LOW PROFILE GUIDING CATHETER FOR NEUROVASCULAR APPLICATIONS

• US 20120041411A1
• Filed: 04/18/2011
• Published: 02/16/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Depuy Synthes Products Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson), Micro Endovascular, LLC, UAB Research Foundation (University of Alabama System)
• Original Assignee: Micrus Endovascular LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: ECHARRI, Roberto, HORTON, Joseph A., WILLIAMS, Eric
• Application Number:
  US13/088,705
• Publication Number:
  US 20120041411A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/500
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0037 characterized by lumina being arranged side-by-side
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0042 Microcatheters, cannula or the like having outside diameters around 1 mm or less
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0046 Coatings for improving slidability
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0047 the inner layer having a higher lubricity
• 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 25/0032 characterized by at least one unconventionally shaped lumen, e.g. polygons, ellipsoids, wedges or shapes comprising concave and convex parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0054 with regions for increasing flexibility
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/008 Strength or flexibility characteristics of the catheter tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0662 Guide tubes

Abstract

A low profile guiding catheter has a non-round shape for use in delivery of multiple microcatheters for treatment of neurovascular defects, such as for treatment of aneurysms. The low profile guiding catheter includes torque transmittal guidance walls that are flexible linearly but not circumferentially, and that are neither collapsible nor kinkable.

Claims

1. A low profile guiding catheter for neurovascular applications comprising:

elongated wall structure extending along a length of the catheter defining at least one lumen having a low profile, non-circular cross-sectional shape that flexes easily along at least a portion of the length of the catheter; and

guidance walls along at least a portion of the elongated wall structure which are linearly flexible, circumferentially relatively inflexible, and resistant to collapse and kinks.

2. The low profile guiding catheter of claim 1, wherein the non-circular cross-sectional shape is an oval.

3. The low profile guiding catheter of claim 1, wherein the elongated wall structure is further comprised of braided material in said wall.

4. The low profile guiding catheter of claim 1, wherein the elongated wall structure is further comprised of coils in said wall.

5. The low profile guiding catheter of claim 4, wherein said coils comprise elongate coils, the axis of which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of said wall structure.

6. The low profile guiding catheter of claim 1, wherein a portion of the elongated wall structure defining an innermost lumen has a lubricious inner surface to optimize a wire exchange process in distal sections of arteries.

7. The low profile guiding catheter of claim 6, wherein the elongated wall structure defines one lumen.

8. The low profile guiding catheter of claim 6, wherein the lubricious inner surface is provided by a coating on the elongated wall structure.

9. The low profile guiding catheter of claim 8, wherein the lubricious inner surface is provided by polytetrafluoroethylene.

10. The low profile guiding catheter of claim 1, wherein said catheter has a distal end with a segmented progressively compliant distal tip design comprising a compliant polymeric material therein chosen to minimize vessel trauma.

11. The low profile guiding catheter of claim 3, wherein said catheter has an exterior surface comprising a polymeric material with a lubricious hydrophilic outer coating to encapsulate said braided material.

12. The low profile guiding catheter of claim 4, wherein said catheter has an exterior surface comprising a polymeric material with a lubricious hydrophilic outer coating to encapsulate said coils.

13. The low profile guiding catheter of claim 1, wherein the elongated wall structure defines an innermost lumen configured to accommodate a plurality of medical devices therein.

14. A low profile guiding catheter for neurovascular applications comprising:

an elongated outer wall structure extending along a length of the catheter defining at least one lumen having a low profile, non-round cross-sectional shape that flexes relatively easily along at least a portion of the length of the catheter, said guiding catheter having a distal end of a first French size and a proximal end configured to fit with a proximal end of a medical device, the proximal end of the medical device of a second French size that is larger than the first French size.

15. The low profile guiding catheter of claim 14, wherein the inner wall of said elongated wall structure defines an inner lumen configured to fit two or more medical delivery microcatheters therein.

16. The low profile guiding catheter of claim 15, further comprising at least two microcatheters disposed within an innermost lumen of said low profile guiding catheter.

17. A method of minimizing trauma during delivery of at least one intravascular interventional device for treatment of defects in a neurovasculature, comprising:

inserting a low profile guiding catheter into the neurovasculature, said low profile guiding catheter including an elongated wall structure extending along a length of the catheter defining at least one lumen having a low profile, non-circular cross-sectional shape that flexes easily along at least a portion of the length of the catheter, and guidance walls along at least a portion of the elongated wall structure, said guidance walls being linearly flexible, circumferentially relatively inflexible, and resistant to collapse and kinks; and

delivering an intravascular interventional device through a lumen defined by the elongated wall structure of the low profile guiding catheter.