Apparatus and method for establishing access to the body

• US 20050049570A1
• Filed: 09/27/2004
• Published: 03/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Chin, Yem, Bottcher, Benjamin J., Liu, Clifford M., Adams, John B.
• Granted Patent: US 7,678,100 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/500
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/01 Introducing, guiding, advancing, emplacing or holding catheters A61M25/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0108 using radio-opaque or ultrasound markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0662 Guide tubes

Abstract

An apparatus and method for access to the inside of a body includes a transparent sheath with a radiopaque marking and fastener for securing a guidewire or catheter. The transparent sheath permits objects located within and near the sheath to be visualized with an external imaging system. Objects located near the sheath can also be observed with an imaging device disposed inside the sheath. The radiopaque marker permits accurate positioning of the sheath in the body. The sheath can be inserted into the body over an interventional device. A fastener prevents migration of a guidewire or catheter during the procedure.

Claims

1. A medical device for providing access to the inside of a human or animal body, comprising

an elongated hollow member including a distal end and a proximal end and comprised of a transparent material;

a radiopaque marking disposed on said elongated hollow body; and

a fastener at the proximal end of said elongated hollow body to secure at least another medical device.

2. The medical device of claim 1 further comprising a radiopaque line disposed on and parallel to the length of said elongated hollow member.

3. The medical device of claim 1 comprising a plurality radiopaque markings.

4. The medical device of claim 1 wherein said distal end has an end face and the radiopaque marking is disposed on said distal end face.

5. The medical device of claim 1 wherein said distal end has an end face and said distal end face and a longitudinal axis of the sheath define an angle of approximately 90 degrees.

6. The medical device of claim 1 wherein said distal end has an end face and said distal end face and a longitudinal axis of the sheath define an angle less than 90 degrees.

7. The medical device of claim 1 wherein the fastener comprises a retaining slot.

8. The medical device of claim 7 wherein the retaining slot provides an interference fit for securing said at least another medical device.

9. The medical device of claim 1 wherein said at least another medical device is a guidewire.

10. The medical device of claim 1 wherein said at least another medical device is a catheter.

11. The medical device of claim 1 wherein the transparent material is transparent to visible light.

12. The medical device of claim 1 wherein the transparent material is transparent to x-rays.

13. A method of accessing the inside of a human or animal body, said method comprising the steps of:

a) inserting a first medical device into the body; and

b) inserting a second medical device over the first medical device and into the body, said second medical device comprised of

an elongated hollow member, said elongated member including a proximal end, a distal end, and a transparent material,

a radiopaque marking disposed on said elongated hollow member, and

a fastener disposed near the proximal end.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the steps of:

c) inserting an interventional device into the body.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of:

d) removing the interventional device from the body.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the removal of the interventional device from the body according to step d) is performed before the insertion of the second medical device into the body.

17. The method of claim 13 wherein the fastener comprises a retaining slot to provide an interference fit to secure the first medical device.

18. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of:

e) securing the first medical device to the second medical device in the fasteners.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein step e) comprises the step of securing the first medical device to a magnet disposed adjacent to the retaining slot.

20. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of viewing objects relative to a radiopaque marking disposed at a distal end of the second medical device.

21. A method of viewing objects within a human or animal body comprising the steps of:

a) inserting a first medical device into the body;

b) inserting a second medical device over the first medical device, said second medical device comprised of

an elongated hollow member, said elongated member including a proximal end, a distal end, and a transparent material, and

a radiopaque marking disposed on said elongated hollow member; and

c) viewing with an imaging device objects disposed within or adjacent to the second medical device and relative to the radiopaque end.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the imaging device of step c) is located substantially within the second medical device.

23. The method of claim 21 wherein the imaging device is a side-viewing endoscope.

24. The method of claim 21 wherein the imaging device of step c) is a fluoroscopic imaging system external to the body.

25. The method of claim 21 further comprising the step of securing the first medical device to the second medical device in a fastener disposed near the proximal end of the second medical device.

26. The method of claim 21 wherein the second medical device is transparent to visible light.

27. The method of claim 21 wherein the second medical device is transparent to x-rays.