Pre-curved wire guided papillotome having a shape memory tip for controlled bending and orientation

摘要

A papillotome has an elongated sheath and plural longitudinal lumens, a proximal end and a distal end wherein the sheath is sized to be received within an endoscopic lumen. The distal end has a pre-curved shape memory tip for controlling the bending and orientation of the distal end. The pre-curved shape memory tip has a set configuration wherein the tip retains the set curve configuration when the distal end is in a relaxed configuration. A cutting wire having a longitudinal cutting edge is located along the distal end of the sheath which is movable in a cutting plane. The cutting wire is connected to a conductor disposed within one lumen of the sheath. A guidewire is disposed within another lumen of the sheath for guiding the pre-curved shape memory tip within the endoscopic lumen. A third lumen may be provided for delivering or injecting a fluid such as contrast. The package for the papillotome includes curve retention device which retains the pre-curved shape memory tip in the set curve configuration during transit and storage.