Valve loader method, system, and apparatus

• US 8,136,230 B2
• Filed: 10/10/2008
• Issued: 03/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gyrus ACMI, Inc. (Olympus Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Spiration, Inc. (Olympus Corporation)
• Inventors: Adams, Martin Neal, Kutsko, James Mark, O'Connell, Desmond
• Primary Examiner(s): Bryant, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Salone, Bayan
• Application Number:
  US12/249,243
• Publication Number:
  US 20090099530A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,257 Days
• Field of Search: 623/1.11, 623/2.1, 297/18, 292/55, 292/52, 292/70, 292/71, 292/78
• US Class Current: 29/718
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2427 Devices for manipulating or deploying heart valves during implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/95 Instruments specially adapted for placement or removal of stents or stent-grafts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/9517 handle assemblies therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/9522 Means for mounting a stent or stent-graft onto or into a placement instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/9525 using a funnel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/043 Bronchi
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/008 Alarm means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53 Means to assemble or disassemble
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53078 with means to fasten by frictional fitting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5383 having fluid operator
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53843 Tube, sleeve, or ferrule inserting or removing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53909 Means comprising hand manipulatable tool
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53913 Aligner or center
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53943 Hand gripper for direct push or pull

Abstract

A valve loading system is provided that uses a valve loader to transfer a valve or other medical device from a storage cartridge into a deployment catheter. The valve or other medical device can be implanted or positioned within a patient using the catheter after the valve or other medical device has been compressed and loaded into the catheter using the valve loader. The process then can be repeated by using the valve loading system to load or introduce another valve or other medical device into the catheter.

Claims

1. A loading system comprising a valve loader, a deployment apparatus and a cartridge configured to house a deployable medical device, the valve loader comprising an outer housing structure and a first open cavity, the first open cavity configured to receive the cartridge, the cartridge comprising an enclosure with a tapered lumen for compressing the deployable medical device prior to loading into the deployment apparatus, and the housing structure comprising a loading plunger configured to direct the deployable medical device from the cartridge to a discharge end of the housing structure, the discharge end having a second cavity configured to receive a deployment apparatus into which the deployable medical device may be loaded.

2. The loading system of claim 1, wherein the second cavity comprises a funnel-shaped channel positioned between the first open cavity and the discharge end, the funnel-shaped channel configured to permit the passage of the deployable medical device therethrough when the plunger directs the deployable medical device from the cartridge to the discharge end for loading into a deployment apparatus.

3. The loading system of claim 1, wherein the plunger is configured to engage the deployable medical device housed within the cartridge.

4. The loading system of claim 1, wherein the housing structure further comprises a clamp configured to secure the deployment apparatus to the housing structure when loading the deployable medical device into the deployment apparatus.

5. The loading system of claim 1, wherein the housing structure further comprises a lock to prevent undesired release of the deployment apparatus prior to correct loading of the deployable medical device into the deployment apparatus.

6. The loading system of claim 1, wherein the cartridge comprises a stop to signal the user that the loading plunger has traveled to the correct position for completely loading the deployable medical device into the deployment apparatus.

7. The loading system of claim 1, wherein the cartridge comprises a means for providing an audible sound to signal the user that the loading plunger has traveled to the correct position for completely loading the deployable medical device into the deployment apparatus.

8. The loading system of claim 4, wherein the housing structure further comprises a means for providing an audible sound to signal the user that the deployment apparatus has been locked into the housing clamp and that loading may commence.

9. The loading system of claim 1, wherein the housing structure further comprises a safety apparatus to protect the loading plunger from being damaged by improper installation or removal of the at least one interchangeable medical device cartridge within the first open cavity.