Embolic containment system with asymmetric frictional control

• US 7,354,445 B2
• Filed: 12/15/2003
• Issued: 04/08/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Vascular, Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Vascular, Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Nicholson, James W., Noone, Michael S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Anhtuan T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TUAN VAN
• Application Number:
  US10/736,411
• Publication Number:
  US 20050131450A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,576 Days
• Field of Search: 606/200, 606/159, 600/585, 600/164.13
• US Class Current: 606/200
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/221 Gripping devices in the form of loops or baskets for gripping calculi or similar types of obstructions surgical snare instruments A61B17/32056
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22042 Details of the tip of the guide wire
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22049 Means for locking the guide wire in the catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2212 having a closed distal end, e.g. a loop
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/011 Instruments for their placement or removal

Abstract

A system for treating a vascular condition, including a hollow guidewire, a core wire inserted through the hollow guidewire, and an embolic containment device. The core wire includes a tapered undulating section carried within the hollow guidewire. The embolic containment device is coupled between a distal end of the hollow guidewire and a distal end of the core wire. The tapered undulating section of the core wire provides frictional control of the embolic containment device based on a direction of core wire translation within the hollow guidewire. A method of treating a vascular condition and a guidewire-based embolic filter system are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A system for treating a vascular condition, the system comprising:

a hollow guidewire;

a core wire inserted through the hollow guidewire, the core wire including a tapered undulating section including a plurality of undulations along an axial portion of the core wire, wherein an amplitude of each consecutive undulation varies with axial distance from a proximal end of the core wire, the plurality of undulations frictionally contacting an inner surface of the hollow guidewire when disposed therein; and

an embolic containment device coupled between a distal end of the hollow guidewire and a distal end of the core wire.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the amplitude of each consecutive undulation increases linearly with distance from the proximal end of the core wire.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the amplitude of each consecutive undulation decreases linearly with distance from the proximal end of the core wire.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the tapered undulating section provides greater friction when the core wire axially translates between a proximal position and a distal position than when the core wire axially translates between the distal position and the proximal position.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the tapered undulating section provides lesser friction when the core wire axially translates between a proximal position and a distal position than when the core wire axially translates between the distal position and the proximal position.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the tapered undulating section of the core wire comprises a crimped set of bends formed in the core wire.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the embolic containment device comprises an embolic filter.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the embolic filter includes a braided wire mesh, and wherein at least a portion of the braided wire mesh is coated with an elastomeric material.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the embolic containment device is actuated to an expanded configuration when the core wire is translated proximally relative to the hollow guidewire.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the embolic containment device is actuated to a contracted configuration when the core wire is translated distally relative to the hollow guidewire.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the embolic containment device comprises an occluder.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the occluder blocks fluid flow through a body vessel when the occluder is actuated, the occluder being actuated by an axial translation of the core wire within the hollow guidewire.

13. The system of claim 1 further comprising;

a coating disposed on at least a portion of the core wire, wherein the coating reduces friction between the coated portions of the core wire and an inner surface of the hollow guidewire.

14. A method of treating a vascular condition, the method comprising:

providing a core wire inserted through a hollow guidewire, the core wire including a tapered undulating section including a plurality of undulations along an axial portion of the core wire, wherein an amplitude of each consecutive undulation varies with axial distance from a proximal end of the core wire, the plurality of undulations frictionally contacting an inner surface of the hollow guidewire when disposed therein;

providing an embolic containment device coupled between a distal end of the hollow guidewire and a distal end of the core wire;

axially translating the core wire in a first direction relative to the hollow guidewire to expand the embolic containment device; and

axially translating the core wire in a second direction relative to the hollow guidewire to contract the embolic containment device.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

capturing embolic material when the embolic containment device is expanded.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the embolic containment device includes one of an embolic filter and an occluder.

17. A guidewire-based embolic containment system comprising:

a hollow guidewire;

a core wire slidably inserted through the hollow guidewire, the core wire including frictional control means disposed within the hollow guidewire such that axial movement of the core wire within the hollow guidewire is easier in a first direction than in a second, opposite direction; and

an embolic containment device coupled between a distal end of the hollow guidewire and a distal end of the core wire.

18. The guidewire-based embolic containment system of claim 17 wherein the axial movement of the core wire within the hollow guidewire is easier in a distal direction than in a proximal direction.

19. The guidewire-based embolic containment system of claim 17 wherein the embolic containment device comprises an embolic filter.