Patent ID: 9179969
Filing Date: 2015-11-10
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A sphincterotome used to perform a sphincterotomy at a cutting site within a patient, the sphincterotome comprising: an elongate tubular member having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the proximal portion extending and connected to a control handle assembly configured to curl the distal portion in a curling direction by pulling taut a cutting wire; at least two lumens longitudinally extending through the elongate tubular member, one of the at least two lumens having the cutting wire at least partially disposed therein; and a single pair of ribs circumferentially disposed equidistant from each other about an outer surface of the tubular member and longitudinally extending from the proximal portion to the distal portion, wherein the single pair of ribs is circumferentially oriented about the outer surface perpendicular to the curling direction and adapted to curl with the elongate tubular member in the curling direction at the distal portion when the control handle assembly pulls taut the cutting wire, wherein the single pair of ribs in combination with the outer surface forms a cross-sectional profile of the elongate tubular member that comprises a thickened portion extending across an otherwise circular cross-section, wherein the thickened portion has a maximum length that is greater than a diameter of the otherwise circular cross-section, and wherein the cross-sectional profile is uniform over a longitudinal length in which the single pair of ribs longitudinally extends from the proximal portion to the distal portion; wherein the cutting wire comprises a cutting edge disposed outside of the tubular member, the cutting edge longitudinally extending along the distal portion of the tubular member and radially extending outwardly in the curling direction from the outer surface of the tubular member.