Injection catheter with needle stop

• US 20030195470A1
• Filed: 05/02/2003
• Published: 10/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Biosense Webster Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Biosense Webster Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Ponzi, Dean M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,806,872 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/164.07
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1492 having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation A61B18/1477 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/24 with a catheter A61B18/26, A61B18/28 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0089 Single injection needle protruding axially, i.e. along the longitudinal axis of the catheter, from the distal tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0091 the single injection needle being fixed
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/015 Details of the distal fixation of the movable mechanical means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0069 Tip not integral with tube
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0084 being one or more injection needles
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0147 with movable mechanical means, e.g. pull wires

Abstract

An injection catheter is provided. The catheter comprises a catheter body comprising a flexible tubing having proximal and distal ends and at least one needle passage extending therethrough. The needle passage has a proximal region having a proximal diameter and a distal region having a distal diameter less than the proximal diameter. A needle control handle is provided at the proximal end of the catheter body. An injection needle extends through the catheter body and needle control handle and has a proximal end within the needle control handle and a distal end within the needle passage. The injection needle is longitudinally slidable within the catheter body so that its distal end can extend beyond the distal end of the catheter body. A needle stop is mounted on a portion of the injection needle that is positioned within the proximal region of the needle passage. The needle stop has a distal end that is sized to prevent passage of the portion of the injection needle on which the needle stop is mounted from passing into the distal region of the needle passage. The needle stop limits the distance that the injection needle can be extended beyond the distal end of the catheter body.

Claims

1. An injection catheter comprising:

a catheter body comprising a flexible tubing having proximal and distal ends and at least one needle passage extending therethrough, wherein the needle passage has a proximal region having a proximal diameter and a distal region having a distal diameter less than the proximal diameter;

a needle control handle at the proximal end of the catheter body;

an injection needle extending through the catheter body and needle control handle and having a proximal end within the needle control handle and a distal end within the needle passage, wherein the injection needle is longitudinally slidable within the catheter body so that its distal end can extend beyond the distal end of the catheter body; and

a needle stop mounted on a portion of the injection needle that is positioned within the proximal region of the needle passage, the needle stop having a distal end that is sized to prevent passage of the portion of the injection needle on which the needle stop is mounted from passing into the distal region of the needle passage;

whereby the needle stop limits the distance that the injection needle can be extended beyond the distal end of the catheter body.

2. An injection catheter according to claim 1, wherein the needle stop comprises a collar mounted in surrounding relation to the injection needle.

3. An injection catheter according to claim 2, wherein the collar has a length ranging from about 0.01 inch to about 0.75 inch.

4. An injection catheter according to claim 1, wherein the needle stop comprises an elongated tube mounted in surrounding relation to the injection needle.

5. An injection catheter according to claim 4, wherein the elongated tube has a length of at least about 2 inches.

6. An injection catheter according to claim 1, wherein the needle stop is integral with the injection needle.

7. An injection catheter according to claim 1, wherein the injection needle comprises:

a proximal tubing having proximal and distal ends and an outer diameter greater than the distal diameter of the needle passage; and

a distal tubing having proximal and distal ends;

wherein the distal end of the proximal tubing is attached to the proximal end of the distal tubing.

8. An injection catheter according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the needle is surrounded by a protective tubing that forms at least a portion of the needle passage.

9. An injection catheter according to claim 1, further comprising a tip electrode mounted on the distal end of the tip section, wherein the injection needle extends through a passage in the tip electrode.

10. An injection catheter according to claim 1, wherein a lumen extends through the needle.