MEDICAL DEVICE DELIVERY SYSTEM WITH CAPTIVE INNER MEMBER

• US 20060271064A1
• Filed: 05/24/2006
• Published: 11/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cook Medical Incorporated (Cook Group Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Cook Medical Incorporated (Cook Group Incorporated)
• Inventors: Agnew, Charles W.
• Granted Patent: US 8,043,352 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/108
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/95 Instruments specially adapted for placement or removal of stents or stent-grafts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/9517 handle assemblies therefor

Abstract

Delivery systems for delivering and deploying expandable intraluminal medical devices at a desired point of treatment within a body vessel are provided. The delivery systems comprise a sheath member and an inner member slideably disposed within a cavity formed by the sheath member. An expandable intraluminal medical device is disposed about the inner member and is initially positioned within the delivery system. A means for preventing axial movement of the inner member holds the inner member in position so that, while the delivery system and medical device are positioned at a desired point of treatment, the sheath member can be retracted while an axial position of the inner member is substantially maintained.

Claims

1. A delivery system for placing a medical device within a body vessel, said delivery system comprising:

a sheath member having a proximal end, a distal end, a circumferential wall, an inner surface, and an outer surface, the sheath member defining a first passageway extending between the proximal and distal ends and having a distal cavity;

an inner member having a distal tip, a proximal flange, and a mounting region about which said medical device can be disposed, the inner member defining a second passageway extending between the distal tip and proximal flange and being slidably disposed within the distal cavity; and

a fluid disposed in the first passageway and in contact with the proximal flange.

2. A delivery system according to claim 1, wherein the sheath member defines an exchange port disposed between the proximal and distal ends and extending through the circumferential wall, the exchange port providing access to the first passageway.

3. A delivery system according to claim 1, further comprising a reservoir defining a chamber in fluid communication with the first passageway, the chamber adapted to receive at least a portion of the fluid.

4. A delivery system according to claim 3, wherein the reservoir comprises a stem comprising a second proximal end, a second distal end, and defining a third passageway extending between the second proximal and distal ends, the second distal end slidably disposed within the first passageway of the sheath member.

5. A delivery system according to claim 3, further comprising a plunger adapted to force a portion of the fluid from the fluid chamber into the first passageway.

6. A delivery system according to claim 3, wherein the reservoir is integrally formed with the stem.

7. A delivery system according to claim 3, wherein the reservoir comprises a separate member attached to the stem.

8. A delivery system according to claim 1, wherein the inner surface of the sheath member defines a groove adapted to temporarily engage the proximal flange of the inner member.

9. A delivery system for placing a medical device within a body vessel, said delivery system comprising:

a sheath member having a proximal end, a distal end, a circumferential wall, an inner surface, and an outer surface, the sheath member defining a first passageway extending between the proximal and distal ends and having a distal cavity;

an inner member having a distal tip, a proximal flange, and a mounting region about which said medical device can be disposed, the inner member defining a second passageway extending between the distal tip and proximal flange and being slidably disposed within the distal cavity;

a reservoir disposed on the proximal end of the sheath member and defining a chamber in fluid communication with the first passageway;

a fluid disposed in the first passageway and in contact with the proximal flange; and

a plunger associated with the reservoir unit and adapted to force a portion of the fluid from the chamber and into the first passageway.

10. A delivery system according to claim 9, wherein the reservoir is integrally formed with the stem.

11. A delivery system according to claim 9, wherein the reservoir comprises a separate member attached to the stem.

12. A delivery system according to claim 9, wherein the reservoir comprises an exterior surface that defines structural adaptations that form a grip for grasping the reservoir unit by a user of said delivery system.

13. A delivery system according to claim 9, wherein the reservoir comprises a stem, the stem defining a third passageway extending between the chamber and the first passageway of the sheath member and providing fluid communication between the chamber and the first passageway.

14. A delivery system according to claim 13, wherein the stem comprises a distal flange having a circumferential surface in continuous contact with the inner surface of the sheath member.

15. A delivery system according to claim 9, further comprising a grip disposed on the proximal end of the sheath member.

16. A delivery system according to claim 15, wherein the grip comprises at least one ring defining a hole capable of receiving a finger of a user of said delivery system therethrough.

17. A delivery system according to claim 9, wherein the inner surface of the sheath member defines a groove adapted to temporarily engage the proximal flange of the inner member.

18. A delivery system for placing a medical device within a body vessel, said delivery system comprising:

a sheath member having a proximal end, a distal end, a circumferential wall, an inner surface, and an outer surface, the sheath member defining a first passageway extending between the proximal and distal ends and having a distal cavity;

an inner member having a distal tip, a proximal flange, and a mounting region about which said medical device can be disposed, the inner member defining a second passageway extending between the distal tip and proximal flange and being slidably disposed within the distal cavity;

a reservoir disposed on the proximal end of the sheath member and defining a chamber in fluid communication with the first passageway, the reservoir including a stem defining a third passageway extending between the chamber and the first passageway of the sheath member and providing fluid communication between the chamber and the first passageway;

a fluid disposed in the first passageway and in contact with the proximal flange;

a plunger associated with the reservoir unit and adapted to force a portion of the fluid from the chamber and into the first passageway; and

a grip disposed on the proximal end of the sheath member;

wherein the inner surface of the sheath member defines a groove adapted to temporarily engage the proximal flange of the inner member.

19. A delivery system according to claim 18, wherein the grip comprises at least one ring defining a hole capable of receiving a finger of a user of said delivery system therethrough.

20. A delivery system according to claim 18, wherein the sheath member defines an exchange port disposed between the proximal and distal ends and extending through the circumferential wall, the exchange port providing access to the first passageway.