Rotate-to-advance catheterization system

• US 20070005041A1
• Filed: 05/19/2006
• Published: 01/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Olympus Endo Technology America Inc. (Olympus Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Spirus Medical, Inc. (Olympus Corporation)
• Inventors: Ailinger, Robert, Frassica, James
• Granted Patent: US 7,780,650 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/544
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0008 characterised by distal tip features
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00148 using anchoring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00154 using guiding arrangements for insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0016 using motor drive units
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/015 Control of fluid supply or evacuation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/042 characterised by a proximal camera, e.g. a CCD camera
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/273 for the upper alimentary canal, e.g. oesophagoscopes, gastroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/307 for the urinary organs, e.g. urethroscopes, cystoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00685 Archimedes screw
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/349 Trocar with thread on outside
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/361 Image-producing devices, e.g. surgical cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0009 placed in or outside the body opening close to the surface of the body plugging an opening in the wall of a hollow or tubular organ A61B17/0057
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/88 the wire-like elements formed as helical or spiral coils forming a net-like or mesh-like structure A61F2/90
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/94 Stents retaining their form, i.e. not being deformable, after placement in the predetermined place
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/006 having a special surface topography or special surface properties, e.g. roughened or knurled surface
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0191 Suprapubic catheters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/1086 having a special balloon surface topography, e.g. pores, protuberances, spikes or grooves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0017 specially adapted for long-term hygiene care, e.g. urethral or indwelling catheters to prevent infections
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0021 characterised by the form of the tubing A61M25/0054 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0026 Multi-lumen catheters with stationary elements catheter assemblies comprising a catheter in combination with a guide tube, sheath or sleeve A61M2025/0681; catheters comprising telescoping coaxial elements A61M2025/0175
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0043 : characterised by structural features
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0052 : Localized reinforcement, e.g. where only a specific part of the catheter is reinforced, for rapid exchange guidewire port
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0068 : Static characteristics of the catheter tip, e.g. shape, atraumatic tip, curved tip or tip structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/007 : Side holes, e.g. their profiles or arrangements; Provisions to keep side holes unblocked
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0075 : Valve means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/01 : Introducing, guiding, advancing, emplacing or holding catheters A61M25/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0102 : Insertion or introduction using an inner stiffening member, e.g. stylet or push-rod
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0108 : using radio-opaque or ultrasound markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/04 : in the body, e.g. expansible A61M25/10, A61M16/0488 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/10 : Balloon catheters A61M25/0125 takes precedence; embolectomy A61B17/22032; retractors A61B17/02; inflatable balloons for placing stents or stent-grafts A61F2/958 ; stomach balloons for treatment of obesity A61F5/0003; oesophagal tubes A61J15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/1002 : characterised by balloon shape A61M25/1006, A61M25/1009 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 27/008 : pre-shaped, for use in the urethral or ureteral tract

Abstract

Apparatus for accessing a bodily passageway, the apparatus comprising: a flexible tube having a distal end and a proximal end, a longitudinal axis extending between the distal end and the proximal end, and a lumen extending from the distal end to the proximal end, the lumen being sized to receive matter to be transported through the bodily passageway; and an external thread disposed over the distal end of the tube, the external thread having a sufficient structural integrity, and a sufficient surface profile, such that when the tube is disposed in a bodily passageway, rotation of the tube about the longitudinal axis will result in longitudinal motion of the tube along said bodily passageway.

Claims

1. Apparatus for accessing a bodily passageway, the apparatus comprising:

a flexible tube having a distal end and a proximal end, a longitudinal axis extending between the distal end and the proximal end, and a lumen extending from the distal end to the proximal end, the lumen being sized to receive matter to be transported through the bodily passageway; and

an external thread disposed over the distal end of the tube, the external thread having a sufficient structural integrity, and a sufficient surface profile, such that when the tube is disposed in a bodily passageway, rotation of the tube about the longitudinal axis will result in longitudinal motion of the tube along said bodily passageway.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the external thread has a variable thread height.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the thread height tapers along at least a portion of the length of the tube.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the external thread is interrupted along at least a portion of the length of the tube.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the interrupted external thread is arranged in a series of thread segments.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the external thread comprises at least two different thread pitches along at least a portion of the length of the tube.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the external thread comprises protrusions.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the protrusions are encapsulated within bioabsorbable material.

9. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the protrusions are encapsulated within temporary material.

10. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the external thread comprises recesses.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the protrusions are encapsulated within bioabsorbable material.

12. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the protrusions are encapsulated within temporary material.

13. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the external thread comprises at least one of the group consisting of polyurethane, medical grade stainless steel, silicone, bicarbon, polytetrafluoroethylene, tantalum, titanium and/or nickel-titanium alloy.

14. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the external thread comprises bioabsorbable material.

15. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the external thread comprises at least two different materials.

16. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the introducer system further comprises at least one sensor for indicating a condition.

17. Apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the condition is at least one of the group consisting of temperature, pressure, radiation and/or position.

18. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the matter comprises an object to be disposed within the lumen, and wherein the apparatus further comprises a rotary coupling attached to the object and the tube, with the rotary coupling permitting the object to rotate relative to the tube.

19. Apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the rotary coupling can be selectively reversed to unlock the coupling.

20. Apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the rotary coupling is attached to the object and the tube, and further wherein the rotary coupling comprises a unidirectional clutch to permit rotation in a single direction.

21. Apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the clutch direction is reversible.

22. Apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the rotary coupling further comprises a spring connected to the clutch.

23. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus comprises a stent.

24. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus further comprises a retrieval device.

25. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the tube includes at least one from the group consisting of a J-shape, a balloon or protrusion at the distal end of the tube.

26. Apparatus according to claim 25 wherein the at least one protrusion is exposed by one of the group consisting of swelling, liquid absorption, heat, stored energy, electric/electrical signal or ablation.

27. Apparatus according to claim 26 wherein the tube includes a tether.