SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR VARIABLE INJECTION FLOW

• US 20130110099A1
• Filed: 11/21/2011
• Published: 05/02/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic CryoCath LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic CryoCath LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: LALONDE, Jean-Pierre, LASKE, Timothy G., SABBAGHE-KERMANI, Ramin, GROVES, Regina E., LUECKGE, Claudia, WITTENBERGER, Dan, SERAJ, Mahmoud Kabir
• Granted Patent: US 9,314,588 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/21
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/02 by cooling, e.g. cryogenic techniques devices for cooling specific reflex points of the body within cell-life limits A61H39/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/0218 with open-end cryogenic probe, e.g. for spraying fluid directly on tissue or via a tissue-contacting porous tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00023 closed, i.e. without wound contact by the fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00095 high, i.e. heat conducting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00101 low, i.e. thermally insulating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00202 rotating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0022 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0212 using an instrument inserted into a body lumen, e.g. catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0262 using a circulating cryogenic fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0268 with restriction of flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0025 having a collapsible lumen
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0079 Separate user-activated means, e.g. guidewires, guide tubes, balloon catheters or sheaths, for sealing off an orifice, e.g. a lumen or side holes, of a catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0175 having telescopic features, interengaging nestable members movable in relations to one another
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0029 characterized by features relating to least one lumen located at the middle part of the catheter, e.g. slots, flaps, valves, cuffs, apertures, notches, grooves or rapid exchange ports catheter shaft surface irregularities A61M2025/006
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/007 Side holes, e.g. their profiles or arrangements; Provisions to keep side holes unblocked
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/22 Valves or arrangement of valves A61M39/02, A61M39/0247, A61M39/16 take precedence; regulating valves in infusion systems A61M5/16881; in devices worn by the patient for the reception of urine, faeces, catamenial or other discharge, or in colostomy devices A61F5/4405
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/28 Clamping means for squeezing flexible tubes, e.g. roller clamps tube strippers A61M1/83
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0318 Processes

Abstract

Systems and methods for controllably variable fluid flow are disclosed that provide the ability to modify the effective cross-sectional area of the fluid delivery conduit available for fluid flow. Accordingly, selective control of these configurations allows fluid flow to be regulated as desired while the fluid delivery pressure remains the same. Additional configurations provided herein allow for the selective manipulation of a footprint or therapeutic pattern achievable with the medical device during a single procedure, negating the need for the removal and insertion of multiple devices to achieve the same variations in treatment geometry or characteristics.

Claims

1. A medical device, comprising:

a catheter body defining a distal portion;

a fluid delivery conduit defining an outlet in the distal portion of the catheter body,

an elongate member movably disposed within at least a portion of the fluid delivery conduit to selectively obstruct a portion of the fluid delivery conduit to modulate fluid flow through the outlet.

2. The medical device of claim 1, further defining a fluid exhaust lumen within the catheter body.

3. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the fluid delivery conduit defines a tapered diameter, and the elongate member is longitudinally movable with respect to the tapered diameter.

4. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the elongate member includes a plug movably positionable about the outlet.

5. The medical device of claim 4, wherein the plug has a tapered cross-section.

6. The medical device of claim 4, wherein the plug is substantially spherical.

7. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the elongate member is constructed from a shape memory material.

8. The medical device of claim 7, wherein the shape memory material transitions in response to a thermal load.

9. The medical device of claim 7, wherein the shape memory material transitions in response to an electrical load.

10. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the fluid delivery conduit defines a plurality of outlets in the distal portion, and the elongate member is movable to selectively obstruct the plurality of outlets.

11. The medical device of claim 1, further comprising a cryogenic fluid source in fluid communication with at least one of the fluid delivery conduit or elongate member.

12. A method of regulating fluid flow through a catheter, comprising:

delivering a fluid to a fluid delivery conduit disposed within a portion of the catheter; and

moving a rod within a portion of the fluid delivery conduit to at least partially obstruct a portion of the fluid delivery conduit to regulate fluid flowing therethrough.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the fluid delivery conduit defines a tapered section, and moving the rod includes moving the rod with respect to the tapered section.

14. A medical device, comprising:

an elongate body defining a distal portion; and

a unitary distal insert coupled to the distal portion, the distal insert defining;

a first lumen extending therethrough,

a second lumen coaxial with the first lumen, and

a plurality of openings in fluid communication with the second lumen.

15. The medical device of claim 27, wherein the unitary distal insert defines a collar and the medical device includes a steering element coupled to the collar.

16. The medical device of claim 27, further comprising a thermally-transmissive region substantially enclosing the distal insert.

17. The medical device of claim 27, further comprising a rod movably positionable with a portion of the first lumen.