Rapid exchange guidewire loading attachment

• US 5,357,978 A
• Filed: 01/12/1993
• Issued: 10/25/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: DIANNE M.F. PLUNKETT -- MS301 MEDTRONIC, INC.
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Turk, Peter I. C.
• Primary Examiner(s): HINDENBURG, MAX F
• Application Number:
  US08/003,356
• Time in Patent Office: 651 Days
• Field of Search: 128/10, 128/11, 128/17, 128/18, 128/657, 128/772
• US Class Current: 600/585
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22001 Angioplasty, e.g. PCTA
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0183 Rapid exchange or monorail catheters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/09041 Mechanisms for insertion of guide wires
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/104 used for angioplasty

Abstract

The disclosed device relates to over-the-wire PTCA balloon catheters (5), and more particularly, to a rapid exchange catheter (5) for dilatation therapy. The rapid exchange medical catheter (5) has a wire guiding means external to the shaft (35) for slidably mounting over the guidewire (70), the wire guiding means being at least two loops (15) and having a guidewire loading attachment (20) between each pair of loops. The guidewire loading attachment consists of a snap ring (45) depending from a tubular member (55) defining a guidewire lumen (50). The guidewire loading attachment (20) snaps on to the shaft (35) through a slot (60) in the loading attachment (20), the slot (60) having a diameter less than that of the shaft (35) resulting in a compression fit. The loading attachment (20) is removed after loading the guidewire (70).

Claims

1. A catheter comprising:

an elongated shaft having a proximal end and a distal end;

a therapy means for providing medical treatment, the therapy means being mounted generally adjacent to the distal end of the shaft;

a wire guiding means mounted external to the shaft for slidably mounting over a guidewire, the wire guiding means being at least two loops; and

a guidewire loading attachment extending between each pair of loops to facilitate loading of the guidewire into said wire guiding means, the loading attachment comprising;

a snap ring depending from a tubular member defining a guidewire lumen and

a slot in the snap ring, the slot having a width less than the diameter of the shaft to enable a compression fit of the snap ring upon the shaft.

2. The catheter of claim 1 wherein the guidewire loading attachment materials consist of biocompatible materials which are flexible yet semi-stiff.

3. The catheter of claim 2 wherein the guidewire loading attachment materials consist of polymers.

4. The catheter of claim 3 wherein the guidewire loading attachment materials consist of polyethylene or polypropylene.

5. A catheter according to claim 1 wherein the therapy means is an balloon.

6. A method of inserting a catheter on a guidewire comprising:

providing a catheter with an angioplasty balloon having at least two guidewire loops, the first loop proximal to the second loop and a guidewire loading attachment between each pair of loops, the loading attachment comprising a snap ring depending from a tubular member defining a guidewire lumen and a slot in the snap ring, the slot having a length less than the diameter of the shaft to enable a compression fit of the snap ring upon the shaft;

inserting the guidewire through the first loop, then through the loading attachment, then through the second loop and finally through any successive pairs of loops and loading attachments;

removing all guidewire loading attachment(s);

inserting the catheter and guidewire in a human body; and

allowing the catheter to be withdrawn over the loops while maintaining access to a vessel being treated by keeping the guidewire in place in the vessel.

7. A catheter comprising:

an elongated shaft having a proximal end and a distal end;

a wire guiding means mounted external to the shaft for slidably mounting over a guidewire, the wire guiding means being at least two loops; and

a guidewire loading attachment extending between each pair of loops, to facilitate loading of the guidewire into said wire guiding means the loading attachment comprising;

a snap ring depending from a tubular member defining a guidewire lumen and

a slot in the snap ring, the slot having a width less than the diameter of the shaft to enable a compression fit of the snap ring upon the shaft. guidewire, the wire guiding means being at least two loops; and

a guidewire loading attachment extending between each pair of loops to facilitate loading of the guidewire into said wire guiding means, the loading attachment comprising;

a snap ring depending from a tubular member defining a guidewire lumen and

a slot in the snap ring, the slot having a width less than the diameter of the shaft to enable a compression fit of the snap ring upon the shaft.