Patent ID: 6629987
Filing Date: 2003-10-07
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
A catheter positioning system comprising:an elongate catheter comprising a tubular shaft having proximal and distal ends and at least one open lumen extending therethrough, and a plurality of resilient members configured to be selectively engaged so that the resilient members extend radially outward from the tubular shaft, each having proximal and distal ends, all distal ends joined together and fixed longitudinally relative to the shaft adjacent its distal end and all proximal ends joined together and to the shaft at a position proximal to the distal end such that the resilient members lie parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft when unloaded and such that the resilient members bow radially outward and the distal end of the shaft is rotated through an angular displacement when a compressive load is applied to them; a control mechanism operatively associated with the resilient members and extending to the proximal end of the shaft and configured to be manipulated by a user to actuate the resilient members from a retracted to an extended position.