Patent ID: 8066703
Filing Date: 2011-11-29
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A sphincterotome comprising: an elongate shaft including a distal region and a proximal region; a cutting element lumen extending through at least a portion of the elongate shaft; a micromachined hypotube disposed within the distal region of the elongate shaft, the micromachined hypotube having a proximal region and a distal region; a cutting element disposed within the cutting element lumen having an exposed portion of the cutting element disposed exterior to the micromachined hypotube, the exposed portion of the cutting element extending from a first location proximal to the proximal region of the micromachined hypotube to a second location adjacent the distal region of the micromachined hypotube; wherein the micromachined hypotube is configured to have a greater flexibility in a first bending plane, and a lesser flexibility in a second bending plane orthogonal to the first bending plane; wherein the micromachined hypotube has a first side and an opposing second side, and comprises a first plurality of slots formed along the first side and a second plurality of slots formed along the second side; and wherein the micromachined hypotube is configured such that when bending along the first bending plane, at least some of the plurality of slots along the first side increase in width and at least some of the plurality of slots along the second side decrease in width.