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

Claim 0:
1. A catheter system comprising:
(a) a body;
(b) a guide member assembly extending distally from the body, wherein the guide member assembly comprising:
(i) a proximal rigid portion defining a longitudinal axis,
(ii) a distal flexible portion defining a plurality of adjustable gaps, 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) an articulation assembly operatively coupled to the distal flexible portion, the articulation assembly being configured to flex the distal flexible portion and the open distal end relative to the longitudinal axis between a straight configuration and an articulated configuration; and
(d) a partial sleeve disposed within a portion of the lumen defined by the distal flexible portion, the partial sleeve comprising a pair of longitudinally extending edges together defining a longitudinally extending gap, the gap being laterally interposed between the longitudinally extending edges; and
(e) a suction source or an irrigation source in fluid communication with the open distal tip of the guide member assembly, wherein the partial sleeve sufficiently covers the adjustable gaps to promote fluid communication between the open distal tip and the suction source or the irrigation source.