Devices, systems, and methods for subcutaneously placing an article

• US 6,752,827 B2
• Filed: 12/04/2001
• Issued: 06/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Vasca Inc.
• Original Assignee: Vasca Inc.
• Inventors: Ross, John R., Tobul, James R.
• Primary Examiner(s): HO, TAN-UYEN THI
• Application Number:
  US10/006,925
• Publication Number:
  US 20030125789A1
• Time in Patent Office: 931 Days
• Field of Search: 606/108, 606/200, 606/191, 606/198, 623/1.11, 623/1.23
• US Class Current: 623/1.23
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/011 Instruments for their placement or removal
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/95 Instruments specially adapted for placement or removal of stents or stent-grafts

Abstract

A system and method for positioning an article, such as a graft or catheter, in a subcutaneous tunnel between skin and muscle tissue of a patient. The system comprises a tunneling tool, a pair of nested tubes coupleable to a trailing end of the tunnel tool, and a flexible article which can be slidably received within the pair of nested tubes. The nested tubes each have a leading end, a trailing end, and a longitudinal opening.

Claims

1. A system for positioning an article in a subcutaneous tunnel between skin and muscle tissue of a patient, the system comprising:

a tunneling tool having a leading end and a trailing end;

a pair of nested tubes coupled to the tunneling tool at a location adjacent to the trailing end, each tube having a longitudinal opening;

a flexible article which can be slidably received within the pair of nested tubes.

2. A system as in claim 1, wherein the article comprises a catheter or graft.

3. A system as in claim 1, wherein the article is attachable to an artery or vein.

4. A system as in claim 1, wherein the article has a cuff or hood on an end thereof.

5. A system as in claim 1, wherein an external diameter of each tube is slightly smaller than an expanded diameter of the flexible article.

6. A system as in claim 1, wherein an external diameter of the each tube is in the range from about 1 mm to about 45 mm.

7. A system as in claim 1, wherein an expanded diameter of the article is in a range from about 2 mm to about 50 mm.

8. A system as in claim 1, wherein each longitudinal opening subtends a circumferential arc of the tubes in a range from about 20°

to about 190°

.

9. A system as in claim 1, wherein at least one tube is made from a memory alloy material.