U.S. patent application number 16/884173 was filed with the patent office on 2020-09-10 for steering tool.
This patent application is currently assigned to Bendit Technologies Ltd.. The applicant listed for this patent is Bendit Technologies Ltd.. Invention is credited to Oz Cabiri.
Application Number | 20200282181 16/884173 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004856904 |
Filed Date | 2020-09-10 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200282181 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cabiri; Oz |
September 10, 2020 |
STEERING TOOL
Abstract
A steering tool includes an internal tube disposed inside an
external tube. The internal and external tubes are arranged for
longitudinal axial movement relative to one another. A distal end
of the internal tube is fixedly joined to a distal end of the
external tube. At least one of the internal and external tubes is
slotted near the distal end thereof, and the longitudinal axial
movement causes bending of the distal ends of the tubes.
Inventors: |
Cabiri; Oz; (Hod HaSharon,
IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Bendit Technologies Ltd. |
Petach Tikva |
|
IL |
|
|
Assignee: |
Bendit Technologies Ltd.
Petach Tikva
IL
|
Family ID: |
1000004856904 |
Appl. No.: |
16/884173 |
Filed: |
May 27, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
14044886 |
Oct 3, 2013 |
|
|
|
16884173 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M 25/06 20130101;
A61M 25/0141 20130101; A61M 25/09 20130101; A61B 2017/00305
20130101; A61B 17/00234 20130101; A61M 25/0102 20130101; A61B
2017/00309 20130101; A61M 25/0136 20130101; A61M 25/0138
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61M 25/01 20060101
A61M025/01; A61M 25/06 20060101 A61M025/06; A61B 17/00 20060101
A61B017/00 |
Claims
1. A steering tool comprising: an internal tube disposed inside an
external tube, said internal and external tubes being arranged for
longitudinal axial movement relative to one another, wherein a
distal end of said internal tube is fixedly joined to a distal end
of said external tube, and at least one of said internal and
external tubes is formed with transverse slots near the distal end
thereof, and wherein the longitudinal axial movement causes bending
of the distal ends of said tubes; and wherein shapes of said slots
change as a parameter of distance from the distal ends of said
internal and external tubes.
2. The steering tool according to claim 1, wherein said internal
and external tubes are each formed with one or more alignment holes
for correct axial and rotational alignment of said internal and
external tubes during joining and assembly.
3. The steering tool according to claim 2, further comprising an
alignment pin inserted in said one or more alignment holes.
4. The steering tool according to claim 1, further comprising an
open-ended axial slot formed in at least one of said internal and
external tubes.
5. The steering tool according to claim 4, wherein said axial slot
is open to a most distal slot of the transverse slots.
6. The steering tool according to claim 1, wherein said transverse
slots decrease in length and width with increased distance from the
distal ends of said internal and external tubes.
7. The steering tool according to claim 6, wherein said transverse
slots decrease in length and width asymptotically to a minimum
size.
8. The steering tool according to claim 1, wherein said steering
tool is covered with a semi-rigid or flexible sheath.
9. The steering tool according to claim 1, wherein both of said
internal and external tubes are slotted near the distal ends
thereof.
10. The steering tool according to claim 1, wherein a proximal end
of said external tube is affixed or locked in an external tube
holder at a distal end of a handle and said internal tube extends
through said handle, a proximal portion of said internal tube being
held by a proximal internal tube holder, and wherein said handle
comprises a tube manipulator operative to cause relative axial
movement of said internal and external tubes.
11. The steering tool according to claim 10, wherein said tube
manipulator is arranged to abut against or be connected to a
movable portion of said handle, said movable portion being
connected to or abutting against said external tube holder, and
wherein distal movement of said tube manipulator causes said
movable portion to move distally and cause said internal tube to
move distally to cause bending of distal tips of said internal and
said external tubes.
12. The steering tool according to claim 10, wherein said tube
manipulator is arranged to abut proximally against a stationary
portion of said handle and to be removably received in a proximal
stop formed in said handle.
13. A method comprising using the steering tool of claim 1 as a
catheter or needle for fluid delivery.
14. A method comprising using the steering tool of claim 1 as a
catheter to guide a camera, an electrical energy device, an
illumination device, a fiber optic device or a laser device to a
treatment site.
15. A method comprising using the steering tool of claim 1 as a
push or pull wire.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of and claims priority
from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/044,886, filed 3 Oct.
2013.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention generally relates to a steering tool
for steering medical devices through body lumens.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] PCT Patent Application PCT/US2013/040691, to the present
inventor, describes a steering tool for steering medical devices
through body lumens. The steering tool has an internal tube
disposed inside an external tube. The internal and external tubes
are arranged for longitudinal axial movement relative to one
another. The distal end of the internal tube is fixedly joined to
the distal end of the external tube. One or both of the internal
and external tubes is slotted near the distal end thereof. The
longitudinal axial movement causes bending of the distal ends of
the tubes. One or both of the internal and external tubes are
slotted near the distal ends thereof. The steering tool provides a
distal tip which combines steerability, flexibility and
torqueability. The tool eliminates the need for pull/push
wires.
[0004] Some of the advantages of that steering tool include reduced
cross section, circular cross section in each direction for uniform
stability of bending in different directions (towards two or more
sides), very thin wall thickness, and applicability to very small
tubes (e.g., diameters of 0.2-3 mm). The steering tool also works
well with larger tubes. The steering tool simplifies production and
reduces the number of parts for any steerable endoscope in medical
and industrial fields.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention seeks to provide further improvements
to the steering tool for steering medical devices through body
lumens, as is described more in detail hereinbelow.
[0006] There is thus provided in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention a steering tool including an internal tube
disposed inside an external tube, the internal and external tubes
being arranged for longitudinal axial movement relative to one
another, wherein a distal end of the internal tube is fixedly
joined to a distal end of the external tube, and at least one of
the internal and external tubes is slotted near the distal end
thereof, and wherein the longitudinal axial movement causes bending
of the distal ends of the tubes.
[0007] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
both of the internal and external tubes are slotted near the distal
ends thereof.
[0008] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
shapes of the slots change as a parameter of distance from the
distal ends of the internal and external tubes.
[0009] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
the internal and external tubes are each formed with one or more
alignment holes for correct axial and rotational alignment of the
internal and external tubes during joining and assembly.
[0010] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention an
alignment pin is inserted in the one or more alignment holes.
[0011] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention an
open-ended axial slot is formed in at least one of the internal and
external tubes. The axial slot may be open to the most distal slot
of the transverse slots.
[0012] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
the transverse slots decrease in length and width with increased
distance from the distal ends of the internal and external
tubes.
[0013] The slots limit the amount of possible tube bending to avoid
damage to the tubes. For example, the outer slots protect while
pushing and the internal slots protect while pulling the internal
tube.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The present invention will be understood and appreciated
more fully from the following detailed description taken in
conjunction with the drawings in which:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a simplified illustration of a steering tool, in
accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention,
showing one of the tubes of the steering tool in a spread-out
view;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a simplified illustration of the steering tool, in
accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention,
showing internal and external tubes which are slotted;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a simplified illustration of the steering tool,
showing an alignment pin for proper alignment of the tubes during
assembly;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a simplified illustration of the steering tool
with the internal part being a hollow tube with no slots or a
conduit for fluid or wires for energy delivery or optic fiber to
transfer optic data or laser; and
[0019] FIGS. 5A and 5B are simplified pictorial and cutaway
illustrations, respectively, of a steering tool with a manipulation
handle, constructed and operative in accordance with a non-limiting
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0020] Reference is now made to FIGS. 2 and 3, which illustrate a
steering tool 10, in accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of
the present invention.
[0021] Steering tool 10 includes an internal tube 12 disposed
inside an external tube 14. A distal end 12D of internal tube 12 is
fixedly joined to a distal end 14D of external tube 14. The term
"joined" encompasses any method for attaching the materials of the
tubes together, such as but not limited to, welding, ultrasonic
welding, thermal bonding, adhesive bonding, molding, and others.
The internal and external tubes 12 and 14 are arranged for
longitudinal axial movement relative to one another (except for
their distal ends which are joined together).
[0022] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,
internal tube 12 and external tube 14 are each formed with one or
more alignment holes 13 for correct alignment (including axial and
rotational alignment about the longitudinal axis) of the tubes
during joining and assembly. An alignment pin 15 (FIG. 3) may be
inserted in alignment holes 13 to hold the tubes in the proper
alignment during joining. The alignment holes 13 may be off-center
and/or of two different diameters to ensure that the tubes are not
accidentally aligned incorrectly.
[0023] The outer diameter of internal tube 12 is smaller than the
inner diameter of external tube 14 so they can easily slide
relative to each other. This difference in diameter may pose a
problem during welding or other types of joining. In accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention, in order to achieve
good joining (e.g., welding or bonding) between the tubes despite
the difference in diameters, an open-ended axial slot 17 is formed
in internal tube 12 and/or external tube 14. Slot 17 provides a
path for welding, soldering or adhesive material to flow and join
the tubes together.
[0024] Internal and external tubes 12 and 14 may be made of any
suitably flexible, medically safe material, such as but not limited
to, stainless steel (e.g., AISI 316), nitinol, cobalt-chromium
alloy, nickel-titanium alloy, and others, glass fibers, plastics
(e.g., nylon, polypropylene, and many others) or combinations
thereof. As will be described further below, the tubes can be used
for applications involving light guides, lasers, optic or
electrical transfer and other uses, in addition to the mechanical
function of bending.
[0025] At least one of the internal and external tubes 12 and 14 is
slotted with slots 16 near the distal end thereof (e.g., transverse
to the longitudinal axis of the tubes; the term transverse
encompassing any angle--not just perpendicular--which is not
parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubes). In the preferred
embodiment both tubes are slotted, but alternatively only one of
the internal and external tubes is slotted and the other may be
flexible but not slotted. The longitudinal axial movement causes
bending of the distal ends of the tubes (on account of them being
joined together), as is known from PCT/US2013/040691. One of the
internal and external tubes can be longer than the other (e.g., the
internal one is longer for grasping its proximal end for pushing
and pulling thereof).
[0026] Slots 16 increase the flexibility toward the distal end of
the tube or tubes for steerability of the device and controlled
manipulation thereof. The amount of flexibility can be controlled
by the number of slots, spacing therebetween, shape of the slot,
angle subtended by the slot, thickness of the tube, material of the
tube, and other factors. Slots 16 may subtend an arc of about
180-270.degree..
[0027] For example, as seen in FIG. 1, the shapes of slots 16
change as a parameter of distance from the distal end. In the
illustrated example, the slots decrease in length and width (e.g.,
asymptotically to a minimum size) with increased distance from the
distal end. In this manner, the bending radius remains basically
constant at any distance from the distal end and the bending moment
increases with increased distance from the distal end. Axial slot
17 may be open to the most distal slot 16.
[0028] The steering tool 10 may be covered with a semi-rigid or
flexible sheath 18 (shown partially in broken lines in FIG. 2) and
used as a catheter or needle. In a more preferred embodiment, shown
in FIG. 4, the internal tube 12 is a simple tube or wire with no
slots. In the case of a hollow tube, the internal tube 12 can serve
as the conduit for delivery of fluids, light, laser, optic,
cameras, illumination, electrical energy transfer (e.g., wired
connections), and others, in addition to the mechanical function of
bending, Thus, the device can be used to deliver fluids to places
in a body with high accuracy, such as but not limited to, direct
injection of drugs into the brain. For example, tool 10 may be used
as a needle to protrude through or into a blood vessel and inject
substances directly into the brain, tumor or infected area. The
steering tool 10 may be used as a catheter to direct and deliver
cooled gas to freeze tumors or other areas. The steering tool 10
may be used as a catheter to guide fiber optic or laser devices for
illumination, treatment, ablation or drying or other uses. In
another embodiment, the fiber optic can be part of the mechanical
steering system, serving as a pull wire inside the internal or
external tube. In this manner, a controlled fiber optic with a
diameter of 0.3 mm becomes feasible.
[0029] In any of the embodiments, the distal edge shape of the
internal tube, external tube and/or overall tool may be not only
circular, but also shaped as an electrode, needle or other
shapes.
[0030] Reference is now made to FIGS. 5A and 5B, which illustrate a
steering tool with a manipulation handle 20, constructed and
operative in accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the
present invention.
[0031] In this steering tool, the proximal end 19 of the external
tube 14 is affixed or locked in an external tube holder 22 at the
distal end of the handle 20. The internal tube 12 is disposed in
external tube 14 as described above. The internal tube 12 extends
through the length of handle 20, and a proximal portion 23 of
internal tube 12 may be held by a proximal internal tube holder 24.
The internal tube holder 24 may include a septum 26 which may be
used to seal passage of the internal tube 12 therethrough. The
handle 20 may be provided with a proximal fluid connector 28.
[0032] The handle 20 is provided with a tube manipulator 30, such
as a linear slider, for causing relative axial movement of the
internal and external tubes. For example, the tube manipulator 30
may abut against or be connected to a movable portion 32 of handle
20, which is connected to or abuts against the external tube holder
22. By moving tube manipulator 30 distally, the movable portion 32
also moves distally and causes the internal tube 12 to move
distally as well, thereby causing bending of the distal tip of the
internal and external tubes, as described above. The tube
manipulator 30 may abut proximally against a stationary portion of
the handle 20 and/or may "click" into a groove formed in the
handle, which serves as a proximal stop and locks the tube
manipulator 30 in place. The tube manipulator 30 may be released
when desired from the locked position and relocked in place. Thus,
the steering tool can be used very easily as a guide wire for
guiding catheters and other devices.
* * * * *