Patent ID: 9226753
Filing Date: 2016-01-05
CPC Classification: A61B

Claim Text:
1. A medical instrument comprising: a first magnet assembly; a steerable elongate element having a magnetic portion permanently affixed at a distal end thereof; a pushing catheter defining a lumen slidably receiving the steerable elongate element such that a distal end of the steerable elongate element can be withdrawn entirely into the lumen; and a second magnet assembly separate from and moveable relative to the pushing catheter, the second magnet assembly defining an aperture extending therethrough that is sized to receive the steerable elongate element such that the second magnet is positioned on the outer periphery of the steerable elongate element and the magnetic portion of the steerable elongate element may pass distally through and beyond the second magnet assembly for engaging the first magnet assembly and moving it relative to the second magnet assembly, wherein the aperture is sized smaller than an outer diameter of the pushing catheter and greater than or equal to an outer diameter of the magnetic portion of the steerable elongate element such that relative translation of the pushing catheter distally over the steerable elongate element causes the second magnet assembly to move distally over the steerable elongate element for engagement with the first magnet assembly.