Radially expandable fixation member constructed of recovery metal
First Claim
1. An apparatus for fixation in a body cavity, including:
- an elongate bodily insertable device having a proximal end region and a distal end region;
a fixation element at the distal end region of the device, said fixation element being constructed of a recovery metal initially set in a radially expanded configuration in which the fixation element has a fixation diameter, and then plastically deformed into a delivery configuration in which the fixation element has a delivery diameter substantially less than the fixation diameter;
wherein said device is bodily insertable to selectively position the fixation element at a predetermined location within a body cavity with the fixation element in the delivery configuration; and
said fixation element, responsive to being heated, reverts to the fixation configuration thereby radially expanding into a surface engagement with a tissue wall segment defining said cavity at a predetermined location, to secure the fixation element to the wall segment and thus substantially fix the distal region of the device within the body cavity; and
wherein said device comprises a retrieval filament constructed of the recovery metal.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An open weave fixation device is secured to a distal end region of a catheter or other diagnostic or treatment device, for either temporarily or permanently fixing the device within a body cavity. In one approach, the fixation element is constructed of braided, helically wound filaments of resilient stainless steel. A sheath surrounds the catheter and fixation element to elastically deform the element into a reduced radius configuration to facilitate insertion and deployment. With the fixation element positioned as desired, the sheath is withdrawn to permit the fixation element to self-expand against body tissue, thus to secure the fixation element and catheter. In an alternative arrangement, a dilatation balloon surrounds a catheter near its distal end, and in turn is surrounded by a plastically deformable fixation element. Following desired positioning, the balloon is dilated to permanently deform the fixation element into contact with body tissue. In either case, the fixation element can be mounted at its distal end, its proximal end or medially, depending upon the particular treatment and the expected duration of fixation. Another approach employs a recovery metal in the fixation element.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An apparatus for fixation in a body cavity, including:
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an elongate bodily insertable device having a proximal end region and a distal end region; a fixation element at the distal end region of the device, said fixation element being constructed of a recovery metal initially set in a radially expanded configuration in which the fixation element has a fixation diameter, and then plastically deformed into a delivery configuration in which the fixation element has a delivery diameter substantially less than the fixation diameter; wherein said device is bodily insertable to selectively position the fixation element at a predetermined location within a body cavity with the fixation element in the delivery configuration; and
said fixation element, responsive to being heated, reverts to the fixation configuration thereby radially expanding into a surface engagement with a tissue wall segment defining said cavity at a predetermined location, to secure the fixation element to the wall segment and thus substantially fix the distal region of the device within the body cavity; andwherein said device comprises a retrieval filament constructed of the recovery metal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An apparatus for fixation in a body cavity, including:
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an elongate bodily insertable device having a proximal end region and a distal end region; a fixation element at the distal end region of the device, said fixation element being constructed of a recovery metal initially set in a radially expanded configuration in which the fixation element has a fixation diameter, and then plastically deformed into a delivery configuration in which the fixation element has a delivery diameter substantially less than the fixation diameter; wherein said device is bodily insertable to selectively position the fixation element at a predetermined location within a body cavity with the fixation element in the delivery configuration; and
said fixation element, responsive to being heated, reverts to the fixation configuration thereby radially expanding into a surface engagement with a tissue wall segment defining said cavity at a predetermined location, to secure the fixation element to the wall segment and thus substantially fix the distal region of the device within the body cavity; anda removing means for removing the fixation element from the predetermined location, following said radial expansion into surface engagement with the tissue wall segment, said removing means including an elongate sheath having a lumen for containing the device and the fixation element, said lumen having a diameter larger than the delivery diameter and substantially less than the fixation diameter. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification