Distal Tip Assembly for a Heart Valve Delivery Catheter

• US 20110202128A1
• Filed: 01/28/2011
• Published: 08/18/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Vascular, Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: DUFFY, Niall
• Granted Patent: US 8,475,523 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/2.11
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2436 Deployment by retracting a sheath
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/9665 with additional retaining means

Abstract

A catheter assembly according to the present invention includes a handle assembly, an introducer sheath, and a distal tip assembly. The distal tip assembly can include first and second retaining sleeves and a slotted tip with a non-traumatic tip guard positioned at the proximal end of the slotted tip. The handle assembly can include a fixed main handle and two or more rotating handles that allow a user to control the distal tip assembly of the catheter. Each control knob on the handle assembly controls a portion of the components on the distal tip of the catheter by allowing for precise manipulation of various delivery shafts. Each delivery shaft extends from the handle assembly to respective positions towards the distal end of the catheter.

Claims

1. A distal tip assembly for a catheter, the catheter having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal tip assembly comprising:

a flexible tip;

a tip guard positioned at the proximal end of the flexible tip;

a first valve retaining sleeve, wherein the first valve retaining sleeve is configured to be axially movable over the flexible tip from a proximal position to a distal position; and

a second valve retaining sleeve positioned proximally to the first valve retaining sleeve, wherein the second valve retaining sleeve is axially moveable with respect to the first valve retaining sleeve,

wherein the tip guard of the flexible tip is encompassed by the first valve retaining sleeve when the first valve retaining sleeve is in its proximal position, and wherein the tip guard is exposed on the proximal side of the first valve retaining sleeve when the first valve retaining sleeve is in its distal position.

2. The distal tip assembly of claim 1, wherein the tip guard is semi-spherical.

3. The distal tip assembly of claim 1, wherein the tip guard is semi-ellipsoid.

4. The distal tip assembly of claim 1, wherein the tip guard is cone-shaped.

5. The distal tip assembly of claim 1, further including a flexible connector having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the flexible connector is attached to the distal end of the first valve retaining sleeve.

6. The distal tip assembly of claim 5, wherein the flexible connector decreases in diameter across its length from the proximal end to the distal end.

7. The distal tip assembly of claim 1, wherein the semi-spherical tip guard has a base at its distal end, and wherein the diameter of the base of the semi-spherical tip guard is substantially equal to an inner diameter of the first valve retaining sleeve.

8. A method of implanting a prosthetic valve into a heart, the method comprising:

obtaining a catheter, wherein the catheter includes a distal tip assembly including a replacement valve, a first retaining sleeve positioned over a distal end of the replacement valve, a second retaining sleeve positioned over the proximal end of the replacement valve, and a tip guard;

delivering the replacement valve to an implantation site in the heart using the catheter;

advancing the first retaining sleeve in a distal direction to expose a portion of the replacement valve, wherein the distal tip of the replacement valve remains covered by the first retaining sleeve;

further advancing the first retaining sleeve in a distal direction to release the distal tip of the replacement valve; and

retracting the second retaining sleeve in a proximal direction to release the remainder of the replacement valve.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising withdrawing the distal tip assembly from the heart.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the tip guard is semi-spherical.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the tip guard is semi-ellipsoid.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the tip guard is cone-shaped.