Thin wall catheter and method of placing same

• US 20060184105A1
• Filed: 02/15/2005
• Published: 08/17/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Heraeus Materials SA (Heraeus Holding GMBH)
• Original Assignee: Heraeus Materials SA (Heraeus Holding GMBH)
• Inventors: Soukup, Thomas M., Townsend, Gregory L.
• Application Number:
  US11/058,685
• Publication Number:
  US 20060184105A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/93.10
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0025 having a collapsible lumen
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0063 having means, e.g. stylets, mandrils, rods or wires to reinforce or adjust temporarily the stiffness, column strength or pushability of catheters which are already inserted into the human body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0681 Systems with catheter and outer tubing, e.g. sheath, sleeve or guide tube
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/09125 Device for locking a guide wire in a fixed position with respect to the catheter or the human body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0054 with regions for increasing flexibility
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0138 having flexible regions as a result of weakened outer material, e.g. slots, slits, cuts, joints or coils
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0141 having flexible regions as a result of using materials with different mechanical properties
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0662 Guide tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/104 used for angioplasty

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for introducing diagnostic and/or therapeutic agents and devices within a mammalian body are disclosed. One disclosed apparatus comprises a sheath having a proximate end, a distal end and a lumen extending therebetween. An articulator is disposed in the lumen of the sheath. A distal portion of the sheath is detachably attached to a distal portion of the articulator at a joint. A separator capable of severing the joint is also provided. One disclosed method comprises the step of providing a device comprising a sheath disposed about an articulator with a distal portion of the sheath being fixed to the articulator at a joint. The device is inserted into a lumen of a body. The joint is severed and the articulator is withdrawn from the sheath.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a sheath having a proximate end, a distal end and a lumen extending therebetween;

an articulator disposed in the lumen of the sheath;

a distal portion of sheath being detachably attached to a distal portion of the articulator at a joint; and

a separator capable of severing the joint.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the joint comprises an adhesive.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the adhesive comprises a cyanoacrylate adhesive.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the adhesive comprises a silicone adhesive.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the adhesive comprises polyethylene glycol.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the joint comprises a solvent welded bond.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the joint comprises a thermally welded bond.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the joint comprises a chemical bond.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the joint comprises a mechanical linkage.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the articulator is steerable.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the separator comprises a tube.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the separator comprises a wire disposed within a lumen of the tube.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the wire extends proximally beyond a proximal end of the tube.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the wire extends distally beyond a distal end of the tube.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the separator is actuated at a proximate end thereof.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein a portion of the distal end of the deployment actuator extends beyond a portion of the distal end of the sheath, and a portion of the distal end of the articulator extends beyond a portion of the distal end of deployment actuator.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the sheath comprises a lubricous coating on an outside surface thereof.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the sheath comprises an anti-thrombic coating on an outside surface thereof.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the sheath comprises a lubricous coating on an inside surface thereof.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein a distal region of the articulator has adjustable lateral stiffness.

21. The system of claim 1, wherein a distal region of the articulator is capable of a first shape having a first lateral stiffness and a second shape having a second lateral stiffness.

22. The system of claim 1, wherein the sheath has a lateral stiffness that is less than a lateral stiffness of the articulator.

23. The system of claim 1, wherein the sheath has a hoop strength selected such that a pressure within the body lumen causes the sheath to collapse.

24. A method comprising the steps of:

providing a device comprising a sheath disposed about an articulator with a distal portion of the sheath being fixed to the articulator at a joint;

inserting the device into a lumen of a body;

severing the joint; and

withdrawing the articulator from the sheath.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the step of severing the joint comprises the step of applying an axial force to a deployment actuator.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the axial force is applied to the deployment actuator in a distal direction.

27. The method of claim 24, wherein the deployment actuator comprises a tube.

28. A device comprising:

an articulator having a proximate end and a distal end;

a sheath having a proximate end and a distal end;

a distal portion sheath being detachably attached to a distal portion of the articulator at a joint; and

a separator capable of detaching the sheath from articulator.

29. A sheath comprising:

a first wall defining a first lumen;

a second wall defining a second lumen;

the second wall being substantially disposed within the first lumen;

the first wall being folded to form at least one flap;

the at least one flap being wrapped around the second wall.

30. An apparatus comprising:

a sheath having a proximate end, a distal end and a lumen extending therebetween;

an articulator disposed in the lumen of the sheath;

an internal pressure within a lumen of the articulator being lower than an external pressure outside of the sheath; and

the external pressure urging the sheath against the articulator for operatively connecting the sheath and the articulator.