Rotate-to-advance catheterization system

• US 8,366,674 B2
• Filed: 08/24/2010
• Issued: 02/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Olympus Endo Technology America Inc. (Olympus Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Olympus Endo Technology America Inc. (Olympus Corporation)
• Inventors: Frassica, James J., Ailinger, Robert E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lucchesi, Nicholas
• Assistant Examiner(s): MEDWAY, SCOTT J
• Application Number:
  US12/806,905
• Publication Number:
  US 20110307069A1
• Time in Patent Office: 896 Days
• Field of Search: 604/264, 604/508, 604/510, 604/280, 604/22, 604/200, 604/43, 604/41, 604/45, 604/50, 604/346, 604/349, 604/95, 604/103.01, 604/103.08, 604/103.09, 604/544, 604/159, 604/180, 600/109, 600/129, 600/139, 600/101, 600/103, 600/105, 600/112, 600/114, 128/349, 606/159
• US Class Current: 604/165.04
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0008 characterised by distal tip features
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00148 using anchoring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00154 using guiding arrangements for insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0016 using motor drive units
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/015 Control of fluid supply or evacuation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/042 characterised by a proximal camera, e.g. a CCD camera
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/273 for the upper alimentary canal, e.g. oesophagoscopes, gastroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/307 for the urinary organs, e.g. urethroscopes, cystoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00685 Archimedes screw
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/349 Trocar with thread on outside
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/361 Image-producing devices, e.g. surgical cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0009 placed in or outside the body opening close to the surface of the body plugging an opening in the wall of a hollow or tubular organ A61B17/0057
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/88 the wire-like elements formed as helical or spiral coils forming a net-like or mesh-like structure A61F2/90
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/94 Stents retaining their form, i.e. not being deformable, after placement in the predetermined place
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/006 having a special surface topography or special surface properties, e.g. roughened or knurled surface
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0191 Suprapubic catheters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/1086 having a special balloon surface topography, e.g. pores, protuberances, spikes or grooves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0017 specially adapted for long-term hygiene care, e.g. urethral or indwelling catheters to prevent infections
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0021 characterised by the form of the tubing A61M25/0054 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0026 Multi-lumen catheters with stationary elements catheter assemblies comprising a catheter in combination with a guide tube, sheath or sleeve A61M2025/0681; catheters comprising telescoping coaxial elements A61M2025/0175
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0043 : characterised by structural features
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0052 : Localized reinforcement, e.g. where only a specific part of the catheter is reinforced, for rapid exchange guidewire port
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0068 : Static characteristics of the catheter tip, e.g. shape, atraumatic tip, curved tip or tip structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/007 : Side holes, e.g. their profiles or arrangements; Provisions to keep side holes unblocked
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0075 : Valve means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/01 : Introducing, guiding, advancing, emplacing or holding catheters A61M25/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0102 : Insertion or introduction using an inner stiffening member, e.g. stylet or push-rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0105 : Steering means as part of the catheter or advancing means; Markers for positioning systems for detection of markers A61B
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0108 : using radio-opaque or ultrasound markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/04 : in the body, e.g. expansible A61M25/10, A61M16/0488 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/10 : Balloon catheters A61M25/0125 takes precedence; embolectomy A61B17/22032; retractors A61B17/02; inflatable balloons for placing stents or stent-grafts A61F2/958 ; stomach balloons for treatment of obesity A61F5/0003; oesophagal tubes A61J15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/1002 : characterised by balloon shape A61M25/1006, A61M25/1009 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 27/008 : pre-shaped, for use in the urethral or ureteral tract

Abstract

Apparatus for accessing a bodily passageway, the apparatus comprising:

• • a flexible tube having a distal end and a proximal end, a longitudinal axis extending between the distal end and the proximal end, and a lumen extending from the distal end to the proximal end, the lumen being sized to receive matter to be transported through the bodily passageway; and
  • an external thread disposed over the distal end of the tube, the external thread having a sufficient structural integrity, and a sufficient surface profile, such that when the tube is disposed in a bodily passageway, rotation of the tube about the longitudinal axis will result in longitudinal motion of the tube along said bodily passageway.

Claims

1. A threaded introducer system for accessing a bodily passageway, the introducer system comprising:

a flexible tube having a distal end and a proximal end, a longitudinal axis extending between the distal end and the proximal end, and a lumen extending from the distal end to the proximal end, the lumen being sized to receive an object to be transported through the bodily passageway;

apparatus for connecting the object received within the lumen to the tube, the apparatus comprising a rotary coupling portion attached to the tube such that the rotary coupling portion may rotate freely about the longitudinal axis of the tube while being longitudinally fixed to the tube, and an attachment portion mounted to the tube such that the attachment portion selectively grips the object; and

an external thread disposed over the distal end of the tube, the external thread having a sufficient structural integrity, and a sufficient surface profile, such that when the tube is disposed in a bodily passageway, rotation of the tube about the longitudinal axis will result in longitudinal motion of the tube along said bodily passageway.

2. A threaded introducer system according to claim 1 wherein the external thread has a variable thread height.

3. A threaded introducer system according to claim 2 wherein the thread height tapers along at least a portion of the length of the tube.

4. A threaded introducer system according to claim 1 wherein the external thread is interrupted along at least a portion of the length of the tube.

5. A threaded introducer system according to claim 4 wherein the interrupted external thread is arranged in a series of thread segments.

6. A threaded introducer system according to claim 1 wherein the external thread comprises at least two different thread pitches along at least a portion of the length of the tube.

7. A threaded introducer system according to claim 1 wherein the external thread comprises protrusions.

8. A threaded introducer system according to claim 7 wherein the protrusions are encapsulated within bioabsorbable material.

9. A threaded introducer system according to claim 7 wherein the protrusions are encapsulated within temporary material.

10. A threaded introducer system according to claim 1 wherein the external thread comprises recesses.

11. A threaded introducer system according to claim 10 wherein the recesses are encapsulated within bioabsorbable material.

12. A threaded introducer system according to claim 10 wherein the recesses are encapsulated within temporary material.

13. A threaded introducer system according to claim 1 wherein the external thread comprises at least one of the group consisting of polyurethane, medical grade stainless steel, silicone, bicarbon, polytetrafluoroethylene, tantalum, titanium and/or nickel-titanium alloy.

14. A threaded introducer system according to claim 1 wherein the external thread comprises bioabsorbable material.

15. A threaded introducer system according to claim 1 wherein the external thread comprises at least two different materials.

16. A threaded introducer system according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus further comprises a retrieval device.

17. A threaded introducer system according to claim 1 wherein the tube includes at least one from the group consisting of a J-shape, a balloon or protrusion at the distal end of the tube.

18. A threaded introducer system according to claim 1 wherein the tube includes at least one protrusion that is exposed by one of the group consisting of swelling, liquid absorption, heat, stored energy, electric/electrical signal or ablation.

19. A threaded introducer system according to claim 18 wherein the tube includes a tether.

20. A threaded introducer system according to claim 1 wherein the rotary coupling portion further comprises a plurality of lock fingers that flex to receive longitudinal advancement of the tube into the rotary coupling portion, but prevent withdrawal therefrom, and permit the tube to rotate relative to the rotary coupling portion.

21. A threaded introducer system according to claim 1 wherein the attachment portion comprises a plurality of flexible collet fingers, and a nut that threadingly engages the collet fingers.

22. A threaded introducer system according to claim 21 wherein the attachment portion comprises a plurality of flexible collet fingers, and a nut that threadingly engages the collet fingers.

23. A threaded introducer system according to claim 21 wherein the nut comprises an annular inclined surface such that when the nut is screwed distally, the collet fingers are driven radially inward, and when the nut is screwed proximally, the collet fingers are permitted to relax radially outwardly.

24. A threaded introducer system according to claim 21 wherein an elastomeric ring is disposed internally of the collet fingers such that the nut is screwed distally so as to close the collet fingers, and the elastomeric ring, into secure engagement with the object.

25. A threaded introducer system according to claim 1 wherein the rotary coupling portion further comprises a low friction lining disposed within the tube.

26. A threaded introducer system according to claim 25 wherein the low friction lining comprises a sleeve.

27. A threaded introducer system according to claim 1 wherein the low friction lining comprises surface coating.

28. A threaded introducer system according to claim 1 wherein the object comprises visualization apparatus.

29. A method for delivering an object within a bodily passageway, the method comprising:

providing a threaded introducer system for accessing a bodily passageway, the introducer system comprising;

a flexible tube having a distal end and a proximal end, a longitudinal axis extending between the distal end and the proximal end, and a lumen extending from the distal end to the proximal end, the lumen being sized to receive an object to be transported through the bodily passageway;

apparatus for connecting the object received within the lumen to the tube, the apparatus comprising a rotary coupling portion attached to the tube such that the rotary coupling may rotate freely about the longitudinal axis of the tube while being longitudinally fixed to the tube, and an attachment portion mounted to the tube such that the attachment portion selectively grips the object; and

an external thread disposed over the distal end of the tube, the external thread having a sufficient structural integrity, and a sufficient surface profile, such that when the tube is disposed in a bodily passageway, rotation of the tube about the longitudinal axis will result in longitudinal motion of the tube along the bodily passageway; and

inserting the threaded introducer system into the bodily passageway.