US 11,832,879 B2
Systems and methods for energy delivery
Matthew Schaning, Madison, WI (US); Nicholas Katrana, Madison, WI (US); Matthew Thiel, Madison, WI (US); Louis Mingione, Madison, WI (US); Mark Thom, Madison, WI (US); and Richard Schefelker, Madison, WI (US)
Assigned to NeuWave Medical, Inc., Madison, WI (US)
Filed by NeuWave Medical, Inc., Madison, WI (US)
Filed on Mar. 8, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/297,173.
Prior Publication US 2020/0281652 A1, Sep. 10, 2020
Int. Cl. A61B 18/18 (2006.01); A61B 18/00 (2006.01); A61L 29/06 (2006.01); A61L 29/14 (2006.01); A61M 25/01 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 18/1815 (2013.01) [A61L 29/06 (2013.01); A61L 29/14 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00023 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00095 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00273 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00541 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00577 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00714 (2013.01); A61B 2018/1861 (2013.01); A61M 25/0133 (2013.01)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A flexible sheath for use in endoscopic procedures, comprising an elongate tubular body; the elongate tubular body comprising
a) an elongate tubular body proximal end having a proximal end opening and an elongate tubular body distal end having a distal end opening, and an elongate tubular main body region positioned between the elongate tubular body proximal end and the elongate tubular body distal end;
b) an elongate tubular body interior portion and an elongate tubular body exterior portion, wherein the elongate tubular body interior portion extends from the elongate tubular body proximal end to the elongate tubular body distal end, wherein the elongate tubular body exterior portion extends from the elongate tubular body proximal end to the elongate tubular body distal end; and
c) a flexible-rigid region positioned only in the elongate tubular body distal end, wherein the flexible-rigid region is positioned on a most exterior region of the elongate tubular body exterior portion of the elongate tubular body distal end;
wherein the elongate tubular body interior portion comprises a hollow port extending into the proximal end opening, through the elongate tubular body proximal end, through the elongate tubular body distal end, and out the distal end opening, wherein the size of the hollow port is such that it can accommodate the passing of a properly sized tool into the hollow port, through the hollow port, and out the hollow port;
wherein the diameter of the flexible sheath is less than 5 mm;
wherein the flexible-rigid region is configured to selectively alternate between a flexible state and a rigid state;
wherein if the flexible-rigid region is in a rigid state then the elongate tubular body distal end is stabilized in a desired position with respect to a tissue region in contact with the flexible-rigid region; and
wherein if the flexible-rigid region is in a flexible state then the elongate tubular body distal end is not stabilized with respect to a tissue region in contact with the flexible-rigid region.