Push/Pull Wire Anchor

• US 20120053569A1
• Filed: 10/11/2011
• Published: 03/01/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Greatbatch Limited (Greatbatch Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Greatbatch Limited (Greatbatch Incorporated)
• Inventors: Honebrink, Brian, Fischer, Brian
• Granted Patent: US 8,540,697 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/528
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/015 Details of the distal fixation of the movable mechanical means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0147 with movable mechanical means, e.g. pull wires
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49906 Metal deforming with nonmetallic bonding
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49925 Inward deformation of aperture or hollow body wall

Abstract

A method for making a deflectable catheter includes positioning a flexible element along a catheter liner. A flexible element distal portion extends along at least a portion of a deflectable distal end portion of the catheter liner. At least one anchor is engaged to the flexible element distal portion. The flexible element resides radially between the catheter liner and a band extending at least part way around a perimeter of the liner. An encapsulant, positioned around at least the flexible element distal portion, forms at least a portion of a sidewall of the deflectable distal end portion of the liner. The anchor and band are within the sidewall so that the encapsulant transmits pushing and pulling forces from the at least one anchor to the deflectable distal end portion of the liner.

Claims

1. A catheter, which comprises:

a) a flexible element extending along a catheter liner with a distal portion having a flexible element distal end thereof extending along at least a deflectable distal end portion of the catheter liner;

b) at least one anchor contacted to the flexible element distal portion spaced proximally from the flexible element distal end; and

c) an encapsulant contacting at least the deflectable distal end portion of the catheter liner and the flexible element distal portion including the anchor.

2. The catheter of claim 1 wherein a band contacted to the catheter liner extends at least part way around a perimeter thereof with the flexible element residing radially between the catheter liner and the band.

3. The catheter of claim 2 wherein the band is spaced distally from the at least one anchor.

4. The catheter of claim 1 wherein the encapsulant forms at least a portion of a sidewall of the deflectable distal end portion of the catheter liner and at least the anchor is within the sidewall.

5. The catheter of claim 1 wherein a braided sheath is disposed around the catheter liner, the flexible element and the anchor.

6. The catheter of claim 1 wherein an engaging portion of the anchor is deformed to the flexible element distal portion.

7. The catheter of claim 1 wherein the anchor is crimped to the flexible element distal portion at a plurality of locations.

8. The catheter of claim 1 wherein the anchor comprises at least one flared projection tapering toward an engaged portion the anchor contacting the flexible element.

9. The catheter of claim 8 wherein the flared projection is filled with the encapsulant.

10. A catheter, which comprises:

a) a flexible element positioned along a catheter liner with a distal portion having a flexible element distal end thereof extending along at least a deflectable distal end portion of the catheter liner, wherein the flexible element extends from the deflectable distal end portion toward a proximal end portion of the catheter;

b) an anchor comprising at least one flared projection at at least one of an anchor proximal end and an anchor distal end, wherein an engaging portion of the anchor is contacted to a flexible element distal portion, the flexible element distal portion being at least partially received within the flared projection of the anchor;

c) a band contacted to the catheter liner, the band extending at least part way around a perimeter thereof with the flexible element residing radially between the catheter liner and the band; and

d) an encapsulant contacting the flexible element distal portion and the anchor including its flared projection to thereby form at least a portion of a sidewall of the catheter at a deflectable distal end portion thereof.

11. The catheter of claim 10 wherein the catheter liner includes a delivery lumen.

12. The catheter of claim 10 wherein the encapsulant is provided through a braided sheath positioned around at least the anchor connected to the flexible element distal portion.

13. The catheter of claim. 10 wherein the flared projection of the anchor tapers toward the anchor engaging portion.

14. The catheter of claim 10 wherein the flared projection of the anchor extends annularly away from the flexible element, and includes a conical geometry.

15. The catheter of claim 10 wherein the engaging portion of the anchor is clamped at least part way around the flexible element distal portion.