U.S. patent application number 10/302410 was filed with the patent office on 2004-05-27 for selectively locking device.
This patent application is currently assigned to SCIMED LIFE SYSTEMS, INC.. Invention is credited to Baughman, Tyler.
Application Number | 20040102789 10/302410 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32324769 |
Filed Date | 2004-05-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040102789 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Baughman, Tyler |
May 27, 2004 |
Selectively locking device
Abstract
A locking element comprising a frame defining a central lumen
through which a portion of the elongate member fits; one or more
levers extending in the second direction from the frame able to be
moved between a locking position and a releasing position; and one
or more tabs extending in the first direction from the frame able
to be moved by the one or more levers between a locked position and
a released position; wherein when the locking element is disposed
on an enabling elongate member in a second direction from a second
cross section, the one or more tabs prevent the locking element
from moving in a first direction beyond a first cross section when
disposed in the locked position and do not prevent the locking
element from moving in the first direction when disposed in the
released position.
Inventors: |
Baughman, Tyler; (San Jose,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CROMPTON, SEAGER & TUFTE, LLC
1221 NICOLLET AVENUE
SUITE 800
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55403-2420
US
|
Assignee: |
SCIMED LIFE SYSTEMS, INC.
|
Family ID: |
32324769 |
Appl. No.: |
10/302410 |
Filed: |
November 22, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
606/99 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 2/011 20200501;
A61B 2017/00469 20130101; A61F 2230/0008 20130101; A61B 2017/347
20130101; A61B 17/221 20130101; Y10T 70/50 20150401; A61F 2002/015
20130101; A61B 17/22031 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
606/099 |
International
Class: |
A61F 002/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A locking element for locking a medical device to an elongate
member having a central longitudinal axis and a first cross section
having a first perimeter and a second cross section having a second
perimeter where a portion of the second perimeter is closer to the
central longitudinal axis than a portion of the first perimeter,
the locking element comprising: a frame defining a central lumen
through which a portion of the elongate member fits; one or more
levers extending in the second direction from the frame able to be
moved between a locking position and a releasing position; and one
or more tabs extending in the first direction from the frame able
to be moved by the one or more levers between a locked position and
a released position; wherein when the locking element is disposed
on the elongate member in the second direction from the second
cross section, the one or more tabs prevent the locking element
from moving in the first direction beyond the first cross section
when disposed in the locked position and do not prevent the locking
element from moving in the first direction when disposed in the
released position.
2. The element of claim 1, wherein the locking element is
monolithic.
3. The element of claim 2, wherein when the one or more levers is
in the second direction from the second cross section, there is a
gap between the one or more levers and a portion of the elongate
member in a second direction from the second cross section.
4. The element of claim 3, wherein the gap between the one or more
levers and the elongate member increases in the second direction
when the one or more levers are in the locked position.
5. The element of claim 1, wherein when the tabs are in the locked
position, a portion of the one or more tabs cannot fit outside the
first perimeter.
6. The element of claim 1, wherein when the locking element is
disposed on the elongate member in the second direction from the
second cross section, the levers are closer to the elongate member
in the releasing position than in the locking position and the tabs
are closer to the elongate member in the locked position than in
the released position.
7. The element of claim 6, wherein moving the levers from the
locking position to the releasing position causes the tabs to be
moved from the locked position to the released position.
8. The element of claim 1, wherein the one or more levers and the
one or more tabs are equal in number.
9. The element of claim 8, wherein each of the one or more tabs
extend from the frame at a position opposite one of the tabs.
10. The element of claim 1, wherein the locking element further
comprises struts to connect the locking element to a medical
device.
11. The element of claim 10, wherein the struts are attached to the
central element.
12. The element of claim 10, wherein struts extend in a second
direction from the locking element.
13. The element of claim 12, wherein the struts are attached to the
levers.
14. The element of claim 1, wherein the locking element comprises a
flexible material.
15. The element of claim 14, wherein the locking element comprises
a super-elastic material.
16. The element of claim 15, wherein the locking element comprises
a nickel-titanium alloy.
17. The element of claim 1, wherein the one or more levers and the
one or more tabs are uniformly distributed around the frame.
18. The element of claim 1, wherein the one or more tabs comprise
two opposing tabs and the one or more levers comprise two opposing
levers.
19. The element of claim 1, wherein the one or more tabs comprise
three equally spaced tabs and the one or more levers comprise three
equally spaced levers.
20. The element of claim 1, wherein the one or more levers can be
actuated by an object moving in the second direction.
21. The element of claim 1, wherein the one or more tabs are biased
to the locked position.
22. The element of claim 1, wherein the one or more levers are
biased to the locking position.
23. The element of claim 1, wherein the medical device is a
filter.
24. The element of claim 1, wherein the element further comprises
one or more radiopaque bands.
25. The element of claim 1, wherein the element further comprises
one or more radiopaque longitudinal stripes.
26. The element of claim 1, wherein the one or more levers comprise
two or more levers, further comprising two or more centering arms
attached to the two or more levers such that when the levers are
moved to the releasing position, the two or more centering arms
position the elongate member centrally with respect to the
element.
27. An apparatus for selectively locking a medical device,
comprising an elongate member having a central longitudinal axis
and a first cross section having a first perimeter and a second
cross section having a second perimeter where a portion of the
second perimeter is closer to the central longitudinal axis than a
portion of the first perimeter and having one or more surfaces in
the second direction from the first cross section adapted for
receiving one or more tabs; and a locking element having a frame
defining a central lumen through which a portion of the elongate
member fits, one or more levers extending in the second direction
from the frame able to be moved between a locking position and a
releasing position, and one or more tabs extending in the first
direction from the frame able to be moved by the one or more levers
between a locked position and a released position; wherein a
portion of the elongate member in the second direction from the
first cross section is adapted for receiving one or more of the
tabs and when the locking element is disposed on the elongate
member in the second direction from the second cross section, the
one or more tabs prevent the locking element from moving in the
first direction beyond the first cross section and prevent the
locking device from rotating about the elongate member when
disposed in the locked position and do not prevent the locking
element from moving in the first direction when disposed in the
released position.
28. The apparatus of 27, wherein the elongate member further
comprises one or more longitudinal radiopaque stripes.
29. The apparatus of 27, wherein the one or more surfaces are
flat.
30. The apparatus of 27, wherein the one or more surfaces have a
central portion and one or more longitudinal ridges adjacent
thereto.
31. The apparatus of 30, wherein each central region of the one or
more surfaces have two longitudinal ridges adjacent thereto.
32. The apparatus of 27, wherein the one or more surfaces conform
to the tabs.
33. The apparatus of 27, wherein the one or more surfaces have a
central region and one or more longitudinal grooves adjacent
thereto.
34. The apparatus of 27, wherein each central region of the one or
more surfaces have two longitudinal grooves adjacent thereto.
35. The apparatus of 27, wherein the elongate member has a stop
near the end in the second direction.
36. A process for releasably locking a medical device on an
elongate member, comprising: providing an elongate member having a
central longitudinal axis and a first cross section having a first
perimeter and a second cross section having a second perimeter
where a portion of the second perimeter is closer to the central
longitudinal axis than a portion of the first perimeter; providing
a locking element having a frame defining a lumen through which a
portion of the elongate member may fit, one or more levers
extending from the frame in the second direction able to be
actuated between a locking position and a releasing position, and
one or more tabs extending in the first direction from the frame
able to be actuated by the one or more levers between a locked
position and a released position; and advancing the locking element
on the first end of the elongate member in the second direction
beyond the first cross section.
37. The process of claim 36, wherein when the locking element is
advanced beyond the first cross section, the one or more tabs move
to the locked position.
38. The process of claim 36, further comprising the steps of:
actuating the levels to the releasing position; and advancing the
locking element in the first direction past the first cross
section.
39. The process of claim 36, wherein the step of providing an
elongate member further includes providing one or more surfaces on
the elongate member in the second direction from the first cross
section adapted to receive one or more tabs and wherein the step of
advancing the locking element further includes the step of rotating
the locking element so that one of the tabs aligns with one of the
surfaces such that when the tabs are in the locked position, the
locking device is prevented from rotating with respect to the
elongate member.
40. The process of claim 39, wherein the step of providing one or
more surfaces further includes the step of providing one or more
flat surfaces.
41. The process of claim 39, wherein the step of providing one or
more surfaces further includes the step of providing one or more
surfaces having a center portion and one or more longitudinal
ridges adjacent the center portion.
42. The process of claim 41, wherein the step of providing one or
more surfaces further includes the step of providing center
surfaces which are flat.
43. The process of claim 41, wherein the step of providing one or
more surfaces further includes the step of providing center
surfaces which conform to the tabs.
44. The process of claim 41, wherein the step of providing one or
more surfaces further includes the step of providing two adjacent
longitudinal ridges.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention generally pertains to apparatus and
methods for deploying and retrieving a medical device from an
elongate member. More particularly, the present invention generally
pertains to apparatus and methods useful for locking a medical
device on an elongate member and subsequently releasing the medical
device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Embodiments of the invention pertain to a selectively
locking element that may be attached to a medical device such as a
filter or therapeutic deliver device and may be disposed on an
elongate member such as a guidewire. The selectively locking
element enables the medical device to be disposed on the elongate
member such that it will stay on the elongate member past a
transition region. The elongate member should be configured to
enable the selectively locking element to lock. This may be done by
providing a first region of the elongate member that has a distance
to the central longitudinal axis that is less than the distance to
the central longitudinal axis of a proximal region in a direction
along the central longitudinal axis. A guidewire having a raised
region on it would be an example of an elongate member that enables
the selectively locking element. The selectively locking element
may comprise one or more tabs and corresponding levers, where the
tabs have a locked position and a released position and the levers
have a corresponding locking position and releasing position. The
tabs may be biased to the locked position. When the selectively
locking element is moved in a first longitudinal direction over the
first region, the tabs may move into the locked position,
preventing moving of the selectively locking element back in the
second longitudinal direction. A catheter or other object may be
used to move the levers to the releasing position, thereby moving
the tabs to the released position and allowing movement of the
selectively locking element in the second direction. Various
centering elements may be used. For example, centering arms may be
attached to the levers, such that when the levers are moved to the
releasing position, the centering arms position the selectively
locking element centrally about the elongate member. A centering
frame may extend from the selectively locking element in the second
direction over a region of the guidewire in a second direction from
the first region and thereby keep the locking element centered with
respect to the elongate member. The elongate member may also
include an anti-rotation features, which may be used to orient the
selectively locking element remotely. These anti-rotation features
may include one or more flat regions on the elongate member, or one
or more longitudinal grooves or ridges. Radial or longitudinal
radiopaque markings may be used. These embodiments, variations
thereon, and other embodiments, together with advantages thereof,
will be discussed at length below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] FIG. 1 is an orthographic view of an embodiment in
accordance with the invention;
[0004] FIG. 2 is an orthographic view of the embodiment of FIG. 1
on an elongate member in accordance with the invention;
[0005] FIG. 3 is an orthographic view of the embodiment of FIG. 1
on a different portion of the elongate member of FIG. 2 in
accordance with the invention;
[0006] FIG. 4 is an orthographic view of the embodiment of FIG. 1
on the portion of the elongate member of FIG. 3 partially disposed
in a catheter in accordance with the invention;
[0007] FIG. 5 is an orthographic view of the embodiment of FIG. 1
attached to a filter in accordance with the invention;
[0008] FIG. 6 is an orthographic view of an embodiment disposed on
an elongate member in accordance with the invention;
[0009] FIG. 7 is an orthographic view of an embodiment of the
invention disposed on an elongate member in accordance with the
invention;
[0010] FIG. 8 is an orthographic view of an embodiment of the
invention disposed on an elongate member in accordance with the
invention; and
[0011] FIG. 9 is an orthographic view of an embodiment of the
invention disposed on an elongate member in accordance with the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The following detailed description should be read with
reference to the drawings in which like elements in different
drawings are number in like fashion. The drawings, which are not
necessarily to scale, depict selected embodiments and are not
intended to limit the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the
art will recognize that many of the examples provided have suitable
alternatives that may be utilized.
[0013] FIG. 1 is an orthographic view of a locking element 100
attached to a medical device 108 in accordance with the present
invention. As will be readily appreciated from further description,
medical device 108 may be any suitable medical device such as a
filter or therapeutic delivery device. Locking element 100 includes
tabs 102, which move between a locked position and a released
position. In this figure, tabs 102 are shown in a locked position
and in this embodiment, tabs 102 are biased to be in a locked
position. Locking element 100 also includes levers 104, which move
between a locking position and a released position. In this figure,
levers 104 are shown in a locking position and in this embodiment,
levers 104 are biased to be in a locking position. Tabs 102 and
levers 104 are disposed on frame 106, through which a lumen 110 is
disposed. The free ends of tabs 102 are in a first direction from
the fixed ends of tabs 102. Likewise, the fixed ends of tabs 102
are in a second direction from the free ends of tabs 102. These
reference directions will remain constant throughout the several
embodiments described. Centering arms 112 may be attached to the
second direction ends of levers 104. While medical device 108 is
attached to locking element 100 through struts 114 extending in a
second direction from frame 106, it may be readily appreciated that
medical device 108 may be attached through other means such as to
levers 104 or centering arms 112.
[0014] The number and configuration of tabs 102 and levers 104 is,
of course, not limited to that depicted in FIG. 1. While three tabs
102 and three levers 104 are depicted, embodiments employing as few
as one tab 102 or one lever 104 have been contemplated. Likewise,
embodiments employing more tabs 102 or levers 104 have been
contemplated and the number of tabs or levers used is limited only
by the engineering considerations of the particular embodiment.
Similarly, although tabs 102 and levers 104 are shown in FIG. 1 to
be in longitudinal alignment, embodiments have been contemplated
where tabs 102 and levers 104 are not in alignment. Alignment of
tabs 102 and levers 104 is not essential to the invention. As an
example, the tabs and levers will, of course, not be in
longitudinal alignment when the number of tabs and levers differs.
The tabs and levers will be connected to each other such that
moving one or more levers from the locking to the releasing
position moves one or more tabs from the locked to the released
position. In the embodiment shown, tabs 102, levers 104 and frame
106 form a monolith unit. When levers 104 are moved from the
locking position to the releasing position, a force is transmitted
through the frame to tabs 102 to move the tabs to the released
position. Other means of connecting the levers and the tabs are
contemplated, however. One such means is connecting the levers to
the rods using gears or hinges. Another means is making a lever and
a tab monolithic and pivotably attaching it to the frame using a
spring to provide bias towards the locking position.
[0015] Locking element 100 may include elements such as radiopaque
bands or longitudinal strips to ease radial and longitudinal
position of the device.
[0016] Turning to FIG. 2, one can see locking element 100 disposed
on elongate member 216. Elongate member 216 has portion 218 in the
first direction and portion 220 in the second direction. The
transition between portion 218 and portion 220 is shown as a smooth
transition with no sharp edges. The transition need not have this
characteristic. Among other examples of suitable transitions, the
transition may be a stepwise transition or be a simple
frustoconical section, for example. Elongate member 216 is shown as
having a circular cross section of uniform shape, but locking
element 100 is not limited to being used with elongate members
having this characteristic. Elongate member 216 may have any cross
sectional shape where a portion of the elongate member in the first
direction fits through frame 10. The cross sectional shape may, for
example, be rectangular, triangular, or even irregular. Nor does a
cross section at portion 220 need to be smaller than a cross
section at portion 210. Portion 220 may have a longer perimeter or
a larger cross sectional area than portion 218. What is important
is that there is a surface region on portion 220 where the distance
from the region to the central longitudinal axis of elongate member
216 is less than the distance from a surface region of portion 218
to the longitudinal axis. Thus, for example, an elongate member of
generally uniform and circular cross section would suffice if there
were a channel in the elongate member in portion 220. Likewise, an
elongate member whose portion 220 was flattened and thereby had a
reduced cross sectional thickness but an increased cross sectional
width would also suffice. An elongate member of generally constant
cross section that has a small region of increased or decreased
cross sectional area may work as well.
[0017] Locking element 100 is disposed on portion 218 of elongate
member 216. At this portion, tabs 102 are displaced outward by
elongate member 216, allowing locking element move freely in the
first and second directions.
[0018] Turning now to FIG. 3, locking element 100 is disposed on
portion 220 of elongate member 216. Tabs 102 are in a locked
position, preventing locking element 100 from being moved in the
first direction onto portion 218.
[0019] Turning now to FIG. 4, locking element 100 is disposed on
portion 220 of elongate member 216. A catheter 222 is moved on
locking element 100 in a second direction. Catheter 222 is sized to
move levers 104 from a locking position to a releasing position.
When levers 104 are in the releasing position, tabs 102 are moved
to the released position and locking element 100 may be moved
freely in the first or second direction. Of course, locking element
100 need not be operated using a catheter and other means of moving
levers 104 are contemplated. For example, levers 104 could be
operated manually or they could be wrapped in a band which shrinks
after a period of time or a change of temperature. When levers 104
are in the releasing position, the free ends of centering arms 112
abut against elongate member 216 and generally center locking
element 100 with respect to elongate member 216. This may ease the
removal of locking element 100.
[0020] FIG. 5 is an orthographic view illustrating one use for a
locking element 500, substantially similar to locking element 100.
Locking element 500 is attached with struts 514 to filter 524,
allowing the filter to be selectively locked on a guidewire, for
example.
[0021] FIG. 6 is an orthographic view illustrating a locking
element 600 according to the invention. Locking element 600 has two
limbs 624, each of which has a tab 602 and a lever 604. Levers 604
move between a locking and a releasing position and thereby move
tabs 602 between a locked position and a released position. Tabs
602 may be biased to the locked position. Limbs 624 are connected
to frame 606 from which may extend in a first and a second
direction struts 614. Tubes 608 or medical devices may be attached
to the struts. Locking element 600 may be disposed on elongate
member 616 which has a portion in the first direction 618 and a
portion in the second direction 620. Portion 620 has a surface
region which is closer to the longitudinal axis than a surface
region of portion 618. When locking element 600 is on portion 620
of elongate member 616 and tabs 602 are in the locked position, the
locking element will be prevented from moving in the first
direction onto portion 618. The tube 608 in the first direction
from locking element 600 may have a centering function. When
locking element 600 is on the portion 620 and tabs 602 are in the
locked position, the tube may stay on portion 618 and thereby keep
the locking element centered with respect to the elongate
member.
[0022] FIG. 7 is an orthographic view illustrating a locking
element 700 in accordance with the invention. Locking element 700
has a tab 702 attached to a lever 704. It is of course contemplated
that the embodiment of FIG. 7 may have more than one set of tabs
and levers. Lever 704 moves between a locking and a releasing
position and thereby moves tab 702 between a locked position and a
released position. Lever 704 is attached to frame 706. Extending in
a second direction from frame 706 are struts 714, which may be
connected to a medical device such as a filter or therapeutic
deliver system. Locking element 700 is disposed on an elongate
member 716. Elongate member has portion 718 and portion 720.
Portion 720 contains a surface region where the distance from that
surface region to a central longitudinal axis is less than the
distance from a surface region of portion 718 to the central
longitudinal axis. Portion 720 also has ridges 726 disposed on
either side of this surface region. Tab 702 is adapted to fit
within these ridges when it is in the locked position, thereby
preventing rotation of the locking element with respect to the
elongate member. This feature may be useful to orient the locking
member and attached medical device remotely. Locking element 700
also includes a longitudinal radiopaque stripe 730. This radiopaque
stripe may be used to determine the position of the locking
element.
[0023] FIG. 8 is an orthographic view illustrating a locking
element 800 disposed on an elongate member 816 in accordance with
the invention. Locking element 800 includes tabs 802, which may
move between a locked position and a released position, and levers
804, which may move between a locking position and a releasing
position. Tabs 802 and levers 804 are attached to a frame 806.
Struts may extend in both directions from this frame, attached to
medical or other devices. Centering elements 812 may be attached to
the levers 804. When levers 804 are moved to the releasing
position, tabs 802 are moved to the released position, thereby
allowing locking device 800 to move over portion 818 of elongate
member 816.
[0024] FIG. 9 is an orthographic view illustrating a locking
element 900 disposed on an elongate member 916 in accordance with
the invention. Locking element 900 has a tab 902 attached to a
lever 904. It is of course contemplated that the embodiment of FIG.
9 may have more than one set of tabs and levers. Lever 904 moves
between a locking and a releasing position and thereby moves tab
902 between a locked position and a released position. Tab 902 and
lever 904 are attached to a frame 906. Struts may extend in a
second direction from frame 906, which may be connected to a
medical device such as a filter or therapeutic deliver system.
Locking element 900 is disposed on an elongate member 916. Elongate
member has portion 918 and portion 920. Portion 920 contains a
surface region where the distance from that surface region to a
central longitudinal axis is less than the distance from a surface
region of portion 918 to the central longitudinal axis. Portion 920
also has groove 928 disposed on portion 920. Tab 902 is adapted to
fit in groove 928 when it is in the locked position, thereby
preventing rotation of the locking element with respect to the
elongate member. This feature may be useful to orient the locking
member and attached medical device remotely.
[0025] In use, the locking element may be attached to a filter,
therapeutic delivery device, or other medical device. The locking
element may be slid in a distal direction over an elongate member.
The elongate member will have a second portion in the second
direction with a surface region that is closer to the central
longitudinal axis of the elongate member than a surface region of a
first portion of the elongate member. When the locking element is
over the second portion, one or more tabs will move into the locked
position, preventing movement in the first direction. To then allow
the locking device to move in the first direction, the levers may
be moved from the locking position to the releasing position
thereby moving the tabs from the locked position to the released
position. When the tabs are in the released position, the locking
element may then be moved in the first direction.
[0026] As an illustrative example, suppose the selectively locking
filter apparatus of FIG. 5 is put on a guidewire having a
stepwise-reduced diameter, where the smaller diameter is distal the
larger diameter, inserted percutaneously into a patient. The filter
apparatus may be put into a catheter to reduce the diameter of the
filter and advanced distally into the patient. When the filter
apparatus is on the larger diameter portion of the guidewire, the
tabs will be forced to a released position by the guidewire. When
the filter apparatus passes the stepwise transition, the tabs will
fall into the locked position and the catheter may be withdrawn. A
catheter may then be introduced over the filter apparatus again,
moving the levers to the releasing position and allowing the filter
to be moved proximally off the guidewire.
[0027] The locking element may be made from any number of
biocompatible materials. If the locking element is unitary, a
combination of flexibility where the material bends at the frame
and rigidity in the tabs and levers may be desirable. Merely as
examples and not as an exhaustive list, such material may include
metals such as stainless steel or Nitinol or may include plastics
like nylon or polyvinylchloride. The material may be formed into
the locking element or parts of the locking element by laser
cutting, molding, welding, brazing or other process well known in
the art.
[0028] It will be understood that this disclosure, in many
respects, is only illustrative. Changes may be made in details,
particularly in matters of shape, size, material, and arrangement
of parts without exceeding the scope of the invention. Those
skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention may be
manifested in a variety of forms other than the specific
embodiments described and contemplated herein. Accordingly,
departures in form and detail may be made without departing from
the scope and spirit of the present invention as described in the
appended claims.
* * * * *