Over the wire single operator catheter with wire stabilizer

• US 5,951,568 A
• Filed: 03/19/1998
• Issued: 09/14/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Richard A. Schatz
• Original Assignee: Richard A. Schatz
• Inventors: Schatz, Richard A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Buiz, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGO, LIEN M
• Application Number:
  US09/045,154
• Time in Patent Office: 544 Days
• Field of Search: 606/108, 606/194, 606/205, 604/96, 604/102, 604/101, 604/103, 604/104, 604/106, 604/198, 604/920, 604/915, 604/164, 604/165, 604/77, 604/99, 604/100, 604/280, 600/585
• US Class Current: 606/108
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/01 Introducing, guiding, advancing, emplacing or holding catheters A61M25/10 takes precedence

Abstract

An over-the-wire catheter includes a catheter that is formed with a lumen for receiving a guidewire therethrough. A slit, which is formed along the guidewire lumen to provide external access into the lumen, extends at least part way along the length of the catheter. A connector, which is formed with an orifice for receiving the catheter therethrough, also includes a grip. In operation, the guidewire is pre-positioned as desired. An end of the guidewire is then passed through the orifice of the connector and is inserted into the guidewire lumen of the catheter. The distal end of the catheter is then inserted over the wire and through the orifice of the connector. Next, the grip on the connector is inserted through the slit and into the guidewire lumen for fixed engagement with the guidewire. The catheter is then advanced through the orifice of the connector and over the guidewire. As the catheter is advanced, the grip slides along the slit of the catheter lumen to maintain a fixed relationship between the guidewire and the connector.

Claims

1. A catheter advanceable over an in situ guidewire which comprises:

a catheter formed with a lumen for receiving the guidewire therein, said catheter being formed with a longitudinal slit oriented along said lumen of said catheter to provide external access to said guidewire in said lumen through said slit; and

a connector means slidingly attached to said catheter for movement thereon and engageable with the guidewire through said slit to fixedly hold the guidewire to said connector means as said catheter is advanced along the guidewire.

2. A catheter as recited in claim 1 wherein said connector means comprises:

a connector body formed with an orifice for receiving said catheter therethrough;

a stabilizer arm hingedly mounted on said connector body; and

a grip attached to said stabilizer arm for selective insertion through said slit and into said lumen of said catheter for engagement with said guidewire to fixedly hold said guidewire to said connector body as said catheter is advanced through said orifice of said connector body and along said guidewire.

3. A catheter as recited in claim 2 wherein said catheter is formed with an inflatable balloon and an inflation lumen, and said device further comprises a pump connected in fluid communication with said inflation lumen for inflating said balloon.

4. A catheter as recited in claim 2 wherein said catheter has a distal end and a proximal end and wherein said slit terminates at a first distance from said distal end and at a second distance from said proximal end and wherein said stabilizer arm is connected with said connector body by an integral hinge.

5. A device as recited in claim 2 wherein said grip is a magnet, said magnet being magnetically secured to said guidewire when said grip is engaged therewith.

6. A device as recited in claim 2 wherein said grip is a snap formed with a pair of substantially parallel legs extending from said stabilizer arm, said legs being distanced from each other to establish a gap therebetween with said gap being dimensioned to create a fixed interference fit with said guidewire when said grip is engaged therewith.

7. A medical device which comprises:

a guidewire;

a catheter formed with a lumen for receiving said guidewire therethrough, said catheter being formed with a longitudinal slit oriented along said lumen of said catheter to provide external access into said lumen through said slit;

a connector formed with an orifice for receiving said catheter and being slidingly mounted on said catheter for movement thereon;

a stabilizer arm hingedly mounted on said connector; and

a grip attached to said stabilizer arm for selective insertion through said slit and into said lumen of said catheter for engagement with said guidewire to fixedly hold said guidewire to said connector as said catheter is advanced through said orifice of said connector body and along said guidewire.

8. A device as recited in claim 7 wherein said catheter is formed with an inflatable balloon and an inflation lumen, and said device further comprises a pump connected in fluid communication with said inflation lumen for inflating said balloon.

9. A device as recited in claim 7 wherein said catheter has a distal end and a proximal end and wherein said slit terminates at a first distance from said distal end and at a second distance from said proximal end.

10. A device as recited in claim 7 wherein said connector includes a connector body and said stabilizer arm is connected with said connector body by an integral hinge.

11. A device as recited in claim 7 wherein said grip is a magnet, said magnet being magnetically secured to said guidewire when said grip is engaged therewith.

12. A device as recited in claim 7 wherein said grip is a snap formed with a pair of substantially parallel legs extending from said stabilizer arm, said legs being distanced from each other to establish a gap therebetween with said gap being dimensioned to create a fixed interference fit with said guidewire when said grip is engaged therewith.

13. A method for using a device which includes a catheter having a distal end and a proximal end and formed with a lumen, said catheter having a longitudinal slit oriented on the catheter along the lumen to provide external access thereto through the slit, a connector formed with an orifice and being slidingly mounted on said catheter for movement thereon, and having a grip hingedly mounted thereon, the method which comprises the steps of:

positioning a guidewire in situ;

placing the connector body over the guidewire with the guidewire passing through the orifice of the connector;

introducing the guidewire into the lumen of the catheter;

moving the distal end of the catheter over the guidewire and through the orifice of the connector;

selectively inserting the grip through the slit of the catheter for engagement of the grip with the guidewire to fixedly hold the guidewire to the connector; and

advancing the catheter along the guidewire.

14. A method as recited in claim 13 wherein said catheter is formed with an inflatable balloon and an inflation lumen, and said device further comprises a pump connected in fluid communication with said inflation lumen for inflating said balloon.

15. A method as recited in claim 13 wherein said slit terminates at a first distance from said distal end and at a second distance from said proximal end.

16. A method as recited in claim 13 wherein said grip is a magnet, said magnet being magnetically secured to said guidewire when said grip is engaged therewith.

17. A device as recited in claim 13 wherein said grip is a snap formed with a pair of substantially parallel legs extending from said stabilizer arm, said legs being distanced from each other to establish a gap therebetween with said gap being dimensioned to create a fixed interference fit with said guidewire when said grip is engaged therewith.

18. A catheter advanceable over an in situ guidewire which comprises:

a catheter formed with a lumen for receiving the guidewire therein, said catheter being formed with a longitudinal slit oriented along said lumen of said catheter to provide external access to said guidewire in said lumen through said slit;

a connector body formed with an orifice for receiving said catheter therethrough and being slidingly attached to said catheter for movement thereon;

a stabilizer arm hingedly mounted on said connector body; and

a magnet attached to said stabilizer arm for selective insertion through said slit and into said lumen of said catheter for engagement with said guidewire to fixedly hold said guidewire to said connector body as said catheter is advanced through said orifice of said connector body and along said guidewire, said magnet being magnetically secured to said guidewire when engaged therewith.