Systems and methods for medical device advancement and rotation

• US 8,114,032 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2009
• Issued: 02/14/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Stereotaxis, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Stereotaxis, Inc.
• Inventors: Ferry, Steven J., Finney, Jennifer R., Habeger, Cam, Hackenmueller, Vincent, Hall, Andrew F., Houge, Reed A., Klimek, Scott G., Pikus, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hindenburg, Max
• Assistant Examiner(s): DOUGHERTY, SEAN PATRICK
• Application Number:
  US12/643,357
• Publication Number:
  US 20100305502A1
• Time in Patent Office: 785 Days
• Field of Search: 600433-435, 600/585, 604/95.01, 604/164.13, 604/165.01, 604/165.02, 604/165.04, 604/510, 604/523, 604/533, 606/1, 606/108
• US Class Current: 600/585
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00133 Drive units for endoscopic tools inserted through or with the endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/01 Guiding arrangements therefore
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/22 Implements for squeezing-off ulcers or the like on the inside of inner organs of the body; Implements for scraping-out cavities of body organs, e.g. bones; Calculus removers; Calculus smashing apparatus; Apparatus for removing obstructions in blood vessels, not otherwise provided for dilators A61M29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3403 Needle locating or guiding means guides for suture needles A61B17/0482; guiding or tracking by nuclear magnetic resonance G01R33/285
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22075 with motorized advancing or retracting means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3409 including needle or instrument drives
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/571 for clamping a support arm to a bed or other supports
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/50 Supports for surgical instruments, e.g. articulated arms
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0113 Mechanical advancing means, e.g. catheter dispensers

Abstract

A system for moving an elongate medical device has at least one drive element for engaging and moving an elongate medical device. Various embodiments provide for moving the separate inner and outer elements of a telescoping medical device. Some systems also provide for the rotation of a rotatable distal element on a rotatable medical device or the rotation of extension element in a telescoping medical device.

Claims

1. A drive unit for remotely controlling a motion of a catheter and associated sheath, the drive unit comprising:

first and second motion systems having first and second supports;

a catheter mover for engaging a catheter, mounted on the second support;

a sheath mover for engaging a sheath that surrounds the catheter, mounted on the second support, the sheath mover being movable to advance and retract the sheath; and

a roller being rotatable;

the catheter mover and sheath mover being movable relative to the supports for coordinated advancement and retraction of the catheter and sheath;

the catheter mover being movable relative to the sheath mover for advancement and retraction of the catheter relative to the sheath, and the roller being rotatable for rotation of the sheath.

2. The drive unit according to claim 1 further comprising a catheter roller on the catheter mover, the catheter roller being rotatable to rotate the catheter.

3. The drive unit according to claim 1, wherein the catheter mover comprises at least one drive wheel and the sheath mover comprises at least one drive wheel.

4. The drive unit according to claim 3, wherein the catheter mover and sheath mover further comprise a second wheel.

5. The drive unit according to claim 1, wherein the catheter mover and sheath mover further include a smooth support along which the catheter and sheath slide.

6. The drive unit according to claim 1, wherein the sheath and catheter comprise an outer sheath that surrounds an inner catheter, and the roller is configured to rotate the inner catheter and outer sheath.

7. The drive unit according to claim 6, wherein the sheath mover engages the outer sheath sufficiently to cause the outer sheath to frictionally engage the inner catheter so that the sheath mover can drive both the sheath and catheter.

8. The drive unit according to claim 7, wherein the catheter mover engages the catheter sufficiently to overcome a friction between the inner catheter and outer sheath to drive the inner catheter independently of the sheath.

9. The drive according to claim 8, wherein the sheath mover retains the outer sheath in position when advancing the inner catheter.

10. The device unit according to claim 8, further comprising a base on which the first and second motion systems are disposed.