Directional anchoring mechanism, and method and applications thereof

• US 10,173,043 B2
• Filed: 05/18/2012
• Issued: 01/08/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Averbuch, Dorian
• Primary Examiner(s): Stigell, Theodore
• Assistant Examiner(s): Schell, Laura
• Application Number:
  US13/475,842
• Publication Number:
  US 20120232487A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,426 Days
• Field of Search: 604104-107, 604528
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22071 Steering
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0057 Catheters delivering medicament other than through a conventional lumen, e.g. porous walls or hydrogel coatings
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0089 Single injection needle protruding axially, i.e. along the longitudinal axis of the catheter, from the distal tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/1013 with concentrically mounted balloons, e.g. being independently inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/105 having a balloon suitable for drug delivery, e.g. by using holes for delivery, drug coating or membranes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/1075 having a balloon composed of several layers, e.g. by coating or embedding
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/1081 having sheaths or the like for covering the balloon but not forming a permanent part of the balloon, e.g. retractable, dissolvable or tearable sheaths
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0105 Steering means as part of the catheter or advancing means; Markers for positioning systems for detection of markers A61B
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0133 Tip steering devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/04 in the body, e.g. expansible A61M25/10, A61M16/0488 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/10 Balloon catheters A61M25/0125 takes precedence; embolectomy A61B17/22032; retractors A61B17/02; inflatable balloons for placing stents or stent-grafts A61F2/958 ; stomach balloons for treatment of obesity A61F5/0003; oesophagal tubes A61J15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/1011 Multiple balloon catheters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 37/0069 Devices for implanting pellets, e.g. markers or solid medicaments for introducing of radioactive sources for interstitial radiation therapy, i.e. brachytherapy A61N5/1027

Abstract

An anchoring mechanism and method for anchoring a device within a biological conduit include an expandable element configured for retaining the device at a desired angle relative to a central axis of the biological conduit. A steering mechanism is preferably provided for orienting the device prior to operation of the anchoring mechanism. The anchoring mechanism and method are employed in drug delivery devices, brachytherapy devices or for anchoring a catheter or sheath to provide a working channel for reliable guidance of a wide range of tools to a target location within the body.

Claims

1. A device for deployment in a biological conduit comprising:

an anchoring cage defining an outer peripheral surface circumferentially surrounding a distal portion of a catheter, the outer peripheral surface extending radially outward from an outer surface of the catheter in an anchoring state, the outer peripheral surface being configured to contact an interior surface of the biological conduit and to act against at least part of a corresponding circumference of the interior surface of the biological conduit when expanded into the anchoring state;

a lumen extending through at least a portion of the catheter, the anchoring cage being secured about the distal portion of the catheter, and when in the anchoring state, the lumen oriented in the anchoring cage such that the contact between the outer peripheral surface of the anchoring cage and the at least part of the corresponding circumference of the interior surface of the biological conduit positions the distal portion of the catheter at a predefined non-zero angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the biological conduit; and

a second anchoring cage positioned on the catheter proximal to the anchoring cage and configured to produce high friction engagement with the interior surface of the biological conduit in the anchoring state, the second anchoring cage substantially allowing fluid flow through the biological conduit when in the anchoring state.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the anchoring cage is permanently attached about the distal portion of the catheter.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the outer peripheral surface of the anchoring cage includes at least one filamentous element.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the filamentous element comprises a material selected from the group of materials comprising:

stainless steel and Nitinol.

5. The device of claim 3, wherein the filamentous element is woven.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the anchoring cage is expandable from a retracted state to the anchoring state.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein:

the second anchoring cage includes at least one second filamentous element;

the at least one second filamentous element includes a material selected from the group of materials comprising stainless steel and Nitinol; and

the at least one second filamentous element is woven.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the anchoring cage substantially allows fluid flow through the biological conduit when in the anchoring state.