Method and system for temporarily supporting a tubular organ

• US 6,413,273 B1
• Filed: 06/10/1999
• Issued: 07/02/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Israel Aerospace Industries Limited (Government of Israel)
• Original Assignee: Israel Aerospace Industries Limited (Government of Israel)
• Inventors: Rueben, Ilia, Hoch, Elisha, Rabinovich, Felix, Kacir, Lior, Baum, Abraham, Schnitzer, Israel
• Primary Examiner(s): Thaler, Michael H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bui, Vy Q.
• Application Number:
  US09/329,839
• Time in Patent Office: 1,118 Days
• Field of Search: 623/1.19, 623/1.18, 623/1.15, 623/1.22, 623/1.3, 606/191, 606/192, 606/198, 606/200, 606/108, 606/194, 606/78, 604/104, 604/105, 604/531, 604/532, 604/280, 604/281, 604/282
• US Class Current: 623/1.19
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/88 the wire-like elements formed as helical or spiral coils forming a net-like or mesh-like structure A61F2/90
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/90 characterised by a net-like or mesh-like structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/92 Stents in the form of a rolled-up sheet expanding after insertion into the vessel , e.g. with a spiral shape in cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/95 Instruments specially adapted for placement or removal of stents or stent-grafts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0023 operated at different temperatures whilst inside or touching the human body, heated or cooled by external energy source or cold supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0008 elliptical or oval
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0034 D-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0076 ellipsoidal or ovoid
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0059 temporary
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0096 being laterally outward extensions or tools, e.g. hooks or fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0068 Static characteristics of the catheter tip, e.g. shape, atraumatic tip, curved tip or tip structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0074 Dynamic characteristics of the catheter tip, e.g. openable, closable, expandable or deformable
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0082 Catheter tip comprising a tool
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/10 Balloon catheters A61M25/0125 takes precedence; embolectomy A61B17/22032; retractors A61B17/02; inflatable balloons for placing stents or stent-grafts A61F2/958 ; stomach balloons for treatment of obesity A61F5/0003; oesophagal tubes A61J15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 29/02 Dilators made of swellable material balloon catheters for angioplasty A61M25/104

Abstract

System and method for opening and temporarily supporting a section of a generally tubular organ, the system includes a dilation catheter, the dilation catheter includes an integrally connected shape memory catheter tip, the shape memory catheter tip, is made of a shape memory alloy, wherein said shape memory catheter tip assumes a first shape at a first temperature and a second shape at a second temperature.

Claims

1. A system for opening and temporarily supporting a portion of a generally tubular organ, comprising, in combination:

a dilation catheter including a shape memory catheter tip which is both (a) integral with said catheter, and (b) incapable of being separated from said catheter during times when the system functions according to its intended purposes,

said shape memory catheter tip including a portion thereof which is formed of a shape memory alloy, and said shape memory catheter tip being further formed with an internal lumen defined by a shape memory wall portion which is impermeable so as to prevent the escape of fluid from said internal lumen through said wall portion;

means for guiding said shape memory catheter tip to a selected location of an organ;

said shape memory catheter tip including means for enabling said tip to assume a first shape at a first temperature and means for causing said tip to assume a second shape at a second temperature, said first shape providing the functional temporary support of said tubular organ, said first temperature being lower than said second temperature, and

wherein relative movement between said tip and said guiding means is possible during use.

2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising:

an energy control unit functionally connected to said shape memory catheter tip for controlling the temperature of said memory catheter tip, and

energy transfer means functionally connected between said energy control unit and said shape memory catheter tip for transferring energy therebetween.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the energy transfer means comprises at least one conduit, and

wherein said temperature control unit comprises means for providing temperature-controlled fluid towards said shape memory catheter tip via said energy transfer means.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein said energy transfer means comprises two concentric conduits.

5. In a system for opening and temporarily supporting a section of a generally tubular organ, the system including a dilation catheter and an inflatable balloon, the dilation catheter including an integrally connected shape memory catheter tip, the shape memory catheter tip, being made of a shape memory alloy, the balloon being inserted within said shape memory catheter tip, a method for operating the system comprising the steps of:

inflating said balloon, thereby increasing the diameter of said shape memory catheter tip;

deflating said balloon, thereby enabling flow of bodily fluids through said shape memory catheter tip,

heating said shape memory catheter tip to a predetermined temperature, thereby moving said shape memory catheter tip to an Austenite state which decreases the diameter of said shape memory catheter tip.

6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of locating said shape memory catheter tip and said balloon in a selected area within a generally tubular organ.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising the step of inserting said shape memory catheter tip and said balloon into the body of the patient.

8. The method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of removing said shape memory catheter tip from said selected area.