which preferably can be navigated without a guidewire. Generally, the catheter has a proximal end and a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween. The catheter has regions of different flexibility along its length. There is a body, responsive to an applied magnetic field, and/or gradient, adjacent the distal end. The magnetic field and/or gradient may be applied with at least one stationary or at least one moveable magnet.
The body may be a permeable magnetic material, such as cold rolled steel or a permanent magnetic material such as neodymium-iron boron.
The distal end of the catheter is sufficiently flexible and the body is sized such that the catheter can bend at least 45° in response to an applied field of 0.25T or less and more preferably at least 60°, and most preferably 90° within about 5 mm of the magnetic member, which is typically at the distal end of the catheter. This allows navigation in small (less than 5 mm in diameter) vessels. The distal end is more preferably responsive to an applied magnetic field of 0.2T or less, and most preferably to an applied magnetic field of 0.1T or less.
As described above the catheter has at least two, and preferably at least three, regions of different flexibility. Each region is preferably of successively greater flexibility from the proximal end to the distal end.


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