Guidewire locking device and method

• US 20050148820A1
• Filed: 03/08/2005
• Published: 07/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Carrillo, Oscar
• Granted Patent: US 7,803,107 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/154
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/018 for receiving instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/09125 Device for locking a guide wire in a fixed position with respect to the catheter or the human body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/02 Holding devices, e.g. on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/09041 Mechanisms for insertion of guide wires

Abstract

A locking device for a maintaining an elongated member at a selected place within a body lumen includes a substantially rigid body including an attachment portion adapted to be coupled to a proximal portion of a medical instrument. When in an operative position, the distal portion of the medical instrument is received within the body lumen and a head coupled to the substantially rigid body. The head is configured to overlie an access port of the medical device when the attachment portion is coupled to the proximal portion of the medical device in a predetermined configuration. A plurality of locking features extends from the head to immobilize a section of the elongated member relative to the medical device.

Claims

14. A locking device for maintaining a position of a first elongated member relative to a flexible endoscope while a second elongated member is withdrawn from the body lumen, the locking device comprising:

a mounting mechanism for selectively coupling the locking device to a proximal end of the endoscope;

a head which, when the mounting mechanism is coupled to the endoscope in a predetermined configuration, overlies an opening at the proximal end of the endoscope to a working channel of the endoscope; and

a plurality of locking features extending from the head to immobilize a portion of the first elongated member relative to the endoscope.

15. The locking device according to claim 14, further comprising:

a locking arm extending from the head between the opening at the proximal end of the endoscope and the locking features to limit movement of a portion of the first elongated member between the opening and the locking features.

16. The locking device according to claim 14, wherein a first one of the locking features includes a frictional engagement surface for gripping the first elongated member.

17. The locking device according to claim 14, wherein a first one of the locking features includes an entry slot and a locking slot operatively connected thereto, the entry slot having a size greater than a diameter of a portion of the first elongated member to be immobilized thereby wherein a portion of the locking slot has a size smaller than the diameter of the portion of the first elongated member to be immobilized thereby.

18. The locking device according to claim 17, wherein the locking slot and the entry slot are disposed in a substantially “

J-shaped”

configuration.

19. The locking device according to claim 14, wherein the head is configured so that, when the mounting mechanism is coupled to the endoscope in a predetermined configuration, the locking features overlie the opening.

20. The locking device according to claim 15, wherein the locking arm is oriented to retain the portion of the first elongated member extending between the opening and the locking features substantially parallel to the head.

21. The locking device according to claim 14, further comprising an endoscope sheath assembly which slidably receives the second elongated member therein, the endoscope sheath assembly being sized to be inserted through the working channel of the endoscope.

22. A method of performing a medical procedure, comprising the steps of:

inserting an endoscope into a body lumen;

inserting a distal end of a first elongated member into the lumen via an access port at a proximal end of the endoscope, so that a proximal portion of the first elongated member extends proximally from the access port; and

immobilizing a portion of the first elongated member relative to the endoscope by engaging a first locking feature of a locking device with the first elongated member.

1. A locking device for maintaining an elongated member at a selected position, the locking device comprising:

a substantially rigid body including an attachment portion adapted to be coupled to a proximal portion of a medical device wherein, when in an operative position, a distal portion of the medical device is received within the body lumen;

a head coupled to the body, the head configured to overlie an access port of the medical device when the attachment portion is coupled to the proximal portion of the medical device; and

a plurality of locking features extending from the head to immobilize a section of the elongate member relative to the medical device.

2. The locking device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a locking arm extending from the locking device so that, when the attachment portion is coupled to the medical device, the locking arm extends between the access port and the locking features to guide the elongated member from the access port to the locking features along a desired path.

3. The locking device according to claim 2, wherein the locking arm extends from the head.

4. The locking device according to claim 3, wherein the head is configured to position the locking arm with a gap formed between the locking arm and the head overlying the access port.

5. The locking device according to claim 1, wherein the locking features include gripping surfaces which frictionally immobilize a portion of the elongated member received therein.

6. The locking device according to claim 5, wherein the gripping surfaces are formed along sides of tapered slots with a minimum width each of the slots being less than a diameter of a portion of the elongated member to be immobilized thereby.

7. The locking device according to claim 6, wherein the slots comprise an entry slot and a locking slot disposed in a “

J”

shape.

8. The locking device according to claim 7, wherein the locking arm is oriented to retain a portion of the elongated member in a position substantially parallel to the head.

9. The locking device according to claim 1, wherein each of the locking features independently retains at least one elongated member.

10. The locking device according to claim 1, wherein the locking features comprise mechanical elements applying to the elongated member one of a compression, bending and pinching force.

11. The locking device according to claim 8, wherein the locking arm is tapered allowing simultaneous independent limited movement of two elongated members.

12. The locking device according to claim 1, wherein the head includes a position indexing protrusion extending therefrom to indicate a correct positioning thereof relative to the access port.

13. The locking device according to claim 1, wherein the head extends to a position substantially overlying the access port to minimize bending of the elongated member between the access port and the locking features.

23. The method according to claim 22, further comprising:

engaging a locking arm of the locking device with the first elongated member to direct the first elongated member along a first predetermined path from the proximal end of the endoscope to the first locking feature.

24. The method according to claim 22, further comprising:

inserting the first elongated member into a lumen of a second elongated member and inserting the second elongated member into the endoscope, whereby the first elongated member extends within the lumen from an access port thereof to a distal opening of the second elongated member.

25. The method according to claim 24, further comprising:

removing and replacing the second elongated member without displacing the first elongated member immobilized by the first locking feature.

26. The method according to claim 23, wherein the locking device comprises a second locking feature, the method further comprising the steps of:

immobilizing a portion of a third elongated member relative to the endoscope by engaging a second locking feature with the third elongated member; and

engaging the locking arm with the third elongated member to direct the third elongated member along a second predetermined path from the proximal end of the endoscope to the second locking feature.

26-1. The method according to claim 23, wherein the locking device comprises a second locking feature, the method further comprising the steps of:

immobilizing a portion of a third elongated member relative to the endoscope by engaging a second locking feature with the third elongated member; and

engaging the locking arm with the third elongated member to direct the third elongated member along a second predetermined path from the proximal end of the endoscope to the second locking feature.