(19)
(11) EP 1 583 462 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3:
28.07.2005

(43) Date of publication:
12.10.2005 Bulletin 2005/41

(21) Application number: 03760387.5

(22) Date of filing: 13.06.2003
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61B 5/00
(86) International application number:
PCT/US2003/018891
(87) International publication number:
WO 2003/105671 (24.12.2003 Gazette 2003/52)
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR

(30) Priority: 13.06.2002 US 173203
13.06.2002 US 173227
13.06.2002 US 173238
13.06.2002 US 173220
25.10.2002 US 281462
25.10.2002 US 281461
25.10.2002 US 281426

(71) Applicant: USGI Medical, Inc.
San Clemente, CA 92673 (US)

(72) Inventors:
  • EWERS, Richard, C.
    Fullerton, CA 92833 (US)
  • SAADAT, Vahid
    Saratoga, CA 95070 (US)

(74) Representative: Kazi, Ilya et al
Mathys & Squire 120 Holborn
London EC1N 2SQ
London EC1N 2SQ (GB)

   


(54) SHAPE LOCKABLE APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ADVANCING AN INSTRUMENT THROUGH UNSUPPORTED ANATOMY