Alignment of an implantable medical device

• US 10,123,870 B2
• Filed: 07/29/2014
• Issued: 11/13/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: St. Jude Medical Cardiology Division Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories)
• Original Assignee: St. Jude Medical Cardiology Division Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories)
• Inventors: Thomas, Ralph Joseph, Chalekian, Aaron J., Geiger, Gary W., Ness, Peter J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stransky, Katrina
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rwego, Kankindi
• Application Number:
  US14/445,848
• Publication Number:
  US 20150073538A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,568 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3484 Anchoring means, e.g. spreading-out umbrella-like structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2418 Scaffolds therefor, e.g. support stents
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2427 Devices for manipulating or deploying heart valves during implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2433 using balloon catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2436 Deployment by retracting a sheath
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2439 Expansion controlled by filaments
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/962 having an outer sleeve
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/966 with relative longitudinal movement between outer sleeve and prosthesis, e.g. using a push rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0014 using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0025 Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0293 Catheter, guide wire or the like with means for holding, centering, anchoring or frictionally engaging the device within an artificial lumen, e.g. tube
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0147 with movable mechanical means, e.g. pull wires
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/02 Holding devices, e.g. on the body

Abstract

A transcatheter valve delivery system includes a longitudinal member extending between a proximal end and a distal end, and having a compartment adjacent the distal end for holding a medical device in a collapsed condition. An alignment element is connected to the longitudinal member and is movable relative to the longitudinal member between a stowed position and a deployed position. In the deployed position, the alignment element is configured to urge against an anatomical surface to position the longitudinal member at a desired location relative to the anatomical surface.

Claims

1. A transcatheter valve delivery system, comprising:

a longitudinal member having a proximal end and a distal end, the longitudinal member having a compartment at the distal end for holding a medical device in a collapsed condition, the longitudinal member including;

a distal sheath covering the compartment such that the medical device is held in the compartment and is covered by the distal sheath;

a proximal sheath; and

an inner shaft extending through the proximal sheath, the proximal sheath being movable longitudinally relative to the inner shaft; and

at least one alignment element connected to the longitudinal member, the alignment element being movable relative to the longitudinal member between a stowed position and a deployed position, the alignment element including;

a braided tube having a first end and a second end, the first end being operatively secured to the proximal sheath and the second end being operatively secured to the distal sheath such that the braided tube substantially surrounds the inner shaft, whereby a distal movement of the proximal sheath towards the distal sheath is configured to cause a longitudinal collapse of the braided tube such that the braided tube forms a disc-like structure and a proximal movement of the proximal sheath away from the distal sheath is configured to cause a longitudinal expansion of the braided tube, the braided tube being made from a shape memory metal and configured to form the disc-like structure when collapsed longitudinally,

wherein in the deployed position, the alignment element is configured to urge against an anatomical surface to position the longitudinal member at a desired location relative to the anatomical surface.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the braided tube comprises two or more longitudinal segments, each longitudinal segment partially surrounding the inner shaft.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the longitudinal segments are adjacent to one another.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the longitudinal segments are spaced apart from one another.

5. A transcatheter medical device delivery system comprising:

a longitudinal member having a proximal end and a distal end and including an inner shaft and a distal sheath, the longitudinal member being configured to accommodate an implantable medical device in a compartment at the distal end and covered by the distal sheath;

at least one alignment element associated with the longitudinal member proximal to the distal end; and

an activating member associated with the longitudinal member and including a proximal sheath,

wherein the at least one alignment element includes a braided tube having a first end and a second end, the first end being operatively secured to the proximal sheath and the second end being operatively secured to the distal sheath such that a first longitudinal movement of the proximal sheath is configured to cause a radial collapse of the braided tube along the longitudinal member and a second longitudinal movement of the proximal sheath is configured to cause a radial expansion of the braided tube away from the longitudinal member and to cause the expanded braided tube to engage an anatomical surface in order to urge the longitudinal member into a desired position, and

wherein the inner shaft underlying the braided tube maintains a first diameter during the radial collapse and the radial expansion of the braided tube.