Directional anchoring mechanism, method and applications thereof

• US 8,764,725 B2
• Filed: 11/14/2008
• Issued: 07/01/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Averbuch, Dorian
• Primary Examiner(s): Berdichevsky, Aarti Bhatia
• Assistant Examiner(s): SCHELL, LAURA C
• Application Number:
  US12/271,175
• Publication Number:
  US 20090240198A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,055 Days
• Field of Search: 604/500, 604507-510, 604/96.01, 604/158, 604/159, 604/528, 604104-109
• US Class Current: 604/509
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22071 Steering
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0057 Catheters delivering medicament other than through a conventional lumen, e.g. porous walls or hydrogel coatings
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0089 Single injection needle protruding axially, i.e. along the longitudinal axis of the catheter, from the distal tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/1013 with concentrically mounted balloons, e.g. being independently inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/105 having a balloon suitable for drug delivery, e.g. by using holes for delivery, drug coating or membranes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/1075 having a balloon composed of several layers, e.g. by coating or embedding
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/1081 having sheaths or the like for covering the balloon but not forming a permanent part of the balloon, e.g. retractable, dissolvable or tearable sheaths
• 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 25/0133 Tip steering devices
• 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 25/1011 Multiple balloon catheters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 37/0069 Devices for implanting pellets, e.g. markers or solid medicaments for introducing of radioactive sources for interstitial radiation therapy, i.e. brachytherapy A61N5/1027

Abstract

An anchoring mechanism and method for anchoring a device within a biological conduit include an expandable element configured for retaining the device at a desired angle relative to a central axis of the biological conduit. A steering mechanism is preferably provided for orienting the device prior to operation of the anchoring mechanism. The anchoring mechanism and method are employed in drug delivery devices, brachytherapy devices or for anchoring a catheter or sheath to provide a working channel for reliable guidance of a wide range of tools to a target location within the body.

Claims

1. A method of maintaining a catheter tip in a biological conduit, the method comprising:

introducing a catheter into the biological conduit, a distal tip of the catheter equipped with a sheathed self-expanding anchoring cage;

navigating the catheter such that the distal tip is proximate a desired location;

manipulating the distal tip to a desired angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the biological conduit; and

once the distal tip is disposed at the desired angle relative to the longitudinal axis, stabilizing the distal tip against an interior wall of the biological conduit to maintain the distal tip at the desired angle without blocking fluid flow through said biological conduit by unsheathing said anchoring cage.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein manipulating the distal tip to a desired position in the biological conduit comprises monitoring a position and attitude of the distal tip within the biological conduit.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein monitoring a position and attitude of the distal tip within the biological conduit comprises employing a position sensor associated with the distal tip.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein manipulating the distal tip to a desired position in the biological conduit comprises deflecting the distal tip.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein unsheathing said anchoring cage self-aligns the distal tip in a predefined orientation relative to the biological conduit.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein unsheathing said anchoring cage only partially restricts the fluid flow of the biological conduit.