SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DEFLECTING A DELIVERY CATHETER

• US 20170035567A1
• Filed: 08/07/2015
• Published: 02/09/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Vascular, Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Vascular, Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Duffy, Niall
• Granted Patent: US 10,154,905 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2436 Deployment by retracting a sheath
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/966 with relative longitudinal movement between outer sleeve and prosthesis, e.g. using a push rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/9623 the sleeve being reinforced
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0018 differing in elasticity, stiffness or compressibility
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0029 differing in bending or flexure capacity
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/015 Details of the distal fixation of the movable mechanical means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0052 Localized reinforcement, e.g. where only a specific part of the catheter is reinforced, for rapid exchange guidewire port
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/008 Strength or flexibility characteristics of the catheter tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0141 having flexible regions as a result of using materials with different mechanical properties
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0144 having flexible regions as a result of inner reinforcement means, e.g. struts or rods
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0147 with movable mechanical means, e.g. pull wires

Abstract

Distal tips for use with delivery catheters are disclosed that are configured to facilitate deflection of the catheters as they are advanced through the vasculature to a desired treatment site. Distal tips so configured realize one or more of the objectives of safer, more accurate steering of the catheter through the vasculature.

Claims

1. A catheter comprising:

a sheath component having a distal edge; and

a tip disposed distal of the sheath component, the tip having a proximally-extending projection,

wherein when the sheath component is distally advanced against the tip, the distal edge of the sheath component engages the proximally-extending projection of the tip causing deflection of at least a portion of the catheter.

2. The catheter of claim 1, wherein a circumferential segment of a proximal end of the tip forms the projection.

3. The catheter of claim 2, wherein the circumferential segment extends around less than one third of a circumference of the proximal end of the tip.

4. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the projection is a circumferential segment of a proximal end of the tip component that extends from a remainder of the proximal end of the tip.

5. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the sheath component includes a capsule segment configured for holding a prosthesis in a compressed configuration therein, and wherein the capsule segment defines the distal edge of the sheath component.

6. The catheter of claim 5, wherein the capsule segment has a tubular shape with a pair of longitudinally-extending supports embedded in a wall thereof at diametrically opposed locations.

7. The catheter of claim 6, wherein the distal edge of the capsule segment engages with the proximally-extending projection at a point that is midway between the pair of longitudinally-extending supports.

8. A catheter comprising:

an elongate tubular component with a capsule segment forming a distal portion thereof, the capsule segment being configured for holding a prosthesis in a compressed configuration therein; and

an inner component that slidably extends within the elongate tubular component, the inner component having a prosthesis retainer that is disposed within the capsule segment, the prosthesis retainer having a proximally-extending projection,

wherein when the elongate tubular component is distally advanced relative to the inner component, the capsule segment engages with the proximally-extending projection of the prosthesis retainer causing deflection of at least a portion of the catheter.

9. The catheter of claim 8, further comprising:

a tip attached to a distal end of the inner component that mates with a distal edge of the capsule segment, wherein the prosthesis retainer is proximally spaced from the tip.

10. The catheter of claim 8, wherein the projection is a circumferential segment of a proximal end of the prosthesis retainer that extends from a remainder thereof.

11. The catheter of claim 8, wherein the prosthesis retainer is spaced from a distally-facing inner surface of the capsule segment by the projection when the catheter is in a delivery configuration.

12. The catheter of claim 11, wherein the distally-facing inner surface of the capsule segment engages with the proximally-extending projection when the elongate tubular component is distally advanced relative to the inner component.

13. A catheter comprising:

a sheath component having a distal edge; and

a tip disposed distal of the sheath component, the tip having a first portion formed from a compressible material and a second portion formed from an incompressible material,

wherein when the sheath component is distally advanced against the tip, the first portion of the tip compresses while the second portion retains its shape to thereby cause deflection of at least a portion of the catheter.

14. The catheter of claim 13, wherein the first and second portions form first and second longitudinally-extending sections of the tip.

15. The catheter of claim 14, wherein the first and second longitudinally-extending sections extend from a proximal end to a distal end of the tip.

16. The catheter of claim 15, wherein the first longitudinally-extending section comprises more than 50% of the tip.

17. The catheter of claim 15, wherein the first and second longitudinally-extending sections taper toward the distal end of the tip to provide an atraumatic profile thereto.

18. The catheter of claim 13, wherein the compressible material is a low durometer polyether block amide.

19. The catheter of claim 18, wherein the incompressible material is a high durometer polyether block amide.

20. The catheter of claim 13, wherein the sheath component includes a capsule segment configured for holding a prosthesis in a compressed configuration therein.