Importance

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Abstract

A steerable rotate-to-advance device for accessing a bodily passageway, said steerable rotate-to-advance device comprising:

an inner flexible tube having a distal end and a proximal end, a longitudinal axis extending between said distal end and said proximal end, and a lumen extending from said distal end to said proximal end;an outer flexible tube having a distal end and a proximal end, a longitudinal axis extending between said distal end and said proximal end, and a lumen extending from said distal end to said proximal end;the outer flexible tube being disposed coaxially over the inner flexible tube and being rotatable with respect thereto;an external thread disposed over said distal end of said outer flexible tube, said external thread having a sufficient structural integrity, and a sufficient surface profile, such that when said outer flexible tube is disposed in a bodily passageway, rotation of said outer flexible tube about said longitudinal axis will result in longitudinal motion of said outer flexible tube along said bodily passageway; andat least one articulating cable secured to the distal end of said inner flexible tube at an attachment point, and extending proximally along said inner flexible tube, such that pulling the at least one articulating cable proximally causes the inner flexible tube to be bent toward the radial position of said attachment point, whereby to cause the steerable rotate-to-advance device to be steered in the direction of the attachment point.

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First Claim