Anchoring mechanisms for intravascular devices

• US 20040199198A1
• Filed: 04/02/2003
• Published: 10/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Scimed Life Systems Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Lowe, Brian J., Beulke, Mel R., Spencer, Steven M.
• Granted Patent: US 6,902,572 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/200
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/1205 Introduction devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22049 Means for locking the guide wire in the catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/011 Instruments for their placement or removal
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/013 Distal protection devices, i.e. devices placed distally in combination with another endovascular procedure, e.g. angioplasty or stenting
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/015 Stop means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0008 elliptical or oval

Abstract

Anchoring mechanisms for limiting travel of an intravascular device along an elongated member such as a guidewire or guide catheter are disclosed. The anchoring mechanism may include a leaf spring that can be actuated between an unlocked position and a locked position. In the unlocked position, the leaf spring is slidably and rotationally disposed along the elongated member. In the locked position, the leaf spring is releasably secured to the elongated member, preventing movement thereon. The leaf spring can be attached directly to the intravascular device, or can be formed as a separate member and used as a stopper mechanism to limit travel of the intravascular device along the elongated member.

Claims

1. An anchoring mechanism for limiting travel of an intravascular device along an elongated member disposed within a body lumen, said anchoring mechanism comprising:

a leaf spring actuatable between an unlocked position and a locked position, the leaf spring comprising a flexible body having at least one opening configured to slidably and rotationally receive the elongated member in the unlocked position, and frictionally engage the elongated member in the locked position.

2. The anchoring mechanism of claim 1, wherein said elongated member is a guidewire.

3. The anchoring mechanism of claim 1, wherein said elongated member is a guide catheter.

4. The anchoring mechanism of claim 1, wherein said leaf spring acts as a stopper mechanism along the elongated member.

5. The anchoring mechanism of claim 1, wherein said leaf spring is attached to or formed integrally with the intravascular device.

6. The anchoring mechanism of claim 1, wherein said flexible body comprises a first flat region, a bend region, and a second flat region.

7. The anchoring mechanism of claim 1, wherein said leaf spring is a multiple leaf spring.

8. The anchoring mechanism of claim 1, wherein said at least one opening is elliptical.

9. The anchoring mechanism of claim 1, wherein said flexible body includes at least one indented region.

10. The anchoring mechanism of claim 1, further comprising a proximal flat region on said flexible body having an opening configured to align perpendicularly to the elongated member in both the unlocked and locked positions.

11. The anchoring mechanism of claim 10, wherein said proximal flat region includes a centering bushing.

12. The anchoring mechanism of claim 1, wherein said leaf spring is formed of a metal.

13. The anchoring mechanism of claim 1, wherein said leaf spring is formed of a polymeric material.

14. The anchoring mechanism of claim 1, wherein said leaf spring is formed of a superelastic material.

15. The anchoring mechanism of claim 1, further comprising means for actuating the leaf spring between the unlocked and locked positions.

16. The anchoring mechanism of claim 15, wherein said means for actuating the leaf spring includes a locking tube.

17. The anchoring mechanism of claim 16, wherein said locking tube includes bendable locking tab.

18. The anchoring mechanism of claim 1, wherein said leaf spring is formed of a super elastic material.

19. An anchoring mechanism for limiting travel of an intravascular device along an elongated member disposed within a body lumen, said anchoring mechanism comprising:

a leaf spring actuatable between an unlocked position and a locked position, the leaf spring comprising a normally flat, flexible body having at least one bend region and a plurality of flat regions, each of said plurality of flat regions having an opening configured to slidably and rotationally receive the elongated member in the unlocked position, and frictionally engage the elongated member in the locked position.

20. The anchoring mechanism of claim 19, wherein said elongated member is a guidewire.

21. The anchoring mechanism of claim 19, wherein said elongated member is a guide catheter.

22. The anchoring mechanism of claim 19, wherein said leaf spring acts as a stopper mechanism along the elongated member.

23. The anchoring mechanism of claim 19, wherein said leaf spring is attached to or formed integrally with the intravascular device.

24. The anchoring mechanism of claim 19, wherein said leaf spring is a single leaf spring.

25. The anchoring mechanism of claim 19, wherein said leaf spring is a multiple leaf spring.

26. The anchoring mechanism of claim 19, wherein said opening is an elliptical opening.

27. The anchoring mechanism of claim 19, wherein said flexible body includes at least one indented region.

28. The anchoring mechanism of claim 19, further comprising a proximal flat region on said flexible body having an opening configured to align perpendicularly to the elongated member in both the unlocked and locked positions.

29. The anchoring mechanism of claim 28, wherein said proximal flat region includes a centering bushing.

30. The anchoring mechanism of claim 19, wherein said leaf spring is formed of a metal.

31. The anchoring mechanism of claim 19, wherein said leaf spring is formed of a polymeric material.

32. The anchoring mechanism of claim 19, wherein said leaf spring is formed of a superelastic material.

33. The anchoring mechanism of claim 19, further comprising means for actuating the leaf spring between the unlocked and locked positions.

34. The anchoring mechanism of claim 33, wherein said means for actuating the leaf spring includes a locking tube.

35. The anchoring mechanism of claim 34, wherein said locking tube includes bendable locking tab.

36. An anchoring mechanism for limiting travel of an intravascular device along an elongated member disposed within a body lumen, said anchoring mechanism comprising:

a leaf spring actuatable between an unlocked position and a locked position, the leaf spring comprising a normally flat, flexible body having at least one bend region and a plurality of flat members, each of said plurality of flat members having an opening defining one or more contact points configured to grip the elongated member in the locked position.

37. An anchoring mechanism for limiting travel of an intravascular device along an elongated member disposed within a body lumen, said anchoring mechanism comprising:

a leaf spring actuatable between an unlocked position and a locked position, the leaf spring comprising a flexible, undulating body having at least one opening configured to slidably and rotationally receive the elongated member in the unlocked position, and frictionally engage the elongated member in the locked position.

38. An anchoring mechanism for limiting travel of an intravascular device along an elongated member disposed within a body lumen, said anchoring mechanism comprising:

a leaf spring actuatable between an unlocked position and a locked position, the leaf spring comprising a flexible body having at least one opening configured to slidably and rotationally receive the elongated member in the unlocked position, and frictionally engage the elongated member in the locked position; and

a locking tube configured to actuate the leaf spring between the unlocked and locked positions.

39. An intravascular filter device, comprising:

a filter frame disposed about an elongated member;

a filter membrane operatively coupled to the filter frame; and

a leaf spring attached to the filter frame, said leaf spring comprising a flexible body having at least one opening configured to slidably and rotationally receive the elongated member in an unlocked position, and frictionally engage the elongated member in a locked position.

40. An intravascular filter device, comprising:

a filter frame disposed about an elongated member;

a filter membrane operatively coupled to the filter frame, said filter membrane being expandable between a collapsed position and an expanded position;

a leaf spring attached to the filter frame, said leaf spring comprising a flexible body having at least one opening configured to slidably and rotationally receive the elongated member in an unlocked position, and frictionally engage the elongated member in a locked position;

a locking tube configured to actuate the leaf spring between the unlocked and locked positions; and

a delivery sheath configured to contain the filter membrane in the collapsed position.