TOOL DELIVERY SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF USE

• US 20110172706A1
• Filed: 10/05/2010
• Published: 07/14/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Smith, Paul, Weitzner, Barry, Kappel, Gary
• Application Number:
  US12/898,092
• Publication Number:
  US 20110172706A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/223
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0469 Suturing instruments for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/06128 Elongate cylinders, i.e. tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00862 elastic or resilient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0479 Packages or dispensers for MIS suturing instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0608 J-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0801 Prevention of accidental cutting or pricking

Abstract

Tool delivery systems and methods of use are disclosed herein. The delivery systems include a case for transporting a flexible tool to a procedure site and a guide tube. In one aspect, the flexible tool has a first size and shape greater than the diameter of a lumen within the guide tube. Placing the flexible tool into the case changes the flexible tool into a second, smaller size and shape and allows delivery of the needle through the guide tube.

Claims

1. A method for delivering a flexible tool to the site of a procedure, the method comprising:

inserting a case into a lumen of an elongate flexible device, the lumen having a proximal end and a distal end and a minimum interior width, the case having an inner cavity and a flexible tool positioned within the cavity, the tool having a first shape with a first spatial width while inside the case, the first shape different from a second shape when the flexible tool is unconstrained by the case;

passing the case through the passageway to the distal end of the lumen; and

removing the flexible tool from the case and allowing the tool to assume the second shape, the second shape having a spatial width greater than the minimum interior width of the lumen.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the flexible tool is a suture needle.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the second shape is the needle'"'"'s natural shape prior to insertion into the case.

4. The method of claim 1, further including the step, subsequent to removing the flexible tool, of bending the flexible tool.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein removing the flexibile tool is performed by pulling a suture material attached to the flexible tool.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the case is self-opening, and the step of removing the flexible tool includes moving the case out of the distal end of the lumen and allowing the case to open.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the elongate flexible device is a guide tube comprising a lumen and at least one articulating instrument comprising a proximal controller, an elongate flexible body, and a distal grasper controlled by the proximal controller.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising, after the step of passing, the step of grabbing the case with the distal grasper of the articulating instrument.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of removing the tool includes grabbing the tool with a second articulating instrument.

10. A system for delivering a tool through a lumen of an elongate device, comprising:

an elongate device having at least one lumen;

a case comprising an outer surface, a proximal end, a distal end, and an inner cavity, the outer surface sized to fit within the at least one lumen; and

a tool comprising a proximal end and a sharp distal end, the tool having a curved shape and a spatial width larger than a cross sectional width of the cavity, the tool being situated inside the case in a compressed manner.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the case comprises a first section and a second section and is self opening when removed from the at least one lumen.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the case comprises a first section and a second section that are detachably mated.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the case comprises a first section and a second section that are mated with a hinge.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the proximal end of the case includes a handling feature.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the distal end of the case is open.

16. A case for delivering a flexible tool through a lumen comprising:

an outer surface; and

an inner chamber for holding the flexible tool, wherein the inner chamber has a cross-sectional width that accommodates the tool, wherein the cross-sectional width of the inner chamber is less than a cross-sectional width of the tool after the tool is removed from the inner chamber.

17. The case of claim 16, wherein the outer surface is comprised of two sections coupled to one another, and decoupling the two sections releases the flexible tool from the inner chamber.

18. The case of claim 16, wherein the outer surface includes a window through which a portion of the tool extends out of the inner chamber.

19. A tool for delivering in a case to a procedure site within a patient, the tool comprising:

a first cross-sectional width when inside the case; and

a second cross-sectional width when removed from the case, the second cross-sectional width being greater than the first cross-sectional width.

20. The tool of claim 19, wherein the tool further comprises a curved shape that bends when placed inside the case.

21. The tool of 19, wherein the tool is a needle.