Patent ID: 8211090

Claim:
A vessel tracking device for use with a pressure source, comprising: an elongate introduction element configured for introduction into a vessel of a human body, said introduction element having a proximal end and a distal end, and said distal end comprising a flexible distal end portion having an elliptical circumference and containing an internal cavity that is closed at said distal end, said interval cavity having an elliptical cross-section in a plane containing said elliptical circumference; a pressure adjuster configured for communication with said pressure source; said introduction element also comprising a connection channel connected to said pressure adjuster at said proximal end of the introduction element, said connection channel being connected with said internal cavity and placing said internal cavity in fluid communication with said pressure source, with said pressure adjuster controlling an internal pressure in said internal cavity; said connection channel being concentrically located within a channel-containing portion of said introduction element, said connection channel having a smaller cross-section than said internal cavity and said channel-containing portion exhibiting substantially no dimensional change when said internal pressure is applied to said internal cavity through said connection channel; and said different cross-sections of said connection channel and said internal cavity causing only a part of said distal end portion in which said internal cavity is located to be deformed as said internal pressure within the internal cavity is adjusted, to produce a change in direction of only said distal end portion controlled by said pressure adjuster.