VALVE LOADER METHOD, SYSTEM, AND APPARATUS

• US 20090099530A1
• Filed: 10/10/2008
• Published: 04/16/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gyrus ACMI, Inc. (Olympus Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Spiration, Inc. (Olympus Corporation)
• Inventors: Kutsko, James Mark, O'Connell, Desmond, Adams, Martin Neal
• Granted Patent: US 8,136,230 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/264
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2427 Devices for manipulating or deploying heart valves during implantation
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/9522 Means for mounting a stent or stent-graft onto or into a placement instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/9525 using a funnel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/043 Bronchi
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/008 Alarm means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53 Means to assemble or disassemble
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53078 with means to fasten by frictional fitting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5383 having fluid operator
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53843 Tube, sleeve, or ferrule inserting or removing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53909 Means comprising hand manipulatable tool
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53913 Aligner or center
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53943 Hand gripper for direct push or pull

Abstract

A valve loading system is provided that uses a valve loader to transfer a valve or other medical device from a storage cartridge into a deployment catheter. The valve or other medical device can be implanted or positioned within a patient using the catheter after the valve or other medical device has been compressed and loaded into the catheter using the valve loader. The process then can be repeated by using the valve loading system to load or introduce another valve or other medical device into the catheter.

Claims

1. A system for the sterile loading of a deployable medical device into a deployment apparatus, the system comprising a housing comprising a cavity, the cavity configured to receive at least one interchangeable medical device cartridge configured to house the deployable medical device therein, the housing further comprising an actuator configured to direct the deployable medical device from the at least one interchangeable medical device cartridge to a discharge end of said housing, said discharge end configured to receive the deployment apparatus into which the deployable medical device may be loaded.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a funnel-shaped channel positioned between the cavity and the discharge end, the funnel-shaped channel configured to permit the passage of the deployable medical device therethrough when the actuator directs the deployable medical device from the at least one interchangeable medical device cartridge to the discharge end for loading into a deployment apparatus.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising the at least one interchangeable medical device cartridge.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the at least one interchangeable medical device cartridge comprises a tapered lumen for compressing the deployable medical device prior to loading into a deployment device.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises a plunger configured to engage the deployable medical device housed within the at least one interchangeable medical device cartridge.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a clamp configured to secure the deployment apparatus to the housing when loading the deployable medical device into the deployment apparatus.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a lock to prevent undesired release of the deployment apparatus prior to correct loading of the deployable medical device into the deployment apparatus.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a stop to signal the user that the actuator has traveled to the correct position for completely loading the deployable medical device into the deployment apparatus.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a means for providing an audible sound or visual confirmation to signal the user that the actuator has traveled to the correct position for completely loading the deployable medical device into the deployment apparatus.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a means for providing an audible sound to signal the user that the deployment apparatus has been locked into the housing clamp and that loading may commence.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a safety apparatus to protect the actuator from being damaged by improper installation or removal of the at least one interchangeable medical device cartridge within the cavity.

12. A kit for use in the storage, transport and loading of a deployable medical device into a deployment apparatus, the kit comprising the system of claim 4 and further comprising the deployment apparatus.

13. The kit of claim 12 further comprising a plurality of interchangeable medical device cartridges.

14. The kit of claim 13, wherein at least one of the interchangeable medical device cartridges contains a medical device having a size different from at least one other medical device within another of the interchangeable medical device cartridges.

15. A storage and transport cartridge comprising an enclosure for interchangeable use in a loading system, the enclosure configured to house a deployable medical device that may be directed by the loading system into a deployment apparatus.

16. A kit for use in loading a medical device into a deployment apparatus, the kit comprising the cartridge of claim 15 and a loading system into which the cartridge may be interchangeably inserted.

17. A method of loading a medical device into a deployment apparatus, the method comprising inserting an interchangeable medical device cartridge into a loading system, the system comprising a housing comprising a cavity for receiving the interchangeable medical device cartridge, and activating an actuator within the loading system to direct a medical device within the interchangeable medical device cartridge through said loading system and into the deployment apparatus.