Slitting tool
AssigneeMedtronic, Inc.
InventorsKenneth C. Gardeski, Stanten C. Spear, Andrzej M. Malewicz, Jeremy J. Odegard
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A slitting tool is provided for severing a tubular body such as the body of an introducer or a guide catheter that is positioned around an implantable medical device (IMD) such as a lead or another catheter. The slitting tool includes a body member that has a surface adapted to be gripped by a user. The surface includes a channel that is provided to align the IMD with respect to the body of the slitting tool. The gripping action of the user maintains the IMD within the channel such that the channel need not attach to the IMD. The slitting tool includes a cutting member coupled to the body member and positioned to sever the tubular body without severing the IMD.
Claims23
A slitting tool for use in severing a tubular body positioned around an implantable medical device (IMD), comprising:
- a body member having a top surface and a nose portion coupled to the top surface, the nose portion having a front surface and an inner surface, wherein the front surface and the inner surface define a solid tip portion;
- a gripping mechanism coupled to the body member to be pendent from the body member opposite the top surface;
- the top surface of the body member having an area adapted to receive a thumb when the tool is gripped by a user, the top surface having an open channel to accept an IMD, and whereby gripping action of the thumb of a user maintains the IMD within the channel;
- and
- a cutting member coupled to the inner surface of the nose section of the body member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.