US 12,295,598 B2
Devices and methods for treating a stricture along the biliary and/or pancreatic tract
Peter L. Dayton, Brookline, MA (US); Raymond D. Gessler, III, Roberts, WI (US); Srinadh Komanduri, Downers Grove, IL (US); Jason Matteson, Beldenville, WI (US); and Mark P. Olson, New Brighton, MN (US)
Assigned to BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC., Maple Grove, MN (US)
Filed by BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC., Maple Grove, MN (US); and NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY, Evanston, IL (US)
Filed on Jan. 10, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/409,323.
Application 18/409,323 is a continuation of application No. 17/393,814, filed on Aug. 4, 2021, abandoned.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/061,509, filed on Aug. 5, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2024/0138860 A1, May 2, 2024
Int. Cl. A61B 17/22 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 17/22 (2013.01) [A61B 2017/22038 (2013.01); A61B 2017/22042 (2013.01); A61B 2017/22094 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for navigating around a stricture along a biliary and/or pancreatic tract, the method comprising:
advancing a guidewire system toward a stricture along the biliary and/or pancreatic tract, the guidewire system comprising:
a guidewire having a distal end and defining a lumen, and
a stiffening rod slidably disposed within the lumen, the stiffening rod having a distal end and a distal end region disposed adjacent to the distal end;
shifting the stiffening rod from a first position where the distal end of the stiffening rod is disposed proximally of the distal end of the guidewire to a second position where the distal end of the stiffening rod is disposed distally of the distal end of the guidewire; and
advancing the guidewire system beyond the stricture by navigating around the stricture without penetrating through the stricture.