Distal Tip Assembly for a Heart Valve Delivery Catheter

• US 20130079872A1
• Filed: 09/28/2011
• Published: 03/28/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic CV Luxembourg SARL (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic CV Luxembourg SARL (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Gallagher, John
• Granted Patent: US 9,554,904 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: A61M 2025/0687 having means for atraumatic insertion in the body or protection of the tip of the sheath during insertion, e.g. special designs of dilators, needles or sheaths
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0074 Dynamic characteristics of the catheter tip, e.g. openable, closable, expandable or deformable
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0082 Catheter tip comprising a tool

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 by 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 catheter for implanting a prosthesis, comprising:

a retaining sleeve defining a hollow cavity for containing a prosthesis, the retaining sleeve having an outer diameter; and

a distal tip assembly configured to move axially relative to the retaining sleeve;

the distal tip assembly having;

a distal portion, and

a proximal portion configured to move between a contracted position having a first outer diameter to an expanded position having a second outer diameter, the second outer diameter being larger than the outer diameter of the retaining sleeve.

2. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the proximal portion comprises a balloon element.

3. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the proximal portion further comprises an interior portion extending proximally from the distal portion, and wherein the balloon element forms a seal with the inner portion.

4. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the proximal portion comprises a biasing member.

5. The catheter of claim 4, wherein the biasing member is a spring.

6. The catheter of claim 5, wherein the proximal portion includes an annular flange extending proximally from the distal portion, the annular flange defining an interior cavity configured to receive the spring.

7. The catheter of claim 6, wherein the spring comprises at least one member that is biased radially outward.

8. The catheter of claim 7, wherein the spring comprises a pair of annular rings having the plurality of leaflets extending between the pair of annular rings.

9. The catheter of claim 7, wherein the spring comprises an annular ring having a plurality of tabs extending proximally from the annular ring.

10. The catheter of claim 5, wherein the spring comprises nitinol.

12. The catheter of claim 5, wherein the spring is over-molded within an outer periphery of the proximal portion.

13. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the distal portion is conical.

14. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the outer profile of the proximal portion is arcuate.

15. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the outer profile of the proximal portion is tapered.

16. A method of implanting a prosthesis, the method comprising:

inserting a retaining sleeve and a distal tip assembly of a catheter assembly into a body lumen, the retaining sleeve being positioned over the prosthesis, the retaining sleeve having an outer diameter, the distal tip assembly having a distal portion and a proximal portion;

expanding an outer diameter of the proximal portion of the distal tip assembly such that the outer diameter of the proximal portion is larger than the outer diameter of the retaining sleeve.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising advancing the distal tip assembly and the retaining sleeve through a body lumen to an implementation site.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the prosthesis is a valve prosthesis for implantation within the heart.

19. The method of claim 16,

wherein the proximal portion comprises a balloon element that forms a cavity, and

wherein expanding the outer diameter of the proximal portion of the distal tip assembly comprises increasing a pressure within the cavity formed by the balloon element.

20. The method of claim 16,

wherein the proximal portion of the distal tip assembly comprises a biasing member, and

wherein expanding the outer diameter of the proximal portion of the distal tip assembly comprises passing the proximal portion past a distal end of an introducer such that the biasing member expands the proximal portion.