Delivery device

• US 20050267361A1
• Filed: 05/25/2005
• Published: 12/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: US Endoscopy Group Inc. (Steris Corporation)
• Original Assignee: US Endoscopy Group Inc. (Steris Corporation)
• Inventors: Mancini, William Ross, Kaye, Christopher J., Secrest, Dean J., John, K. Randall, Stuba, Robert M., Younker, Marlin E.
• Granted Patent: US 8,834,355 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/423
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00147 Holding or positioning arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/273 for the upper alimentary canal, e.g. oesophagoscopes, gastroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3468 for implanting or removing devices, e.g. prostheses, implants, seeds, wires devices for implanting seeds A61M37/0069
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22035 for retrieving or repositioning foreign objects
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/073 Intestinal transmitters
• 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

Abstract

A device for delivering an apparatus or object to a targeted location within a human subject is disclosed. The device includes a body, a handle mounted to and movable relative to the body, a tube, a cable, and retention unit. The tube has a first end fixed to the body and a second end fixed to the retention unit. The cable has a first end fixed to the handle and a second end remote from the body. The cable extends substantially through the tube. The retention unit applies a retention force sufficient to retain the capsule during endoscopic delivery to the targeted release location. Manipulation of the handle in a direction relative to the retention unit generates a force on the apparatus greater than the retention force. A method of use is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A device for delivering an apparatus or an object to a targeted location within a human subject, the device comprising:

a. a body having a first passage therethrough;

b. an elongated tube having a first end proximal with and fixed to said body and a second end distal from said body, said tube defining a second passage aligned with said first passage;

c. a cable having a first end and a second end and slidably engaged within said first passage and said second passage concurrently;

d. a handle fixed to said cable first end and movable relative to said body; and

e. a retention unit connected to said tube second end, wherein said unit applies a retention force sufficient to retain a object during delivery to said targeted release location;

f. wherein manipulation of said handle in a direction relative to said retention unit creates axial movement of said cable, whereby said cable second end generates sufficient force against said object to expel said object from said retention unit.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said retention unit comprises a shell sized to hold said object therein.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said retention unit comprises a shell having an outer surface defining an opening sized to allow a manual press fit of said object therethrough.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said retention unit comprises a shell containing a viscous fluid.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said retention unit comprises a cup having a suction port in communication with a suction source.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein said retention unit comprises a covering sized to hold said object therein, wherein said covering is constructed of an elastomeric component.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein said retention unit comprises a shell sized to hold said object therein, wherein said shell defines at least one slot therein such that said shell provides a force to retain said object.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein said object is an image capturing capsule.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein said retention unit is a shell having a plurality of longitudinal slots and in a relaxed position defines a cavity of smaller volume than said object.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein said body comprising a handle stop, wherein said handle stop limits axial travel of said cable in a distal direction.

11. A device for delivering an image capturing capsule to a targeted release location within a human subject, the device comprising:

a. a body;

b. a handle mounted to and movable relative to said body;

c. a tube having a first end fixed to said body and a second end, said tube defining a passage and opening at said second end;

d. a cable having a first end fixed to said handle and a second end remote from said body, said cable extending substantially through said tube passage; and

e. a retention unit connected to said tube second end and sized to retain said capsule, wherein said unit applies a retention force sufficient to retain said capsule during endoscopic delivery to said targeted release location;

f. wherein manipulation of said handle in a direction relative to said retention unit generates a force on said capsule greater than said retention force.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein said retention unit comprises a clear base and a cylindrical shaped shell having an open distal end.

13. The device of claim 11 wherein said retention unit comprises a shell having a distal end opening of sufficient size to allow a manual press fit of said capsule therethrough.

14. The device of claim 11 wherein said retention unit comprises a shell having a plurality of longitudinal slots.

15. The device of claim 11 wherein said cable comprises a stop member to limit movement of the cable second end in a direction toward said retention unit.

16. The device of claim 11 wherein said cable second end comprises a ball-shaped tip.

17. The device of claim 11 wherein said retention unit comprises a shell having a semi-circumferential orifice, wherein said orifice is of sufficient size to allow a manual press fit of said capsule therethrough.

18. The device of claim 11 wherein said retention unit comprises a bullet-shaped shell having a slotted and tapered distal end.

19. The device of claim 11 wherein said retention unit comprises a shell having a hinged distal end.

20. The device of claim 11 wherein said retention unit comprises a shell having a distal end portion comprising extending tongues.

21. The device of claim 11 wherein said retention unit comprises a shell having an exterior surface channel through which a guide wire may be threaded.

22. The device of claim 11 wherein said body comprising a handle stop, wherein said handle stop limits axial travel of said cable in a distal direction.

23. The device of claim 11 wherein said retention unit comprises a cup having a suction port in communication with a suction source.

24. A method to deliver an image capturing capsule to a targeted location within a human subject, the method comprising the steps of:

a. selecting a delivery device comprising;

i. a body;

ii. a handle mounted to and movable relative to said body;

iii. a tube having a first end fixed to said body and a second end, said tube defining a passage;

iv. a cable having a first end fixed to said handle and a second end remote from said body, said cable extending substantially through said tube; and

v. a retention unit connected to said tube second end, wherein said unit applies a force sufficient to retain said capsule during a delivery to said targeted release location;

b. loading said capsule within said retention unit;

c. moving a distal end of said device until said capsule is adjacent said desired location;

d. manipulating said handle in a direction relative to said retention unit; and

e. expelling said capsule from said retention unit.

25. The method of claim 24 further including the steps of:

a. threading said tube and said cable simultaneously through an instrument channel of an endoscope; and

b. connecting the retention unit to the tube.

26. The method of claim 24 further including the step of verifying the expulsion of said capsule from said retention unit by visual confirmation of an empty retention unit.

27. The method of claim 24 further including the step of verifying the expulsion of said capsule from said retention unit by visual confirmation of an empty retention unit, wherein said retention unit comprises a transparent base.

28. A device for delivering an apparatus to a targeted release location within a human subject, the device comprising:

a. an elongated body;

b. a handle mounted on and slidable relative to said body;

c. a tube having a proximal end fixed to said body and a distal end, said tube defining a passage from said proximal end to said distal end;

d. a cable having a proximal end fixed to said handle and a distal end, said cable extending substantially through said tube passage; and

e. a retention unit connected to said tube proximal end and comprising a shell sized to retain said capsule, said shell having a distal end opening, said opening allowing a manual press fit of said apparatus therethrough.

29. The device of claim 28 wherein said retention unit comprises a translucent base and a cylindrical-shaped shell having an open contoured distal end.

30. The device of claim 28 wherein said retention unit comprises a transparent base and a cylindrical-shaped shell having an open contoured distal end.

31. The device of claim 28 wherein said cable distal end comprises a ball tip.

32. The device of claim 28 wherein said cable comprises a shoulder to limit movement of the cable second end in a direction toward said retention unit.

33. The device of claim 28 wherein said retention unit is removably connected to said tube proximal end by a threaded connection.

34. The device of claim 28 wherein said retention unit comprises a cup having a suction port in communication with a suction source.