Access catheter and method for maintaining separation between a falloposcope and a tubal wall
Granted: March 6, 2001
Patent Number:
6196966
A method and apparatus are provided for imaging a narrow body lumen, the method comprising maintaining separation between a distal end of an optical viewing scope and a lumen wall with a spacing structure which extends distally from the distal end of an access catheter. Optional spacing structures include distal cages and a guidewire which is fixed to and extends distally from the access catheter body. The invention is beneficial during either retrograde imaging of the fallopian tube,…
Contraceptive transcervical fallopian tube occlusion devices and their delivery
Granted: January 23, 2001
Patent Number:
6176240
The invention provides intrafallopian devices and non-surgical methods for their placement to prevent conception. The efficacy of the device is enhanced by forming the structure at least in part from copper or a copper alloy. The device is anchored within the fallopian tube by imposing a secondary shape on a resilient structure, the secondary shape having a larger cross-section than the fallopian tube. The resilient structure is restrained in a straight configuration and transcervically…
Electrically affixed transcervical fallopian tube occlusion devices
Granted: November 14, 2000
Patent Number:
6145505
The invention provides intrafallopian devices and non-surgical methods for their placement to prevent conception. The efficacy of the device is enhanced by forming the structure at least in part from copper or a copper alloy. The device is anchored within the fallopian tube by imposing a secondary shape on a resilient structure, the secondary shape having a larger cross-section than the fallopian tube. The resilient structure is restrained in a straight configuration and transcervically…
Method and apparatus for performing hysterosalpingography
Granted: June 27, 2000
Patent Number:
6080129
A uterine access catheter system comprises an inner catheter and a catheter sleeve slidably disposed over the inner catheter. Initial access to the uterus is accomplished by positioning the inner catheter through the cervix with the sleeve remaining outside of the cervix. After inflating a balloon near the distal end of the inner catheter, contrast media can be injected and hysterosalpingography performed. Should the initial hysterosalpingography be unsuccessful, direct access to the…
Electrosurgical instrument
Granted: June 27, 2000
Patent Number:
6080152
An electrosurgical instrument includes an electrode assembly having an electrode mechanically interlocked with a non-conductive body to as to form a gap therebetween. In one embodiment, complimentary surface features of the respective electrode and the non-conductive body interlock the components of the electrode assembly. In another embodiment, the electrode assembly includes a generally spherical electrode that is rotatable with respect to a non-conductive hood. A gap is formed between…
Selectively coated electrosurgical instrument
Granted: June 6, 2000
Patent Number:
6071283
An electrosurgical instrument having an active electrode with a portion that is coated with an insulative material. An exposed portion of the electrode is effective to treat tissue while the insulative coating minimizes energy dissipation into surrounding isotonic solution.
Radiation-transmitting sheath and methods for its use
Granted: September 7, 1999
Patent Number:
5947958
A radiation transmitting sheath comprises a tubular body having a radiation guide extending axially therein. A coupler for attaching a radiation source is provided at the proximal end of the sheath. A dispersive tip for dispersing radiation from the radiation guide over a conical field is provided at the distal end of the sheath. Such sheaths are useful for providing illumination and endoscopic viewing methods and for providing sensitizing radiation in photodynamic therapy of body…
Access catheter and method for maintaining separation between a falloposcope and a tubal wall
Granted: August 10, 1999
Patent Number:
5935056
A method and apparatus are provided for imaging a narrow body lumen, the method comprising maintaining separation between a distal end of an optical viewing scope and a lumen wall with a spacing structure which extends distally from the distal end of an access catheter. Optional spacing structures include distal cages and a guidewire which is fixed to and extends distally from the access catheter body. The invention is particularly beneficial during retrograde imaging of the fallopian…
Apparatus and method for accessing and manipulating the uterus
Granted: August 10, 1999
Patent Number:
5935098
A uterine access catheter system comprises an inner catheter and a sleeve catheter slidably disposed over the inner catheter. The inner catheter is a balloon catheter having an elastomeric balloon near its distal end and suitable for performing hysterosalpingography procedures. The sleeve catheter includes an occluding member near its distal end, and the inner catheter and outer catheter may be used together to seal against and engage the cervix of a patient undergoing…
Access catheter and method for maintaining separation between a falloposcope and a tubal wall
Granted: February 23, 1999
Patent Number:
5873815
A method and apparatus are provided for imaging a narrow body lumen, the method comprising maintaining separation between a distal end of an optical viewing scope and a lumen wall with a spacing structure which extends distally from the distal end of an access catheter. Optional spacing structures include distal cages and a guidewire which is fixed to and extends distally from the access catheter body. The invention is beneficial during either retrograde imaging of the fallopian tube,…
Transcervical ostium access device and method
Granted: September 15, 1998
Patent Number:
5807239
The present invention provides methods, apparatus, and systems for accessing and imaging a patients body lumen, particularly a fallopian tube through an ostium, in a minimally or non-invasive manner. The present invention provides simplified ostium access apparatus and procedures which help to avoid the high cost and large size of known systems having redundant optical scopes for use in the uterine and tubal environments. By separating and independently optimizing the illumination optics…
Endoluminal coil delivery system having a mechanical release mechanism
Granted: May 5, 1998
Patent Number:
5746769
The invention provides endoluminal coil delivery systems and methods for positioning a coil within a body lumen. In particular, the device uses a mechanical latch in the form of jaws to positively engage the coil during positioning. The coil may be restrained in a straight configuration from within the coil, using an internal coilwire, or from outside using a catheter. Thus, the mechanism for releasing the coil to form its relaxed convoluted shape is separate from the mechanism for…
Method for maintaining separation between a falloposcope and a tubal wall
Granted: February 10, 1998
Patent Number:
5716321
A method and apparatus are provided for imaging a narrow body lumen, the method comprising maintaining separation between a distal end of an optical viewing scope and a lumen wall with a spacing structure which extends distally from the distal end of an access catheter. Optional spacing structures include distal cages and a guidewire which is fixed to and extends distally from the access catheter body. The invention is particularly beneficial during retrograde imaging of the fallopian…
Protective sheath for a fiberoptic image guide within an articulated endoscope
Granted: January 6, 1998
Patent Number:
5704899
An improved endoscope prevents abrasion of a fiberoptic image guide with a braid reinforced sheath. Abrasion of fiberoptic image guides within articulating endoscopes quickly wear through a conventional fiberoptic mantle, decreasing the useful life of the endoscope. Preferably, the sheath comprises a metal braid disposed within a polyimide, which effectively protects the image guide from abrasion against the endoscope components and substantially extends useful life.
Endoluminal coil delivery system having a mechanical release mechanism
Granted: February 11, 1997
Patent Number:
5601600
The invention provides endoluminal coil delivery systems and methods for positioning a coil within a body lumen. In particular, the device uses a mechanical latch in the form of jaws to positively engage the coil during positioning. The coil may be restrained in a straight configuration from within the coil, using an internal coilwire, or from outside using a catheter. Thus, the mechanism for releasing the coil to form its relaxed convoluted shape is separate from the mechanism for…
Guidewire-type device axially moveable by torque or axial force and methods for use thereof
Granted: September 3, 1996
Patent Number:
5551443
The present invention sets forth a guidewire-type device which can be axially moved via application of axial force and/or by application of torquing force. The device is used for accessing regions within a body. The device is used to attach to subject material within a body, and, if desired, to remove the subject material. In particular, the device and method of the invention are advantageously utilized by health care practitioners for use in accessing tortuous and difficult body areas,…
Mechanism for manipulating the distal end of a biomedical device
Granted: February 21, 1995
Patent Number:
5391146
A mechanism for manipulating the distal end of an elongate medical device, wherein steering is accomplished by a single wire which extends from the proximal to the distal end of the device, the wire being anchored at an eccentric location relative to the central axis of the device containing said steering mechanism. Advantageously, a device comprising the steering mechanism also comprises at least one through lumen extending substantially from the proximal to the distal end of the device…
Incontinence appliance
Granted: July 11, 1989
Patent Number:
4846818
A device for alleviating problems associated with urinary incontinence in female patients that has an external, magnetically retained, elastically expandable receptacle which includes a rim that can be formed to fit between the labia of a female circumscribing the urthra outlet with a rear portion inserted in the vagina using magnetically attractable elements implanted at the foward portion of the labia. The set of implanted elments mate with a set of elements mounted on the receptacle…
