US 11,786,214 B2
Adjustable flexibility stiffness intraluminal device and associated devices systems and methods
Valerie Sharman, Oceanside, CA (US); and Eve Lambert-Fliszar, San Diego, CA (US)
Assigned to KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
Filed by KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V., Eindhoven (NL)
Filed on Aug. 22, 2018, as Appl. No. 16/108,767.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/548,881, filed on Aug. 22, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2019/0060613 A1, Feb. 28, 2019
Int. Cl. A61B 8/00 (2006.01); A61B 5/00 (2006.01); A61B 1/00 (2006.01); A61M 25/00 (2006.01); A61B 8/12 (2006.01); A61M 25/01 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 8/4466 (2013.01) [A61B 1/00078 (2013.01); A61B 5/6852 (2013.01); A61B 5/6876 (2013.01); A61B 8/12 (2013.01); A61M 25/0054 (2013.01); A61M 25/0032 (2013.01); A61M 25/0141 (2013.01); A61M 2025/0063 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An elongate device for insertion into a body lumen of a patient, the elongate device comprising:
a compressible elongate member comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion;
a pair of filars extending within the compressible elongate member and affixed to the compressible elongate member;
a fixed member;
a biasing member which is spaced from the fixed member and configured to control a compressive pressure applied to the pair of filars;
wherein the filars of the pair of filars are configured to extend through the fixed member and are secured to the biasing member; and
wherein the filars of the pair of filars are configured to adjust a stiffness of the compressible elongate member while the compressible elongate member is disposed within the body lumen of the patient; and
a spring disposed at an end of the compressible elongate member and disposed between the fixed member and the biasing member; and
an imaging element disposed at the distal portion of the compressible elongate member and configured to obtain an intraluminal data associated with the body lumen.