Valve loader method, system, and apparatus
AssigneeSpiration, Inc.
InventorsErik Liljegren, Desmond O'Connell, Evelyn Hall
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A valve loading system is provided that uses a valve loader to transfer a valve or other medical device from a storage cartridge into a deployment catheter. The valve or other medical device can be implanted or positioned within a patient using the catheter after the valve or other medical device has been compressed and loaded into the catheter using the valve loader. The process then can be repeated by using the valve loading system to load or introduce another valve or other medical device into the catheter.
Claims22
A method of manufacturing a catheter, the method comprising the steps of
- extruding an annular shaped valve marker, the valve marker comprising a first material;
- subjecting the valve marker to electric beam radiation or chemical cross linking through use of peroxide to cross link the polymer chains of the first material in the valve marker;
- overlaying the valve marker on a mandrel;
- overlaying an annular bonding layer around an outer surface of the valve marker, bonding layer comprising the first material;
- overlaying a heat shrink tube around an outer surface of the bonding layer;
- and
- reflowing the valve marker, bonding layer, and heat shrink tube;
- wherein the bonding layer and valve marker are bonded together and the valve marker is not melted.
A deployment catheter for deployment of a medical device, the deployment catheter comprising:
- a catheter shaft comprising a proximal end and a distal end and a lumen extending through the catheter shaft, the catheter shaft being formed from a braided material overlaid with a polymer;
- a first cavity inside a distal portion of the catheter shaft adapted to receive a medical device, wherein the medical device is a valve;
- and
- a stabilization wire extending through the lumen of the catheter shaft, the stabilization wire comprising a second cavity disposed at a distal end of the stabilization wire, the second cavity configured to receive at least a portion of the medical device, wherein the catheter shaft retracts relative to the stabilization wire during deployment of the medical device.
A deployment catheter comprising:
- a catheter shaft comprising a proximal end and a distal end and a lumen extending through the catheter shaft;
- a stabilization wire disposed at least partially within the catheter shaft;
- a proximal handle assembly, the proximal handle assembly comprising a sleeve slider and a sleeve slider housing coaxially arranged with the sleeve slider, the sleeve slider fixedly coupled with the catheter shaft, the sleeve slider housing fixedly coupled with the stabilization wire;
- and
- a frictional member disposed between the sleeve slider or stabilization wire and the sleeve slider housing to increase sliding friction between the sleeve slider or stabilization wire and the sleeve slider housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.