Patent ID: 7766909

Claim:
A sphincterotome comprising: an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; a cutting element lumen extending through at least a portion of the elongate shaft; a first side port providing access through a wall of the elongate shaft to the cutting element lumen; a second side port providing access through a wall of the elongate shaft to the cutting element lumen, the second side port located distal of the first side port; a cutting element having a distal end and a proximal end; a first portion of the cutting element disposed within the cutting element lumen proximal of the first side port, and a second portion of the cutting element disposed exterior of the cutting element lumen between the first side port and the second side port such that a segment of the cutting element lumen is vacant of the cutting element, the segment of the cutting element lumen vacant of the cutting element having a length between the first side port and the second side port; and a stiffening member disposed in at least a portion of the length of the segment of the cutting element lumen between the first side port and the second side port, the stiffening member having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the stiffening member terminates at or distal of the first side port.