Valve loader method, system, and apparatus

• US 9,326,873 B2
• Filed: 12/06/2011
• Issued: 05/03/2016
• 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): Lynch, Robert
• Application Number:
  US13/312,588
• Publication Number:
  US 20120073126A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,610 Days
• Field of Search: 623/1.11, 623/1.12, 623/2.11, 606/108, 600 1- 8
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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. An interchangeable medical device cartridge comprising;

a cartridge body having a distal end and a proximal end;

an enclosure within the cartridge body, the enclosure having a proximal enclosure end at the proximal end of the cartridge body, a distal enclosure end and the distal end of the cartridge body, and an enclosure axis extending between the proximal and distal enclosure ends, the enclosure sized and shaped to receive a plunger via the proximal enclosure end and through the distal enclosure end, and wherein the enclosure further comprises a tapered lumen for compressing the deployable medical device prior to loading into the deployment apparatus; and

the cartridge body sized and shaped to be inserted into and removed from a first open cavity of a valve loader of a loading system along a single installation axis perpendicular to the enclosure axis, the enclosure configured to house a deployable medical device that may be directed by the loading system into a deployment apparatus, wherein the cartridge body includes a recess in a proximal wall configured to receive a locking mechanism for retaining interchangeable medical device in the valve loader.

2. The interchangeable medical device cartridge of claim 1, wherein the tapered lumen comprises a proximal end having a larger diameter than the distal end.

3. The interchangeable medical device cartridge of claim 1, wherein the tapered lumen is more tapered at a distal end than at a proximal end.

4. The interchangeable medical device cartridge of claim 1, further comprising at least one release tab that is integrally formed with the enclosure, the at least one release tab configured to lock the interchangeable medical device cartridge within the valve loader.

5. The interchangeable medical device cartridge of claim 4, wherein the at least one release tab is positioned on a first lateral side of the cartridge body.

6. The interchangeable medical device cartridge of claim 1, wherein the enclosure comprises a mating shape corresponding to a cavity within the valve loader, the mating shape configured to allow the interchangeable medical device cartridge to be inserted into the cavity in one direction.

7. The interchangeable medical device cartridge of claim 1, further comprising the deployable medical device within the enclosure.

8. The interchangeable medical device cartridge of claim 7, wherein the deployable medical device is a lung volume reduction device.