Patent ID: 7608056
Filing Date: 2009-10-27
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
1. A steerable catheter assembly comprising: a catheter having an elongated intermediate portion extending between a proximal first end portion and a distal flexible second end portion, a flexible steerable distal tip portion extending distally from the distal second end portion and an expansion resistant distally tapering portion there between, the flexible steerable distal tip having a substantially solid central core section, the first and second end portions defining a central longitudinal axis extending through the core section, the flexible second end portion having a first outer diameter and the flexible steerable distal tip portion having a second outer diameter that is smaller than the first outer diameter; an elongate chamber body having a proximal opening located at or near the catheter first end portion and terminating at an elastically fluid-distensible occluded distal end formed integral within the flexible steerable distal tip portion, the elongate chamber body proximal opening and elongate chamber body distensible occluded distal end defining a longitudinal fluid flow channel that extends longitudinally between and in communication with the elongate chamber body proximal opening and the elongate chamber body occluded distal end, the longitudinal fluid flow channel being configured to transmit fluid to the elastically fluid-distensible occluded distal end of the elongate chamber body, the elastically fluid-distensible occluded distal end being radially offset and substantially parallel to the catheter central longitudinal axis, the elastically fluid-distensible occluded distal end is configured to distend from a neutral position to a lengthened bending position; and a fluid flow actuator operatively coupled at or near the catheter first end portion in communication with the proximal opening of the elongate chamber body, the fluid flow actuator configured to control fluid supply to the elongate chamber body occluded distal end, wherein the central core section is configured to inhibit radial inward expansion of the elastically fluid-distensible occluded distal end when the fluid flow actuator supplies fluid thereto, wherein the elongate chamber body occluded distal end is configured to elastically distend axially under a change in internal fluid pressure without substantially changing the catheter flexible steering tip portion outer diameter and thereby configured to articulate the catheter flexible steering tip portion from a substantially straight relaxed position to a bending position in response to a change of fluid pressure.