Apparatus for guiding the placement of a subcutaneous device

• US 9,101,389 B2
• Filed: 04/29/2009
• Issued: 08/11/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Havel, William J., Whitman, Teresa A., Foerster, Laurie D., Marshall, Mark T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Price, Nathan R
• Application Number:
  US12/431,926
• Publication Number:
  US 20100030147A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,295 Days
• Field of Search: 604115-117, 606/129
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3462 with means for changing the diameter or the orientation of the entrance port of the cannula, e.g. for use with different-sized instruments, reduction ports, adapter seals expandable cannulas A61B17/3417
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3468 for implanting or removing devices, e.g. prostheses, implants, seeds, wires devices for implanting seeds A61M37/0069
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3472 for bones, e.g. intraosseus injections
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00026 Conductivity or impedance, e.g. of tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0003 of parts of the instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00561 creating a vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/306 holding by means of suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320044 Blunt dissectors blunt suture needles A61B2017/06085
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320056 Tunnelers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/1586 Holding accessories for holding infusion needles on the body holding devices for catheters A61M25/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/425 Protruding skin to facilitate piercing, e.g. vacuum cylinders, vein immobilising means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/427 Locating point where body is to be pierced, e.g. vein location means using ultrasonic waves, injection site templates
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/046 Specially adapted for shock therapy, e.g. defibrillation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0504 Subcutaneous electrodes

Abstract

An apparatus for guiding the placement of a subcutaneous device that includes a strap having an indentation configured for a fold of skin and fat layer to be positioned within the indentation as the subcutaneous device is advanced to a desired implantation site.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a flexible strap comprising an indentation configured for a fold of skin and fat layer to be positioned within the indentation such that placement of a subcutaneous device may be guided subcutaneously along the fold of skin and fat layer positioned within the indentation of the strap; and

a handle attached to the strap via an open frame connection formed at an end of the strap, the open frame connection being formed to be positioned separate from the indentation to provide a window for access to the indentation of the strap.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an adhesive attached to the strap, the adhesive configured for attaching the apparatus to a patient.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a band attached to the strap, the band configured for attaching the apparatus to a patient.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a channel through the strap, the channel configured for shaping a tunneling tool to conform to a patient'"'"'s body outside of a patient'"'"'s body before the tunneling tool is inserted into the patient'"'"'s body.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a vacuum line configured to provide a vacuum within the indentation to pull the fold of skin and fat layer into the indentation.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a material covering at least a portion of the strap, the material configured to prevent the apparatus from sticking to a table surface.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the strap is between 12 to 18 inches long.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the open frame connection is arranged to attached the handle directly to the strap such that the handle defines one end of the apparatus with the open frame connection interposed between the handle and the end of the strap.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the handle is positioned relative to the strap such that applying a first force on the handle in a first direction is counter to a second force applied to skin positioned within the open frame connection in a second direction different from the first direction such that the apparatus keeps the skin taut during the application of the first force and the second force simultaneously.

10. A system for placing a subcutaneous device, the system comprising:

an apparatus including a flexible strap comprising an indentation configured for a fold of skin and fat layer of a patient to be positioned within the indentation such that placement of a subcutaneous device may be guided subcutaneously along the fold of skin and fat layer positioned within the indentation of the strap;

a tunneling tool configured for insertion into a subcutaneous region of the patient along the indentation of the guide apparatus; and

a handle attached to the strap via an open frame connection formed at an end of the strap, the open frame connection formed to be positioned separate from the indentation to provide a window for access for insertion of the tunneling tool, wherein the advancing of the tunneling tool through the window positions the fold of skin and fat layer within the indentation.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the strap comprises a material that conforms to a shape of the patient when attached to the patient.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the apparatus is configured to be sterilized.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the strap comprises a first mark,

wherein the tunneling tool comprises a second mark, and

wherein the first mark is configured to be aligned with the second mark to indicate a location for placement of the subcutaneous device.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the open frame connection is arranged to attached the handle directly to the strap such that the handle defines one end of the apparatus with the open frame connection interposed between the handle and the end of the strap.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the handle is positioned relative to the strap such that applying a first force on the handle in a first direction is counter to a second force applied to skin positioned within the open frame connection by the tunneling tool in a second direction different from the first direction, such that the apparatus keeps the skin taut during insertion of the tunneling tool.