Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
604164030 | Having means for expanding portion of body entering conduit | 29 |
20080215008 | EXPANDABLE TRANS-SEPTAL SHEATH - Disclosed is an expandable transluminal sheath, for introduction into the body while in a first, low cross-sectional area configuration, and subsequent expansion of at least a part of the distal end of the sheath to a second, enlarged cross-sectional configuration. The sheath is configured for use in the vascular system and has utility in the performance of procedures in the left atrium. The access route is through the inferior vena cava to the right atrium, where a trans-septal puncture, followed by advancement of the catheter is completed. The distal end of the sheath is maintained in the first, low cross-sectional configuration during advancement to the right atrium and through the atrial septum into the left atrium. The distal end of the sheath is subsequently expanded using a radial dilatation device. In an exemplary application, the sheath is utilized to provide access for a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure such as electrophysiological mapping of the heart, radio-frequency ablation of left atrial tissue, placement of left atrial implants, mitral valve repair, or the like. | 09-04-2008 |
20080243081 | EXPANDABLE TRANS-SEPTAL SHEATH - Disclosed is an expandable transluminal sheath, for introduction into the body while in a first, low cross-sectional area configuration, and subsequent expansion of at least a part of the distal end of the sheath to a second, enlarged cross-sectional configuration. The sheath is configured for use in the vascular system and has utility in the performance of procedures in the left atrium. The access route is through the inferior vena cava to the right atrium, where a trans-septal puncture, followed by advancement of the catheter is completed. The distal end of the sheath is maintained in the first, low cross-sectional configuration during advancement to the right atrium and through the atrial septum into the left atrium. The distal end of the sheath is subsequently expanded using a radial dilatation device. In an exemplary application, the sheath is utilized to provide access for a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure such as electrophysiological mapping of the heart, radio-frequency ablation of left atrial tissue, placement of left atrial implants, mitral valve repair, or the like. | 10-02-2008 |
20080300544 | EXPANDABLE SHEATH INTRODUCER - The disclosure relates to an a catheter sheath introducer that is capable of being expanded from first diameter to second diameter in order to accommodate differently sized medical devices to be introduced by the sheath introducer. The device is structured such that it does not foreshorten when expanded. | 12-04-2008 |
20090018507 | SPINAL ACCESS SYSTEM AND METHOD - Described herein are devices and systems for accessing a spine and particularly the epidural region of the spine and methods of using these systems and devices to access the spine or regions of the spine. In particular, cannulas that may be anchored to the ligamentum flavum or the periosteum are described. Ligamentum flavum access tools are also described. These tools may be used with (or without) an anchoring cannula to penetrate the ligamentum flavum and provide access to the epidural space without risk of injury to other structures within the epidural space. The devices, methods and systems described herein are particularly useful in minimally invasive surgical (MIS) uses. The devices, methods and systems described herein may be used for performing spinal decompressions and other spinal procedures. | 01-15-2009 |
20090105652 | INTRODUCER INCLUDING SHAPED DISTAL REGION - An introducer for providing intravascular access to a patient is disclosed, and includes a dilator and sheath that are configured to prevent peelback, or “fishmouthing,” of the sheath during introducer advancement. In one embodiment, the introducer comprises a dilator including a distal tapered region, and a sheath including an inner bore that receives the dilator such that a portion of the tapered region of the dilator extends from the sheath distal end. A distal outer surface of the sheath includes a first curved portion defined by a first radius and extending proximally from the distal end of the sheath to a first end point, and a second curved portion defined by a second radius and extending proximally from the first end point to a second end point. Additionally, an interference fit is established between the dilator tapered region and the sheath distal end to further prevent sheath end deformation. | 04-23-2009 |
20090182278 | EXPANDABLE GUIDE SHEATH AND APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR USING SUCH SHEATHS - Apparatus and methods are provided for accessing body lumens and/or for delivering instruments into body lumens, e.g., vessels within a patient's vasculature. A flexible sheath is provided that is expandable from a contracted condition to an enlarged condition wherein the sheath at least partially defines a lumen therein. The sheath is lubricious and has a relatively thin wall, thereby providing a collapsible/expandable guide for delivering fluids and/or instruments through tortuous anatomy and/or into relatively narrow passages. The sheath is advanced from an entry site to a body lumen in the contracted condition. Once the sheath reaches a target body lumen, the sheath is expanded to the enlarged condition, thereby defining a lumen within the sheath, and fluids and/or instruments are introduced into the body lumen via the sheath lumen. Upon completing the procedure, the sheath is removed from the body lumen. | 07-16-2009 |
20090240202 | Expandable introducer sheath - An expandable introducer sheath can actively be induced to reduce in diameter or enlarge in diameter due to a braided internal structure that has axial strands connected to its distal end. The introducer sheath is delivered to the blood vessel or other tubular member of the body in a smaller diameter configuration with the axial strands in compression. The catheter is flexible and can be delivered to eccentrically shaped and tortuous vessels. Once the catheter is in position, the axial strands are placed into tension to cause the introducer sheath to assume a larger diameter configuration that will help straighten out tortuous vessels. The access site into the blood vessel is expanded via a radial expansion that is less traumatic. Passage of a larger interventional catheter can proceed through the larger diameter sheath configuration. If the interventional catheter has a smaller shaft, the introducer sheath can be reduced in diameter to come into close approximation with the shaft to reduce the opening size at the access site. The sheath can be removed over time with incremental reductions in its diameter to allow the access site time to relax to a smaller size for improved vascular sealing. | 09-24-2009 |
20090312710 | EXPANDABLE SURGICAL PORTAL - Systems, kits, and methods for establishing percutaneous access are described. A system typically includes a deformable variable diameter cannula sleeve (DVDCS) and a guidewire. The DVDCS will generally have two states, an initial, un-activated condition and a second, activated condition, brought about and controlled under the discretion of the operator. The methods comprise creating an initial access point and tissue tract with a needle, positioning a guidewire through the initial tissue tract, passing the deformable variable diameter cannula sleeve over the guidewire through the tissue tract to a target blood vessel or cavity, and activating the DVDCS to effect radial deformation of the surrounding tissue. Use of the DVDCS reduces the risk of injuring tissue surrounding the tissue tract by lessening the axial forces imparted to the tissue. Kits comprise at least one deformable variable diameter cannula sleeve together with instructions for use. | 12-17-2009 |
20100010445 | CONNECTOR SYSTEM FOR A PROXIMALLY TRIMMABLE CATHETER - A catheter connector system for a subcutaneously placed catheter. The catheter connector system permits proximal trimming of the placed catheter, which is a procedure that provides numerous advantages over traditional methods of trimming catheter distal ends prior to implantation. The catheter connector system can be configured for a single lumen catheter or a multiple lumen catheter. The catheter connector system facilitates precise positioning of both distal and proximal ends of a catheter, providing enhanced functionability and patient comfort. | 01-14-2010 |
20100022957 | Medical Instrument With laterally Displaceable Seal - A medical instrument has a cannula, a seal disposed in said cannula, said seal has an opening for guiding a shaft of another instrument through said seal in a sealed manner. An expansion device serves for expanding said opening in said seal. Said expansion device has an expansion cone comprising a plurality of slats mounted pivotably on an annular body at a first end, a second end of said slots opposite to said first end being connected to said seal in an area of said opening. A flexible casing structure is provided accommodating said seal and said expansion device. | 01-28-2010 |
20100057009 | INTRODUCER FOR USE IN INSERTING A MEDICAL DEVICE INTO A BODY VESSEL AND METHOD FOR SAME - In at least one embodiment of the present invention, an introducer for use in inserting a medical device into a body vessel of a patient is provided. The introducer comprises a housing having a proximal opening, a distal opening and a chamber extending therebetween. A seal in diaphragm form is disposed in the chamber. The seal is formed of polymeric material having a first phase transition temperature higher than about body temperature and a second phase transition temperature that is less than the first phase transition temperature but is greater than about room temperature. The seal is in a first configuration and has an opening formed therethrough when at about room temperature for advancing the medical device through the seal. The seal self-configures to a second configuration when at a temperature of at least the second phase transition temperature for obstructing the body fluid from flowing through the opening of the seal. | 03-04-2010 |
20100130937 | INTRODUCER SHEATH AND METHODS OF MAKING - An introducer sheath and methods of making the introducer sheath are described. The introducer sheath may include a hub portion and a tubular portion. The tubular portion may extend from the hub portion. A lumen may extend between a proximal end and a distal end of the tubular portion. At least a portion of an inner surface and/or outer surface of the tubular member may be irregular. | 05-27-2010 |
20100152664 | TROCAR ENTRY INCORPORATING AN AIRBAG - A safety trocar assembly incorporating an airbag is provided to prevent overpenetration of the safety trocar assembly through an abdominal wall and into a body cavity. The safety trocar assembly includes an airbag cannula having an expandable airbag proximal of the distal end of the cannula. A sensing device is located at a distal end of the cannula for detecting changes in conditions at the distal end of the cannula. A trigger mechanism is provided on the cannula and operates to inflate the airbag in response to a change in condition detected by the sensing device. | 06-17-2010 |
20100312189 | FLEXIBLE CANNULA DEVICES AND METHODS - Various devices and methods are provided for dilating tissue. In one embodiment, a trocar cannula is provided and includes an elongate tubular member defining an inner lumen extending therethrough and configured to receive a surgical instrument therethrough. The tubular member is configured to radially expand to increase an inner diameter of the inner lumen and thereby dilate tissue. In one embodiment, the tubular member has an expansion element incorporated therein and the expansion element is configured to maintain the tubular member in a radially expanded position when no instrument is disposed within the inner lumen. | 12-09-2010 |
20110004162 | ACCESS DEVICE - A device may include a hollow needle, a dilator mounted coaxially on the needle, and a sheath mounted coaxially on the dilator. The dilator may be slideably displaceable relative to the sheath. | 01-06-2011 |
20110077597 | LOW PROFILE INSTRUMENT ACCESS DEVICE - A low profile surgical access device includes an elongated cannula having an opening defined at a proximal end thereof including an inner peripheral surface dimensioned to facilitate passage of instrumentation therethrough and an outer peripheral surface configured to operatively engage and removably secure to tissue via, e.g., fixation ribs, adhesive, anchors, clips, suction elements, expandable materials and/or combinations thereof. A valve is operatively coupled to the elongated cannula and provides a substantially fluid tight seal when instrumentation is inserted through the cannula. A seal housing is included which is positionable relative to the cannula and which is configured to operatively engage and removably secure to tissue. The instrument seal in the seal housing is positioned in vertical registry with the valve in the elongated cannula. | 03-31-2011 |
20110106012 | Sheath Introducer with Self-Anchoring Mechanism - An assembly for accessing a vessel comprises an elongate housing having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, and a distal end opposite the proximal end. The housing includes a base extending from the proximal end, an elongated tubular extending from the distal end to the base, and a throughbore extending axially from the proximal end to the distal end. In addition, the assembly comprises a stylet extending axially through the throughbore of the housing. The stylet has a proximal end comprising an actuation head external the throughbore of the housing, and a distal end opposite the proximal end of the stylet. Further, the assembly comprises an expandable member coupled to the distal end of the housing or the distal end of the stylet. The expandable member has an expanded position with a first diameter and an unexpanded position with a second diameter that is less than the first diameter. Further, the stylet is adapted to transition the expandable member between the unexpanded position and the unexpanded position by moving axially through the housing. | 05-05-2011 |
20110144589 | INVERTED CONICAL EXPANDABLE RETRACTOR - Access devices and related methods are disclosed that generally involve flexible or adjustable cannulas that have a substantially cylindrical insertion configuration and a substantially conical expanded configuration. Various methods and features are provided for transitioning the cannula from the insertion configuration to the expanded configuration while the access device is inserted through tissue to form a conical opening through the tissue. Examples include cables, biasing elements, retaining elements, bimodal rings, and coil springs. The devices and methods disclosed herein can allow for improved retention of the access device, improved angulation of instruments passed through the access device, and can increase the integrity of a seal formed between the access device and surrounding tissue. | 06-16-2011 |
20110202006 | ACCESS DEVICE - An access device places a medical article within a body space of a patient. The device has a needle that includes an elongated body, a side fenestration on the elongated body, and a needle hub. The device further includes a dilator disposed on and slideable along the elongated body of the needle and a medical article. The medical article is disposed on and slideable along the dilator. The dilator and the needle form one or more spaces in communication with the side fenestration. At least portions of the dilator and the medical article are configured so as to allow visual determination of the presence of a bodily fluid within the space. The outer surface of the needle and the inner surface of the dilator can include a surfactant. Further, at least one of the needle and dilator can further comprise a vent in communication with the space that allows for the escape of air from the space and inhibits the escape of the bodily fluid from the space. | 08-18-2011 |
20120083740 | Introducer Sheath for Catheters - An introducer sheath includes a tubular body portion having a proximal region and a distal region, and defines an internal lumen configured and dimensioned to slidably receive a catheter. A penetrating portion at a distal end of the tubular body has a first tapered configuration to enlarge an opening in a body tissue during distal advancement of the introducer sheath through the body tissue and a second expanded configuration to enable the passage of a distal end portion of a catheter through the penetrating portion. | 04-05-2012 |
20120157921 | Catheter For Reduced Reflux in Targeted Tissue Delivery of a Therapeutic Agent - A therapeutic agent delivery system that includes a catheter having a proximal end and an opposite distal end. The catheter has a body with a lumen defined therein. The body of the catheter includes a non-bulbous region having a substantially uniform outer diameter and a bulbous region made from an elastically deformable material. While in a first state the bulbous region has a maximum outer diameter greater than the substantially uniform outer diameter of the non-bulbous region; and while in a second state the maximum outer diameter of the bulbous region is reduced relative to that while in the first state. | 06-21-2012 |
20120271234 | TROCAR ENTRY INCORPORATING AN AIRBAG - A safety trocar assembly incorporating an airbag is provided to prevent overpenetration of the safety trocar assembly through an abdominal wall and into a body cavity. The safety trocar assembly includes an airbag cannula having an expandable airbag proximal of the distal end of the cannula. A sensing device is located at a distal end of the cannula for detecting changes in conditions at the distal end of the cannula. A trigger mechanism is provided on the cannula and operates to inflate the airbag in response to a change in condition detected by the sensing device. | 10-25-2012 |
20120323180 | INTRODUCER SHEATH FOR CATHETERS - An introducer sheath includes a tubular body portion having a proximal region and a distal region, and defines an internal lumen configured and dimensioned to slidably receive a catheter. A penetrating portion at a distal end of the tubular body has a first tapered configuration to enlarge an opening in a body tissue during distal advancement of the introducer sheath through the body tissue and a second expanded configuration to enable the passage of a distal end portion of a catheter through the penetrating portion. | 12-20-2012 |
20130030369 | VASCULAR INTRODUCER INCLUDING EXPANDABLE PASSAGE MEMBER - Vascular introducer systems, kits, and methods providing or creating access to vessels, such as radial or femoral arteries, are disclosed. A vascular introducer system includes a removable inner tubular member, a removable outer tubular, tear-away member, and an expandable passage member positioned between the inner and outer tubular members. The removable inner tubular member and the removable outer tubular, tear-away member help protect and maintain a contracted configuration of the expandable passage member when the introducer system is advanced into a vessel. The expandable passage member includes an inner surface configured to receive an elongate treatment device, for example, following removal of the inner and outer tubular members. In some examples, the expandable passage member includes one or more kink-resistant members extending along a portion of the passage member. In various examples, the expandable passage member includes a wall thickness sufficient to protect vessel surfaces, while preserving vessel access size. | 01-31-2013 |
20130267900 | Medical Instrument With A Flexible Sealing System Via Spherical Heads - A medical instrument has a cannula and a seal disposed in the cannula. An expansion device serves for expanding an opening in the seal for guiding shafts of other instruments of greater diameter in a sealed manner through the expanded opening. The expansion device has an expansion cone with a plurality of slats mounted pivotably on an annular body at a first end thereof, a second end of the slats being connected to the seal in an area of the opening. The slats are connected at its first ends to the annular body via spherical heads engaged into corresponding openings in the annular body. | 10-10-2013 |
20140081210 | ACCESS DEVICE - An access device for placing a medical article within a body space includes a needle, a dilator, and a sheath. The needle can include an elongated needle body and a hub from which the needle body extends. The dilator can be slideably disposed on the needle body and include a dilator hub and an elongated dilator shaft that extends from the dilator hub. The sheath can include a tubular sheath body disposed on the dilator and a sheath hub coupled with the tubular sheath body. The tubular sheath body can include a material that exhibits a reduced rigidity upon exposure to heat. | 03-20-2014 |
20140121603 | AGENT DELIVERY CATHETER HAVING RADIALLY EXPANDABLE CENTERING SUPPORT MEMBER - A catheter for delivering an agent to an injection site in a wall of a patient's body lumen, with an elongated shaft having a needle-through lumen slidably containing a needle therein, and an expandable member on the distal shaft section which has a collapsed configuration and a radially expanded configuration. In the radially expanded configuration, the expandable member supports the shaft in a position spaced away from the body lumen wall, and the needle slidably exits the needle-through lumen in the extended configuration through the port spaced away from the body lumen wall as a portion of the expandable member maintains the position of the port section of the shaft in the body lumen. The expandable member typically has an open-walled, helical, or lobed configuration providing a perfusion path along the expandable member. | 05-01-2014 |
20140142509 | EXPANDABLE ACCESS SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Embodiments may include an expandable access system having contracted and expanded configurations. The system and methods may include an expandable access device having a helix or wrapped shape. Embodiments may include a cannula, stent, needle, trocar, introducer, fastener, and/or any other devices disclosed herein. Embodiments may also include an expandable trocar positionable in at least a portion of the access device. A sleeve or band may be disposed over at least a portion of the access device and configured to resist radial expansion of the access device. Expansion of the trocar and/or receipt of an object may radially expand the access device between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration. | 05-22-2014 |
20140236088 | EXPANDABLE SHEATH AND SYSTEM FOR INTRAVASCULAR INSERTION OF A MEDICAL IMPLEMENT USING THE SAME - The expandable sheath and system for intravascular insertion of a medical implement includes a cannula for entering a lumen of a vascular vessel of a patient, a guide wire insertable into the lumen, an introducer and dilator adapted to follow the guide wire into the lumen, an expandable sheath positioned on the introducer and dilator, with the expandable sheath being adapted to be positioned in the vessel, and an extension collar. The medical implement is received within the vessel by passing through the sheath upon separating the introducer and dilator therefrom. In one embodiment, a linear array of perforations formed through the expandable sheath allow for expansion. Alternatively, an external slit may be provided for selective expansion of the sheath. | 08-21-2014 |