Patent ID: 6592581
Filing Date: 2003-07-15
Classification: A61B,A61M,A61N

Abstract:
A catheter comprising:a sheath having a distal-end region with a distal tip; a tip component mounted to the distal tip of the sheath; a wire disposed within the sheath and attached to the tip component, the wire having a distal-end region having a preformed shape with a radius of curvature, the wire formed of a shape-retentive and resilient material such that the wire distal-end region changes shape upon the application of force and upon the removal of force, returns to the preformed shape, the wire disposed in the sheath such that the wire distal-end region is located in the sheath distal-end and causes the sheath to assume the preformed shape; an outer sleeve having a distal-end region having a distal end, the sleeve surrounding the sheath and positioned relative thereto for movement between a retracted position and any of a plurality of advanced positions during which a portion of the sleeve distal-end region is coincident with a portion of the wire distal-end region, the sleeve formed of a material having a stiffness sufficient to change the shape of the wire distal-end region; and a tendon housed within the sheath and attached to the tip component such that axial displacement of the tendon alters the radius of curvature of the portion of the wire distal-end region extending distal the distal end of the outer sleeve.