Introducer system for medical electrical lead

• US 6,478,777 B1
• Filed: 05/25/2000
• Issued: 11/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Marshall, Mark T., Honeck, Jordon D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Walberg, Teresa
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fastovsky, Leonid M
• Application Number:
  US09/578,977
• Time in Patent Office: 901 Days
• Field of Search: 604/164.01, 604/523, 604/248, 606/140, 606/159, 174/103
• US Class Current: 604/164.01
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0573 chacterised by means penetrating the heart tissue, e.g. helix needle or hook
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2001/0578 having means for removal or extraction

Abstract

An introducer that includes a tubular outer sheath having proximal and distal ends, a tubular inner sheath having proximal and distal ends, rotatably mounted within the outer sheath, and a knob, positioned at the proximal end of the inner sheath, so that the inner sheath is rotatable through the knob. A gripping mechanism is coupled to the distal end of the inner sheath and rotatable with the inner sheath to compressively engage a distal portion of a lead or catheter extending through the inner sheath in response to the rotation of the inner sheath through the knob.

Claims

1. An introducer, comprising:

a tubular outer sheath having proximal and distal ends;

a tubular inner sheath having proximal and distal ends, rotatably mounted within the outer sheath;

a knob, positioned at the proximal end of the inner sheath, the inner sheath being rotatable through the knob; and

a gripping mechanism coupled to the distal end of the inner sheath and rotatable with the inner sheath, the gripping mechanism comprising means for compressively engaging a distal portion of a lead or catheter extending through the inner sheath in response to the rotation of the inner sheath through the knob.

2. The introducer of claim 1 wherein the gripping mechanism comprises a tubular braid.

3. The introducer of claim 2 wherein the inner sheath is slideable proximally within the outer sheath and wherein the tubular braid is rotatable relative to the outer sheath and coupled to a distal portion of the outer sheath.

4. The introducer of claim 3 wherein the tubular braid is coupled to the distal end of the outer sheath by means of a ring member rotatably mounted at the distal end of the outer sheath.

5. The introducer of claim 1 wherein the gripping mechanism comprises a helical coil.

6. The introducer of claim 5 wherein the inner sheath is slideable proximally within the outer sheath and wherein the helical coil is rotatable relative to the outer sheath and coupled to a distal portion of the outer sheath.

7. The introducer of claim 6 wherein the helical coil is coupled to the distal end of the outer sheath by means of a ring member rotatably mounted at the distal end of the outer sheath.

8. The introducer of claim 1 wherein the gripping mechanism comprises a helically wound strand.

9. The introducer of claim 8 wherein the helically wound strand is rotatable relative to the outer sheath and coupled to a distal portion of the outer sheath.

10. The introducer of claim 9 wherein the helically wound strand is coupled to the distal end of the outer sheath by means of a ring member rotatably mounted at the distal end of the outer sheath.

11. The introducer of claim 8 or claim 9 or claim 10 wherein the gripping mechanism comprises two oppositely wound helical strands.

12. The introducer of claim 1 wherein the gripping mechanism comprises a ramped member and a slidable collett to engage the ramped member.

13. The introducer of claim 12 wherein the inner sheath is slideable distally within the outer sheath and wherein the collett is rotatable relative to the outer sheath and the ramped member is located distal to the collett.

14. The introducer of claim 13, wherein the ramped member is a ring member rotatably mounted at the distal end of the outer sheath.

15. The introducer of claim 2 wherein the tubular braid is embedded in a polymeric matrix.

16. The introducer of claim 1 wherein the outer sheath is a multi-lumen tube.

17. The introducer of claim 16, and further includes a stylet inserted into one of the lumens of the outer sheath.

18. The introducer of claim 17 wherein the stylet has a curved configuration to modify the curvature of the introducer.

19. The introducer of claim 1, and further including an inner polymeric sleeve coupled to the inner sheath.

20. The introducer of claim 1 wherein the gripping mechanism includes slittable luer fitting.