Patent ID: 6464682
Filing Date: 2002-10-15
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
A method of enhancing viewing within the epidural space of a patient during an epidural procedure, the method comprising:inserting a distal end portion of a steerable catheter through an opening in a patient and into the epidural space, the steerable catheter having a plurality of lumen formed in an elongate tube portion having a tube diameter, said plurality of lumen including at least a first working lumen and a second working lumen, each of said first and second working lumen having distinct, non-coincident longitudinal axes, each of said first and second working lumen being separated from each other by a portion of the elongate tube, with each of said first and second working lumen being substantially symmetrically positioned along both sides of said tube diameter, a handle connected to the elongate tube portion, at least one access port connected to the handle and in fluid communication with the elongate tube portion to provide access to the plurality of lumen, and a steering controller connected to the handle and associated with the elongate tube to steeringly control movement of at least the distal end of the elongate tube portion; passing a fluid through said first working lumen of the steerable catheter; distending a portion of the epidural space of the patient by filling the portion of the epidural space with the fluid supplied from the steerable catheter to thereby create a fluid cavity within the epidural space; inserting a fiber optic scope through the second working lumen of the same steerable catheter when the distal end portion of the same steerable catheter is positioned in the epidural space; viewing the fluid cavity by use of the inserted fiber optic scope; and steering the steerable catheter to a structure within the epidural space for further viewing.