Patent ID: 6293282
Filing Date: 2001-09-25
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
A steerable catheter comprising a tube having a wall, a proximal end; a distal end and at least one lumen; wherein said lumen encloses a longitudinally extending controllable stiffening member operably attached to said catheter and containing at least one compartment containing an ER gel; at least one pull wire operably attached to adjacent said distal end of said catheter and extending longitudinally out said proximal end of said catheter; at least one activating electrode and ground electrode suitable for energizing said ER gel and computer control means for energizing select portions of said ER gel and thereby selectively stiffening portions of said catheter, and computer control means for operating said pull wire to form said catheter into a desired shape so that said catheter is operably steerable.