Systems and methods for variable injection flow

• US 9,352,121 B2
• Filed: 03/01/2012
• Issued: 05/31/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic CryoCath LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic CryoCath LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Groves, Regina E., Lalonde, Jean-Pierre, Laske, Timothy G., Lueckge, Claudia, Wittenberger, Dan, Sabbaghe-Kermani, Ramin, Kabir-Seraj, Mahmoud
• Primary Examiner(s): Malamud, Deborah
• Application Number:
  US13/409,646
• Publication Number:
  US 20130110100A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,552 Days
• Field of Search: 606 20- 22
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/02 by cooling, e.g. cryogenic techniques devices for cooling specific reflex points of the body within cell-life limits A61H39/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/0218 with open-end cryogenic probe, e.g. for spraying fluid directly on tissue or via a tissue-contacting porous tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00023 closed, i.e. without wound contact by the fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00095 high, i.e. heat conducting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00101 low, i.e. thermally insulating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00202 rotating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0022 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0212 using an instrument inserted into a body lumen, e.g. catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0262 using a circulating cryogenic fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0268 with restriction of flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0025 having a collapsible lumen
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0079 Separate user-activated means, e.g. guidewires, guide tubes, balloon catheters or sheaths, for sealing off an orifice, e.g. a lumen or side holes, of a catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0175 having telescopic features, interengaging nestable members movable in relations to one another
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0029 characterized by features relating to least one lumen located at the middle part of the catheter, e.g. slots, flaps, valves, cuffs, apertures, notches, grooves or rapid exchange ports catheter shaft surface irregularities A61M2025/006
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/007 Side holes, e.g. their profiles or arrangements; Provisions to keep side holes unblocked
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/22 Valves or arrangement of valves A61M39/02, A61M39/0247, A61M39/16 take precedence; regulating valves in infusion systems A61M5/16881; in devices worn by the patient for the reception of urine, faeces, catamenial or other discharge, or in colostomy devices A61F5/4405
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/28 Clamping means for squeezing flexible tubes, e.g. roller clamps tube strippers A61M1/83
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0318 Processes

Abstract

Systems and methods for controllably variable fluid flow are disclosed that provide the ability to modify the effective cross-sectional area of the fluid delivery conduit available for fluid flow. Accordingly, selective control of these configurations allows fluid flow to be regulated as desired while the fluid delivery pressure remains the same. Additional configurations provided herein allow for the selective manipulation of a footprint or therapeutic pattern achievable with the medical device during a single procedure, negating the need for the removal and insertion of multiple devices to achieve the same variations in treatment geometry or characteristics.

Claims

1. A medical device, comprising:

a catheter body defining a distal portion;

a fluid delivery conduit located within the catheter body and defining an outlet in the distal portion of the catheter body, and

a deformation element within the catheter body, the deformation element being rotatable about the fluid delivery conduit to depress an exterior surface of a portion of the fluid delivery conduit to affect fluid flow therethrough.

2. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the deformation element is movable substantially perpendicularly to the fluid delivery conduit to depress a portion of the fluid delivery conduit.

3. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the deformation element is substantially rigid.

4. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the deformation element is operable from a proximal end of the medical device.

5. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the deformation element contacts the fluid delivery conduit at two locations.

6. The medical device of claim 5, wherein rotating the deformation element kinks the fluid delivery conduit.

7. The medical device of claim 1, further comprising a fluid supply in fluid communication with the fluid delivery conduit.

8. The medical device of claim 1, further comprising a vacuum pump in fluid communication with the catheter body.

9. A method of regulating fluid flow through a catheter, comprising:

delivering a fluid to a first conduit disposed within a portion of the catheter; and

mechanically deforming a portion of the conduit by depressing an external surface of the conduit with a deformation element located within the catheter and external to the conduit to controllably regulate fluid flowing therethrough, mechanically deforming the conduit including rotating the deformation element about the conduit to impart a kink.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein mechanically deforming the conduit includes depressing an exterior surface of the first conduit in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction of fluid flow.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein an elongate member is disposed within the deformed portion of the first conduit.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the fluid is a cryogenic refrigerant.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising cryogenically treating a tissue region with a portion of the catheter.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising evacuating at least a portion of the fluid from the catheter with a vacuum pump.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein mechanically deforming a portion of the conduit includes manipulating a deformation element from a proximal portion of the catheter.