Valvulotome with a cutting edge

• US 20050192606A1
• Filed: 02/28/2005
• Published: 09/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cook Medical Incorporated (Cook Group Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Cook Incorporated (Cook Group Incorporated)
• Inventors: Case, Brian C., Flagle, Jacob A., Paul, Ram H. Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 7,717,930 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/159
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3207 Atherectomy devices working by cutting or abrading; Similar devices specially adapted for non-vascular obstructions A61B17/32037 takes precedence; endoscopic cutting instruments A61B17/320016
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320725 with radially expandable cutting or abrading elements A61B17/32075 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22097 Valve removal in veins

Abstract

Valvulotome devices comprising a cutting edge are provided. Some valvulotome devices incisably engage a venous valve leaflet within a body vessel while at least a portion of the cutting edge is oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the valvulotome device. Valvulotome devices are preferably configured to slidably engage a venous valve leaflet upon translation of the valvulotome device along the longitudinal axis of a body vessel. A valvulotome device can further comprise one or more valvulotome arms of variable lengths and dimensions. In some embodiments, the valvulotome device can be self expanding. Embodiments of the invention also provide delivery systems comprising a valvulotome device. The present invention also provides for methods of using a valvulotome device. Kits comprising a valvulotome device are also provided.

Claims

1. A valvulotome device comprising a longitudinal axis and a cutting edge, where at least a portion of the cutting edge is oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the valvulotome device.

2. The valvulotome device of claim 1 further comprising a means for capturing a valve leaflet in a body vessel and a means for guiding the valve leaflet to the cutting edge.

3. The valvulotome device of claim 1, further comprising a guiding structural feature in communication with a cutting edge.

4. The valvulotome device of claim 1, where the valvulotome device further comprises a notch perimeter including a leaflet engaging probe member, an angled surface and a cutting edge defining at least a portion of a perimeter of a notch.

10. The valvulotome device of claim 1, where the valvulotome device is self expanding and is moveable between a first compressed configuration and a second expanded configuration.

11. The valvulotome device of claim 1, further comprising a radiopaque marker.

18. The delivery device of claim 10, further comprising an inner guide wire conduit at least partially enclosed by a portion of the valvulotome device.

19. The delivery device of claim 10, further comprising a means for monitoring the position of the valvulotome device.

20. The delivery device of claim 10, further comprising a means for monitoring the position of a cutting edge.

5. A valvulotome device having a longitudinal axis and comprising one or more valvulotome arms.

6. The valvulotome device of claim 5, comprising at least one valvulotome arm presenting a cutting edge, where at least a portion of the cutting edge is oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the valvulotome device.

7. The valvulotome device of claim 5, where a portion of the body of at least one valvulotome arm has a curved cross section.

8. The valvulotome device of claim 5 comprising two to six valvulotome arms.

9. The valvulotome device of claim 8, where at least one valvulotome arm does not comprise a cutting edge.

12. A valvulotome device having a longitudinal axis and comprising

a cutting edge, where at least a portion of the cutting edge is oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the valvulotome device;

and

a capturing structural feature cooperatively positioned with respect to both a guiding structural feature and the cutting edge, where the guiding structural feature is in communication with the cutting edge.

13. The valvulotome device of claim 12, where the capturing structural feature is a leaflet engaging probe member, the guiding structural feature is an angled surface, and where the leaflet-engaging probe member, the angled surface and the cutting edge define at least a portion of a perimeter of a notch.

14. The valvulotome device of claim 13, where the valvulotome device further comprises at least one valvulotome arm having a notch.

15. The valvulotome device of claim 12, where the valvulotome device further comprises two to six valvulotome arms, with at least one valvulotome arm comprising a cutting edge, a capturing structural feature and a guiding structural feature.

16. The valvulotome device of claim 15, where the valvulotome device comprises at least four valvulotome arms and two valvulotome arms do not comprise a cutting edge.

17. A delivery system comprising a valvulotome device and an outer sheath, the outer sheath having a delivery position and a deployment position, where the valvulotome device is retained in a compressed delivery configuration when the outer sheath is in the delivery position, and the valvulotome device is radially expanded when the outer sheath is in the deployment position.

21. A method of treating a venous valve-related condition comprising the step of inserting a valvulotome device into a body vessel and translating the valvulotome device longitudinally within the body vessel to slidably engage a venous valve leaflet.

22. A kit comprising a valvulotome device and a delivery system.