Patent ID: 7955315
Filing Date: 2011-06-07
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
1. A medical fluid delivery device, which comprises: a catheter, the catheter having at least one lumen formed axially therethrough for the passage therein of a medical fluid, the catheter further having an articulating tip formed with shape memory properties and having a pre-shaped curvature; an elongated first tubular member, the first tubular member having an axial bore formed therein, the catheter residing at least partially within the axial bore of the first tubular member, the first tubular member being reciprocatingly slidable axially on the catheter to selectively cover and uncover portions of the articulating tip to thereby selectively vary a degree of curvature of the articulating tip, the pre-shaped articulating tip of the catheter being constrained by the first tubular member from articulating to the pre-shaped curvature when the first tubular member covers the articulating tip, the pre-shaped articulating tip of the catheter bending to a selected degree of curvature when the articulating tip is at least partially uncovered by the first tubular member; an actuator operatively coupled to the first tubular member to selectively move the first tubular member reciprocatingly on the catheter; and an elongated second tubular member, the elongated second tubular member having an axial bore formed therein, the first tubular member being at least partially received by the axial bore of the second tubular member and being reciprocatingly slidable therein, wherein each of the first tubular member and the second tubular member is a straight, non-flexible member, and wherein the catheter and the second tubular member are fixed from axial movement relative to one another and the first tubular member is adapted for axial movement relative to both the fixed catheter and the fixed second tubular member.