VARIABLE STIFFNESS INTRALUMINAL DEVICE

1 . An intraluminal device, comprising:

a flexible elongate body comprising a distal portion configured to be positioned within a body lumen of a patient;

a functional device disposed at the distal portion of the flexible elongate body, the functional device configured to obtain physiological data or perform a treatment within the body lumen; and

a stiffening member moveably disposed within and along a longitudinal length of the flexible elongate body without extending beyond a distal end of the flexible elongate body, the stiffening member being moveable during an intraluminal procedure to selectively vary a stiffness of the intraluminal device.

2 . The intraluminal device of claim 1 , wherein the stiffening member comprises a flexible shaft.

3 . The intraluminal device of claim 2 , wherein the flexible shaft is more flexible than the flexible elongate body.

4 . The intraluminal device of claim 2 , wherein the flexible shaft is less flexible than the flexible elongate body.

5 . The intraluminal device of claim 1 , further comprising a hub coupled to the stiffening member such that actuation of the hub controls proximal and distal movement of the stiffening member.

6 . The intraluminal device of claim 1 , wherein the flexible elongate body comprises a sidewall comprising an aperture, wherein the aperture is configured to pass the stiffening member.

7 . The intraluminal device of claim 1 , wherein the stiffening member comprises a braid, and wherein the braid comprises a proximal end coupled to a proximal portion of the flexible elongate body and a distal end coupled to the distal portion of the flexible elongate body.

8 . The intraluminal device of claim 1 , wherein the stiffening member comprises a braid, and wherein the braid comprises an electroactive polymer such that a stiffness of the braid varies with voltage applied across the braid.

9 . The intraluminal device of claim 1 , further comprising an indicator representative of a current stiffness of the intraluminal device.

10 . The intraluminal device of claim 9 , wherein the indicator is located on the stiffening member.

11 . The intraluminal device of claim 1 , wherein the functional device comprises at least one of a diagnostic tool or a therapeutic tool.

12 . The intraluminal device of claim 1 , wherein the functional device comprises at least one of a blood pressure sensor, an ultrasound transducer, a morcellation device, or an ablation device.

13 . The intraluminal device of claim 1 , wherein the flexible elongate member comprises a catheter or guidewire configured to be positioned within a blood vessel of the patient.

14 . A method, comprising:

inserting a distal portion of a flexible elongate body of an intraluminal device into a body lumen of a patient;

selectively translating a stiffening member proximally or distally within the flexible elongate body to vary a stiffness of the intraluminal device during a medical procedure, the stiffening member moveably disposed within and along a longitudinal length of the flexible elongate body without extending beyond a distal end of the flexible elongate body;

moving the intraluminal device through different segments of the body lumen based on the varying stiffness of the intraluminal device; and

obtaining physiological data or performing a treatment within the body lumen using a functional device disposed at the distal portion of the flexible elongate body.

15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein selectively translating the stiffening member comprises adjusting a voltage applied across the stiffening member.

16 . The method of claim 14 , wherein selectively translating the stiffening member comprises adjusting the position of a hub coupled to the stiffening member such that a position of the hub corresponds to a location of the stiffening member within the flexible elongate body.

17 . An intraluminal device, comprising:

a flexible elongate body comprising a distal portion configured to be positioned within a body lumen of a patient;

a functional device disposed at the distal portion of the flexible elongate body, the functional device configured to obtain physiological data or perform a treatment within the body lumen; and

a reservoir disposed within the flexible elongate body such that filling or emptying the reservoir selectively varies the stiffness of the intraluminal device during a medical procedure to traverse different segments of the body lumen.

18 . The intraluminal device of claim 17 , wherein the reservoir comprises a hydraulic reservoir.

19 . The intraluminal device of claim 17 , wherein the reservoir comprises a pneumatic reservoir.

20 . The intraluminal device of claim 17 , further comprising an indicator representative of a current fluid level within the reservoir.