Systems, devices and methods for accessing a bodily opening
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A medical device for forming a pathway from an external orifice to a bodily opening defined by tissue of an internal bodily lumen, the medical device comprising:
- a flexible sheath having a longitudinal length suitable for forming the pathway, the flexible sheath having a distal portion that is collapsible; and
an expandable frame connected to the distal portion of the sheath, the expandable frame operable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, the expandable frame expanding radially from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration;
the expandable frame including a first cage having a proximal segment and a distal segment connected together by intermediate hinges, the proximal segment connected to the flexible sheath, the distal segment projecting distally beyond the distal portion of the flexible sheath;
the distal segment rotating radially outwardly relative to the proximal segment about the intermediate hinges when the expandable frame expands radially from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration.
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Abstract
Medical systems, devices and methods are provided for accessing a bodily opening that, among other things, are safe and reliable, and facilitate manipulation of a medical instrument. The medical access device generally includes an elongated flexible sheath and an expandable frame connected to the distal end of the flexible sheath. The sheath and expandable frame are operable between expanded and collapsed configurations to provide a pathway from a natural orifice to the bodily opening.
164 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A medical device for forming a pathway from an external orifice to a bodily opening defined by tissue of an internal bodily lumen, the medical device comprising:
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a flexible sheath having a longitudinal length suitable for forming the pathway, the flexible sheath having a distal portion that is collapsible; and an expandable frame connected to the distal portion of the sheath, the expandable frame operable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, the expandable frame expanding radially from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration; the expandable frame including a first cage having a proximal segment and a distal segment connected together by intermediate hinges, the proximal segment connected to the flexible sheath, the distal segment projecting distally beyond the distal portion of the flexible sheath; the distal segment rotating radially outwardly relative to the proximal segment about the intermediate hinges when the expandable frame expands radially from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A medical device for forming a pathway from an external orifice to a bodily opening defined by tissue of an internal bodily lumen, the medical device comprising:
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a flexible sheath having a length suitable for forming the pathway, the flexible sheath having a distal portion that is collapsible; and an expandable frame connected to the distal portion of the sheath, the expandable frame operable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, the expandable frame expanding radially from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration; the expandable frame including a first cage having a proximal segment and a distal segment connected together by intermediate hinges, the proximal segment connected to the flexible sheath, the distal segment projecting distally beyond the distal portion of the flexible sheath, the proximal and distal segments of the first cage each defined by a plurality of struts having proximal and distal ends, the struts of the proximal segment connected together at their proximal ends by proximal hinges, the struts of the distal segment connected together at their distal ends by distal hinges, the plurality of struts rotating relative to one another about the proximal and distal hinges to permit the proximal and distal segments of the first cage to expand radially from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration, wherein the distal ends of the plurality of struts define a plurality of loops; the distal segment rotating radially outwardly relative to the proximal segment about the intermediate hinges when the expandable frame expands radially from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for accessing a bodily opening defined by tissue of an internal bodily lumen via an external orifice, the method comprising:
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providing a medical device comprising an expandable frame and a flexible sheath, the flexible sheath having a distal portion that is collapsible, the expandable frame connected to the distal portion of the sheath, the expandable frame operable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, the expandable frame expanding radially from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration, the expandable frame including a first cage having a proximal segment and a distal segment connected together by intermediate hinges, the proximal segment connected to the flexible sheath, the distal segment projecting distally beyond the distal portion of the flexible sheath, the distal segment rotating radially outwardly relative to the proximal segment about the intermediate hinges when the expandable frame expands radially from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration; delivering the distal end of the sheath and a portion of the expandable frame within the bodily opening while the expandable frame is in its collapsed configuration; operating the expandable frame to its expanded configuration such that the distal end of the sheath is placed in contact with the interior of the bodily opening formed in the bodily wall and the distal segment of the first cage rotates radially outwardly relative to the proximal segment, the distal segment located distally beyond the bodily opening and the bodily wall. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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Specification