Patent ID: 8126570
Filing Date: 2012-02-28
Classification: A61M,A61N

Abstract:
1. A guide catheter having proximal and distal ends, comprising: an outer guide having an open lumen and a longitudinal pre-stress line extending between a distal end and a proximal end of the outer guide, at least the distal end of the outer guide dimensioned for passage into a patient's coronary sinus and having either varying stiffness or a pre-formed bend at a deflection location; an inner guide having an open lumen and a compliancy greater than that of the outer guide, the inner guide movably displaceable within the open lumen of the outer guide such that the inner guide can rotate axially and translate longitudinally relative to the outer guide, at least a distal end of the inner guide having a pre-formed curve and dimensioned for passage into the patient's coronary sinus; a guide handle comprising a steering mechanism and having a distal end connected to the proximal end of the outer guide, the guide handle separable into at least two sections such that guide handle separation splits the outer guide along the longitudinal pre-stress line at the proximal end of the outer guide, the outer guide further splitting along the longitudinal pre-stress line upon outer guide retraction in a proximal direction relative to the inner guide; a steering tendon anchored at a distal tip of the outer guide, extending along the outer guide, and coupled to the steering mechanism; and a guide tip defined by a distal tip of the inner guide when extended beyond the distal tip of the outer guide, the guide tip modifiable in terms of tip angle, tip shape, and tip length in response to changes in steering tendon tension and relative axial and longitudinal movement between the distal end of the inner guide and the distal end of the outer guide having the varying stiffness.