System and method for attaching a radiopaque marker bead to an endoprosthesis

• US 9,737,368 B2
• Filed: 02/24/2015
• Issued: 08/22/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Lumauig, Rommel
• Primary Examiner(s): YOO, JUN S
• Application Number:
  US14/629,669
• Publication Number:
  US 20160242851A1
• Time in Patent Office: 910 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/366 using projection of images directly onto the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3966 Radiopaque markers visible in an X-ray image
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3987 Applicators for implanting markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/82 Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents stent-grafts for tubular structures of the body other than blood vessels A61F2/04; stent-grafts for blood vessels A61F2/07; instruments specially adapted for placement or removal of stents or stent-grafts A61F2/95; for closing wounds, or holding wounds closed A61B17/04 - A61B17/115; dilators A61M29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0033 made by longitudinally pushing a protrusion into a complementary-shaped recess, e.g. held by friction fit
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0041 using additional screws, bolts, dowels or rivets, e.g. connecting screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2240/00 Manufacturing or designing of prostheses classified in groups A61F2/00 - A61F2/26 or A61F2/82 or A61F9/00 or A61F11/00 or subgroups thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0098 radio-opaque, e.g. radio-opaque markers
• CPC Class Codes: B23P 19/02 for connecting objects by press fit or for detaching same B23P19/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 11/00 Work holders not covered by any preceding group in the subclass, e.g. magnetic work holders, vacuum work holders for holding or positioning work for welding, soldering, or cutting by applying heat locally B23K37/04; specially adapted to machine tools B23Q3/00

Abstract

A radiopaque marker bead can be attached to an endoprosthesis by pressing an end of bead into a through hole formed into the endoprosthesis and allowing the opposite end of the bead to pass through the hole and protrude out of the other end of the hole. Both ends of the bead can then be pressed and flattened so as to frictionally engage both ends of the hole. A support tool having a curved outer surface can be inserted into the endoprosthesis to support the endoprosthesis luminal surface while the bead is being pushed into the hole. The support tool has a depression which allows the opposite end of the bead to protrude out of the hole.

Claims

1. A method for attaching a radiopaque marker bead to an endoprosthesis, the method comprising:

positioning the radiopaque marker bead adjacent to the endoprosthesis such that a first portion and a second portion of the radiopaque marker bead are disposed over a hole formed through an abluminal surface of the endoprosthesis;

after positioning, pressing the first portion of the radiopaque marker bead into the hole until the second portion of the radiopaque marker bead moves out of the hole and protrudes from a luminal surface of the endoprosthesis;

supporting the luminal surface of the endoprosthesis with a curved outer surface of a support tool, wherein a depression is formed into the curved outer surface, the depression is radially aligned with the hole formed in the endoprosthesis, and the supporting is performed simultaneous with pressing the first portion of the radiopaque marker bead; and

after pressing the first portion, pressing the second portion of the marker into the hole.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein pressing the second portion is performed by rotating the support tool.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the depression in the curved outer surface of the support tool receives the second portion of the radiopaque marker bead when the first portion of the radiopaque marker bead is pressed into the hole, and the depression has a radial depth that limits travel of the second portion out of the hole.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising inserting the support tool into the endoprosthesis such that the curved outer surface of the support tool supports the luminal surface of the endoprosthesis, wherein the inserting is performed before pressing the first portion of the radiopaque marker bead.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising removing the support tool from the endoprosthesis, the removing performed before or during pressing the second portion of the radiopaque marker bead.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein pressing the first portion of the radiopaque marker bead includes flattening the first portion.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein pressing the first portion of the radiopaque marker bead includes deforming the first portion to fill an abluminal end segment of the hole with the first portion.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein pressing the second portion of the radiopaque marker bead includes flattening the second portion.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein pressing the second portion includes deforming the second portion to fill a luminal end segment of the hole with the second portion of the radiopaque marker bead.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the radiopaque marker bead is spherical before pressing the first portion, and the radiopaque marker bead is a disc after pressing the second portion.