DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR DEPLOYMENT OF MEDICAL DEVICES

• US 20100069852A1
• Filed: 09/17/2008
• Published: 03/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic CV Luxembourg SARL (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Corevalve LLC (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Kelley, Gregory Scott
• Granted Patent: US 8,721,714 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/264
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2436 Deployment by retracting a sheath
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/95 Instruments specially adapted for placement or removal of stents or stent-grafts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/9665 with additional retaining means

Abstract

A catheter that comprises a sheath that is connected at opposing ends to concentric tubes that move relative to each other in a manner that alternatively covers and exposes a medical device loaded onto the catheter. A portion of the sheath is arranged so as to invert upon itself so that axial movement of one tube relative to the other simultaneously moves the inversion point over or away from the device, alternatively covering or exposing the device.

Claims

1. An apparatus for minimally invasively delivering a medical device to a target site within a patient, the apparatus comprising:

a first tube having an outside surface suitable for accepting a medical device collapsed thereon in a stationary position;

a second tube movable relative to the first tube and incorporated therewith; and

a sheathing material having a first end affixed to the first tube and a second end affixed to the second tube so that a portion of the sheathing material may cover at least some of a medical device when loaded on the apparatus, the first and second tubes aligned concentrically so as to create an inversion point in the sheathing material when one tube is moved relative to the other tube;

wherein the apparatus is configured so that movement of one tube relative to the other tube causes the inversion point to move relative to a medical device when loaded on the apparatus so as to expose the medical device to expansion when it is desired that the medical device expand at a target site.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first tube comprises a cap having a smooth surface over which a portion of the sheathing material may slide.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sheathing material is reinforced to minimize elongation when tension is applied to the material.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sheathing material comprises a lubricious coating on the surface that contacts itself when inverted.

14. A kit comprising the apparatus of claim 1 and a medical device.

16. The kit of claim of claim 14, wherein the medical device is a self expanding device.

18. The kit of claim of claim 14, wherein the medical device is a heart valve prosthesis.

5. A method of delivering a medical device loaded on to a catheter, the method comprising:

positioning a first tube relative to a second concentric tube such that sheathing material having a first end affixed to the first tube and a second end affixed to the second tube forms at least one inversion point;

moving the first tube in a first direction relative to the second tube so that the medical device is covered at least partially by a portion of the sheathing material by the axial movement of the inversion point;

delivering the catheter within a patient so that the medical device is positioned relative to a desired target site of therapy; and

moving the first tube in a second direction relative to the second tube so that the inversion point moves in such a way as to expose the medical device when it is desired to expand the device, thereby permitting expansion of the medical device at the target site.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein movement of the first tube in a first direction relative to the second tube cause the inversion point to move in the direction of the first tube.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein movement of the first tube in a first direction relative to the second tube cause the inversion point to move in the opposite direction of the first tube.

8. An apparatus for delivering a medical device to a site within a patient, the apparatus comprising:

a catheter comprising;

distal and proximal ends;

first and second tubes, movable with respect to each other with one being located at least partially inside the other;

a region for receiving the medical device on the outer surface of one of the tubes;

a flexible sheath for retaining the medical device, when positioned in the region, the sheath being folded over upon itself to have outer and inner portions, the outer portion being attached directly or indirectly to one of the tubes so that movement of that tube causes movement of the outer portion of the sheath from a position at least partially covering the region to a position at least partially exposing the region.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the outer portion of sheath is movable in the distal direction to at least partially expose the region.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the sheath is directly or indirectly attached to the inner tube and the outer portion of the sheath is movable to at least partially expose the region by movement of the inner tube.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the inner tube is movable in the proximal direction to cause the movement of the outer portion of the sheath to at least partially expose the region.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the inner tube is movable in the distal direction to cause the movement of the outer portion of the sheath to at least partially expose the region.

13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the sheath is directly or indirectly attached to the outer tube and the outer portion of the sheath is movable to at least partially expose the region by movement of the outer tube.

15. A kit comprising the apparatus of claim 8 and a medical device.

17. The kit of claim of claim 15, wherein the medical device is a self expanding device.

19. The kit of claim of claim 15, wherein the medical device is a heart valve prosthesis.