Patent ID: 11944769
Assignee: ACCLARENT, INC.
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 15:
16. A catheter system comprising:
(a) a body;
(b) a guide member assembly extending distally from the body, the guide member assembly comprising:
(i) a proximal rigid portion defining a longitudinal axis,
(ii) a distal flexible portion configured to flex the distal flexible portion relative to the longitudinal axis between a straight configuration and an articulated configuration, the distal flexible portion defining a plurality of gaps in the straight configuration, and
(iii) an open distal end, the guide member assembly defining a lumen, the lumen being in communication between the body and the open distal end;

(c) a partial sleeve disposed within the distal flexible portion, the partial sleeve defining a C-shape as viewed from a longitudinal end of the partial sleeve, the C-shape defining a longitudinally extending gap, the partial sleeve covering the plurality of gaps in the straight configuration;
(d) an inflatable balloon slidably disposed within the lumen, wherein the partial sleeve is configured and positioned to shield the inflatable balloon from the adjustable gaps defined by the flexible bodies.