Catheter cutting tool

#All publications and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

#Intravascular catheters are widely used to deliver a variety of medical devices to a target location within a patient. Many catheters include an intermediate braided layer that provides sufficient strength to provide torque transmission and to prevent the catheter from kinking while being advanced within the patient. A catheter can also be visualized using radiographic techniques such as fluoroscopy by incorporating radiopaque materials into the materials. It is common to incorporate a larger percentage of radiopaque materials in the distal tip than in other regions of the catheter. In addition, the distal end of a catheter is frequently required to be more flexible than the rest of the catheter to prevent damage to the vasculature as it is advanced through the patient.

#One method of cutting, or trimming, a catheter distal tip to a desired length is to place a pin inside of the distal end of the catheter and to simply roll the catheter on a level surface while pressing a sharp edge (e.g., a razor blade) into contact with the catheter. The cutting element thereby trims the distal end of the catheter to the specified length. After cutting the catheter, the pin is removed, a measurement is taken of the distal tip of the catheter, and the process is repeated if necessary to bring the distal tip dimension length into tolerance. This method can result in non-square cuts (cuts that are not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the catheter), debris remaining on the distal end, and inaccurate distal tip lengths.

#The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the claims that follow. A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the invention are utilized, and the accompanying drawings wherein:

#FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an exemplary cutting tool.

#FIGS. 1A and 1B show an exemplary catheter cutting body.

#The invention relates generally to a cutting tool for cutting a catheter or other elongate medical delivery tool. More particularly, the invention relates to a cutting tool for accurately and reliably cutting a distal end or a proximal end of a catheter to a specified length without having to use visual markers as a datum for cut length measurement.

#FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of catheter cutting tool 2 (catheter 4 is also shown). Cutting tool 2 includes support 10 which includes baseplate 11 and vertical support 12. Cutting tool 2 also includes catheter cutting body 20. Cutting body 20 includes a channel defining a cutting body bore 22 therethrough to receive catheter clamp 30. Catheter clamp 30 includes catheter clamp body 32 and collet 34. Clamp body 30 has a channel which defines clamp body bore 33 therein to receive collet 34. Collet 34 has a channel which defines collet bore 31 therethrough for receiving catheter 4. Catheter clamp 30 also includes gear 36, screw bore 35 which receives screw 38, and locking pin bore 37 which receives locking pin 39.

#In one specific embodiment the clamp body bore is about 0.375 inches in diameter and the collet bore is between about 0.125 and 0.128 inches in diameter.