초록 ▼

There is provided a system for opening and temporarily supporting a section of a generally tubular organ. The system includes a dilation catheter which has an integrally connected shape memory catheter tip. The shape memory catheter tip is made of a shape memory alloy. The shape memory catheter tip

There is provided a system for opening and temporarily supporting a section of a generally tubular organ. The system includes a dilation catheter which has an integrally connected shape memory catheter tip. The shape memory catheter tip is made of a shape memory alloy. The shape memory catheter tip assumes a first shape at a first temperature and a second shape at a second temperature. Accordingly, the shape memory catheter tip is inserted into the body of the patient, while being in a narrow shape and expands within the body of the patient.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A system for opening and temporarily supporting a portion of a generally tubular organ, comprising, in combination:a dilation catheter including a shape memory catheter tip which is both (a) integral with said dilation catheter, and (b) incapable of being separated from said dilation catheter dur

1. A system for opening and temporarily supporting a portion of a generally tubular organ, comprising, in combination:a dilation catheter including a shape memory catheter tip which is both (a) integral with said dilation catheter, and (b) incapable of being separated from said dilation catheter during times when the system functions according to its intended purposes, said shape memory catheter tip including a portion thereof which is formed of a shape memory alloy, means for insertion of the dilation catheter including said shape memory catheter tip at a first temperature into the generally tubular organ at a first desired location within said tubular organ, said shape memory catheter tip assuming a first shape at said first temperature, means for causing the temperature of said shape memory catheter tip to increase to a second temperature which is higher than said first temperature, thereby making said shape memory catheter tip to assume a second shape in response to the resulting rise in temperature; and elastic means integral with said shape memory catheter tip, wherein said elastic means has an initial shape, said initial shape is generally similar to said first shape, wherein said elastic means applies force on said shape memory catheter tip so as to deform said shape memory catheter tip toward said first shape.