Catheter with separable sections

Abstract

The present invention relates to a catheter comprising a catheter body section (1) and at least one catheter tip section (2). The catheter body section (1) can extend in a longitudinal direction. The at least one catheter tip section (2) may be located on a distal side of the catheter body section (1). In a first operation mode of the catheter usable during insertion thereof, the catheter body section (1) and the at least one catheter tip section (2) can be commonly moved substantially in the longitudinal direction. In a second operation mode of the catheter usable when the catheter has reached a position where it should not be advanced any further, the catheter body section (1) and the at least one catheter tip section (2) may be moved relative to each other, so that the at least one catheter tip section (2) can be separated from the catheter body section (1).

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention generally relates to a catheter comprising a catheter body section and a catheter tip section, the catheter body section and the catheter tip section being separable from each other, and a method of operating the same. Background technique [0002] Minimally invasive procedures are typically performed by inserting a catheter, including, for example, surgical tools, through a small incision into a patient's body cavity or duct. The main challenge with this maneuver is how to determine if the path from the entry point or port at the incision to the target location includes one or more sharp bends or intersections that allow for multiple possible paths (e.g., a Y-junction). reach the target location. The catheter is traditionally guided using a pre-defined shaped guidewire along a path of limited amount and direction of curvature. Also, active catheters and active guidewires have been developed. They employ shape memory alloy actu...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0006] On the other hand, the catheter should preferably be flexible so that the propulsion system can pull the catheter along its tortuous path; if the catheter is too stiff, a lot of force (e.g., suction) is required at the gripping element, which may damage its attached connected organization

[0007] On the other hand, preferably, the catheter should be moderately stiff so that the catheter can be pushed through the access port to insert it near the target site, as normal catheters do; if the catheter is too flexible, the entire distance from the access port to the target site must Covered by an advancing mechanism, which is time consuming and poses an unnecessary risk of tissue damage due to the many steps of grasping and releasing

[0008] Due to the aforementioned conflicting requirements, the performance of the catheter introducer system disclosed in US 6517477 B1 is not optimal

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