Dynamic curve access tool for complex arch anatomies and radial access

Abstract

An intravascular device comprises an elongated outer catheter body having a proximal catheter end, a distal catheter end, and an inner catheter lumen extending between the proximal catheter end and the distal catheter end. The intravascular device further comprises an elongated inner articulating member slidably disposed within the inner catheter lumen. The inner articulating member has a proximal member end and an articulatable distal member end. The intravascular device further comprises a control assembly mechanically coupled to the proximal catheter end and the proximal member end. The control assembly is configured for distally translating the outer catheter body over the inner articulating member, and for articulating the distal member end.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An intravascular device, comprising:
 an elongated outer catheter body having a proximal catheter end, a distal catheter end, and an inner lumen extending between the proximal catheter end and the distal catheter end;   an elongated inner articulating member slidably disposed within the inner lumen of the outer catheter body, the inner articulating member having a proximal member end and an articulatable distal member end; and   a control assembly mechanically coupled to the proximal catheter end and the proximal member end, the control assembly configured for distally translating the outer catheter body over the inner articulating member, and for articulating the distal member end.   
     
     
         2 . The intravascular device of  claim 1 , wherein the control assembly is configured for articulating the distal member end into a single-curve planar shape. 
     
     
         3 . The intravascular device of  claim 1 , wherein the control assembly is configured for articulating the distal member end into a multi-curve shape. 
     
     
         4 . The intravascular device of  claim 1 , wherein the control assembly is a manually operated control assembly. 
     
     
         5 . The intravascular device of  claim 1 , wherein the control assembly is releasably coupled to the proximal catheter end. 
     
     
         6 . The intravascular device of  claim 1 , wherein the distal catheter end has one or more infusion openings. 
     
     
         7 . The intravascular device of  claim 1 , wherein the distal catheter end includes a distal wire tip. 
     
     
         8 . The intravascular device of  claim 1 , wherein the distal catheter end is configured for being inserted into a branch of an aortic arch of a human. 
     
     
         9 . The intravascular device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one pull wire operably connected between the distal member end and the control assembly, wherein the control assembly is configured for articulating the distal member end by tensioning the at least one pull wire. 
     
     
         10 . An intravascular device, comprising:
 an elongated inner articulating member configured for being slidably disposed within an inner lumen of the outer catheter body having a proximal catheter end, a distal catheter end, and an inner lumen extending between the proximal catheter end and the distal catheter end, the inner articulating member having a proximal member end and an articulatable distal member end; and   a control assembly mechanically coupled to the proximal member end, the control assembly further configured for being releasably coupled to the proximal catheter end, the control assembly further configured for distally translating the outer catheter body over the inner articulating member, and for articulating the distal member end.   
     
     
         11 . The intravascular device of  claim 10 , wherein the control assembly is configured for articulating the distal member end into a single-curve planar shape. 
     
     
         12 . The intravascular device of  claim 10 , wherein the control assembly is configured for articulating the distal member end into a multi-curve shape. 
     
     
         13 . The intravascular device of  claim 10 , wherein the control assembly is a manually operated control assembly. 
     
     
         14 . The intravascular device of  claim 10 , wherein the control assembly is releasably coupled to the proximal catheter end. 
     
     
         15 . The intravascular device of  claim 10 , wherein the distal catheter end is configured for being inserted into a branch of an aortic arch of a human. 
     
     
         16 . The intravascular device of  claim 10 , further comprising at least one pull wire operably connected between the distal member end and the control assembly, wherein the control assembly is configured for articulating the distal member end by tensioning the at least one pull wire.