Steerable and flexibly curved probes

摘要

Steerable and flexibly curved probes are provided, primarily for surgical applications. A probe with flexible distal portion is inserted through an incision or cannula and the flexible distal portion may be selectively bent or steered using a guide wire. The guide wire is extended through the probe on a radially offset axis, and affixed at its distal end to the distal end of the flexible distal portion. The curvature of the nitinol wire is induced by extending or retracting the wire from the proximal end of the flexible distal portion while the distal end of the guide wire remains affixed to the distal end of the probe. The guide wire is activated by a finger-actuated mechanism. A further embodiment is provided in which the guide wire is fixed at both ends of the flexible distal portion of the probe and has a normally curved conformation, and assumes such conformation after insertion through a straight cannula. Other embodiments and applications are similarly disclosed.

主权项

1. A steerable probe comprising:
(a) a resilient tubular member adapted to access an intraocular surface, the tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen therethrough; (b) an elongated guide member having a proximal end and an opposing distal end, the elongated guide member disposed through said lumen of said tubular member, wherein the elongated guide member is affixed to a distal section of said lumen, and (c) a handle coupled to said tubular member, said handle comprising an actuator operatively engaged to said guide member, wherein said actuator is adapted to move said guide member between a generally straight conformation and a conformation having a radius of curvature along a length of said guide member.