Vascular access system and method of use

• US 10,315,007 B2
• Filed: 07/14/2015
• Issued: 06/11/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stryker European Operations Holdings, LLC (Stryker Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Stryker Corporation, Stryker European Holdings I, LLC (Stryker Corporation)
• Inventors: Chan, Jason, Chan, Huey
• Primary Examiner(s): Mehta, Bhisma
• Assistant Examiner(s): Engel, Matthew A
• Application Number:
  US14/798,901
• Publication Number:
  US 20160015935A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,428 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0183 Rapid exchange or monorail catheters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/09008 having a balloon
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/09183 having tools at the distal tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0105 Steering means as part of the catheter or advancing means; Markers for positioning systems for detection of markers A61B
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/04 in the body, e.g. expansible A61M25/10, A61M16/0488 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/09 Guide wires

Abstract

A vascular access system includes a catheter having an inner lumen in communication with an open distal end; a guidewire at least partially positioned in the catheter lumen and extending out the open distal end thereof, respective proximal and distal stops secured to the guidewire; and a centering device slidably mounted on the guidewire such that the centering device may freely within the catheter lumen relative to the guidewire between the proximal and distal stops, wherein the centering device substantially aligns a longitudinal axis of the catheter with a longitudinal axis of the guidewire proximate the centering device.

Claims

1. A vascular access system, comprising:

a catheter having an inner lumen in communication with an open distal end of the catheter;

an elongate flexible navigational member at least partially positioned in the inner lumen, with a distal end portion of the navigational member extending out the open distal end of the catheter, the navigational member and catheter being movable relative to each other;

a proximal stop secured to the navigational member at a first location;

a distal stop secured to the navigational member at a second location distal of the first location; and

a centering device having a proximal end and a distal end, the centering device slidably mounted on the navigational member between the proximal and distal stops so that the centering device may move freely longitudinally relative to the navigational member between the proximal and distal stops while being retained between the proximal and distal stops such that the proximal stop prevents the proximal end from moving proximally past the proximal stop and the distal stop prevents the distal end of the centering device from moving”

to distinguish from “

the open distal end of the catheter distally past the distal stop,

wherein the centering device is positioned within the inner lumen of the catheter and substantially aligns a longitudinal axis of the catheter with a longitudinal axis of the navigational member proximate the centering device;

wherein the open distal end of the catheter is tapered or otherwise shaped so as to allow travel of the distal stop, but prevent travel of the centering device through the open distal end by direct contact between the centering device and the open distal end of the catheter.

2. A method of accessing a vasculature using the vascular access system of claim 1, comprising:

advancing the navigational member relative to the catheter until the centering device engages the open distal end of the catheter; and

advancing the navigational member and catheter jointly through the vasculature after engagement of the centering device with the open distal end of the catheter.

3. The system of claim 1, the centering device having a proximal portion, distal portion and central lumen through which the navigational member extends, wherein the proximal portion has a cross-section larger than a cross-section of the distal portion.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the respective proximal and distal portions have arcuate, atraumatic shapes.

5. The system of claim 1, the centering device comprising a proximal portion, middle portion, distal portion and central lumen through which the navigational member extends, wherein the middle portion has a cross-section that is larger than respective cross-sections of the proximal and distal portions.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the respective proximal and distal portions have arcuate, atraumatic shapes.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the centering device comprises an olive-like, football-like, prolate spheroid, ellipsoid, conical and/or elongate configuration.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the centering device is made from a biocompatible polymer.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the proximal and distal stops are made from a metal, metal alloy, polymer and/or metal-polymer composite.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the proximal and distal stops are secured to the navigational member by an adhesive or thermal bonding.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the navigational member comprises a guidewire.

12. A method of accessing a vasculature using the vascular access system of claim 1, comprising:

(a) advancing the navigational member relative to the open distal end of the catheter until the centering device is at least partially disposed at an entrance of a target blood vessel; and

(b) advancing the catheter relative to the navigational member until the open distal end of the catheter encloses the centering device.