Bipolar sphincterotome

Abstract

A bipolar sphincterotome may include an elongate tubular member, a cutting wire, and a return path. The return path may include a conductive ink portion disposed on an outer surface at a distal portion of the tubular member. The return path may also include a return wire disposed within the tubular member that is electrically coupled to the conductive ink portion. In some example embodiments, the return wire may be disposed within a lumen configured to have two or more functions, one of which being to house the return wire. Additionally, in some example embodiments, the conductive ink portion may be circumferentially disposed on the outer surface to provide visual access to a wire guide lumen. Also, for some example embodiments, the bipolar sphincterotome may include two electrically isolated return paths.

1 . A bipolar sphincterotome to perform a sphincterotomy at a treatment site within a patient, the bipolar sphincterotome comprising:
 an elongate tubular member;   a cutting wire disposed within the tubular member, except for a cutting edge of the cutting wire, where the cutting edge protrudes from the tubular member;   a first return path; and   a second return path substantially electrically isolated from the first return path,   wherein the first return path comprises a first return wire, the second return path comprises a second return wire, the first and second return wires longitudinally extending within the tubular member from a distal portion to a proximal portion of the tubular member.   
     
     
         2 . The bipolar sphincterotome of  claim 1 , wherein the first return path further comprises a first conductive ink portion electrically coupled to the first return wire, and
 wherein the second return path further comprises a second conductive ink portion electrically coupled to the second return wire.   
     
     
         3 . The bipolar sphincterotome of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a first conductive cannula disposed about the outer surface of the tubular member, the first conductive cannula electrically coupling the first conductive ink portion to the first return wire; and   a second conductive cannula disposed about the outer surface of the tubular member, the second conductive cannula electrically coupling the second conductive ink portion to the second return wire,   wherein the first conductive cannula and the second conductive cannula are disposed at opposing ends of the first and second conductive ink portions.   
     
     
         4 . The bipolar sphincterotome of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a first skive in the tubular member extending from the outer surface to a location within the tubular member that is in communication with a distal end of the first return wire, wherein the first conductive ink portion extends within the first skive to be electrically coupled with the first return wire;   a second skive in the tubular member extending from the outer surface to a location within the tubular member that is in communication with a distal end of the second return wire, wherein the second conductive ink portion extends within the second skive to be electrically coupled with the second return wire,   wherein the first skive and the second skive are disposed at opposing ends of the first and second conductive ink portions.   
     
     
         5 . The bipolar sphincterotome of  claim 2 , wherein a gap separating the first conductive ink portion from the second conductive ink portion substantially electrically isolates the first conductive ink portion from the second conductive ink portion. 
     
     
         6 . The bipolar sphincterotome of  claim 5 , wherein the gap longitudinally extends in a substantially straight pattern. 
     
     
         7 . The bipolar sphincterotome of  claim 5 , wherein the gap longitudinally extends in a non-straight pattern. 
     
     
         8 . The bipolar sphincterotome of  claim 5 , wherein the gap longitudinally extends in a zig-zag pattern. 
     
     
         9 . The bipolar sphincterotome of  claim 5 , wherein the gap longitudinally extends in a sinusoidal pattern. 
     
     
         10 . The bipolar sphincterotome of  claim 1 , wherein the first return wire longitudinally extends within a first lumen of the tubular member, and wherein the second return wire longitudinally extends within a second lumen of the tubular member. 
     
     
         11 . The bipolar sphincterotome of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the first lumen or the second lumen has two or more functions, one of the two or more functions being to house the first return wire or the second return wire. 
     
     
         12 . The bipolar sphincterotome of  claim 1 , wherein the first return wire longitudinally extends with a first lumen of the tubular member, and wherein the second return wire is longitudinally embedded as an integral part of the tubular member. 
     
     
         13 . The bipolar sphincterotome of  claim 1 , wherein the first return wire and the second return wire are each embedded as an integral part of the tubular member.