Patent ID: 6017340
Filing Date: 2000-01-25
Classification: A61B,C08L

Abstract:
A traction-type papillotome for use with an endoscope, comprising:an elongated sheath having a distal tip end consisting solely of a flexible non-metallic material, a portion of said distal tip end having a first length and including a curve set in the material when said distal tip end is relaxed;said sheath having a first lumen extending along at least a part of its length; anda wire of electrically conductive material in said first lumen having one end to be connected to a source of current and a cutting wire section at its other end that extends outwardly of the sheath between a first point on the inner radius of the curve and a second point on the inner radius of the curve of said distal tip end, the distance between said first and second points being less than said first length such that the cutting wire is exposed along only a portion of the curved distal tip end, said curved distal tip end including a curved portion proximal to said cutting wire section, the distal tip end being curved such that the cutting wire automatically orients to the 12 o'clock position when the traction-type papillotome emerges from the endoscope.