Description of Invention:
The invention provides a deflectable tip guiding device, such as a catheter, that enables the operator to vary the radius of curvature of the tip of the catheter. This is a novel variation on the classic “fixed fulcrum,” tip deflectors used in minimally invasive procedures in open surgical treatments. The described device permits a more comprehensive ability to navigate complex geometric pathways in patient’s body and enables better access to target structures (e.g., to all endomyocardial walls from a transaortic approach). The guiding device can be made compatible with imaging methods like MRI. The described technology can be used as a platform for a variety of interventional devices for delivery of drugs, cells, energy, or sutures through complex trajectories of the body.
Patent Status:
DHHS Reference No. E-035-2003/0 --
U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/426,542 filed 15 Nov 2002
International Patent Application No. PCT/US03/36210 filed 14 Nov 2003
U.S. Patent Application No. 10/534,362 filed 09 May 2005
Licensing Status: In addition to licensing, the technology may be available for further development through collaborative research opportunities with the inventors.
For Additional Information Please Contact: Michael Shmilovich J.D.
NIH Office of Technology Transfer
6011 Executive Blvd, Suite 325
Rockville, MD 20852-3804
Phone: (301) 435-5019
Email: shmilovm@mail.nih.gov
Fax: (301) 402-0220
