TWISTED STENT
A stent is disclosed and can include a stent body having a longitudinal axis. The stent body can also have a network of struts that can define a plurality of cells defined between interconnected struts. Each of the plurality of cells includes a major axis that is angled with respect to the longitudinal axis to form a cell angle, b.
This application is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/753,909, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,265,636, filed May 25, 2007, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety into this application.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSUREThe present disclosure relates generally to surgical devices. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to stents and stent delivery devices.
BACKGROUNDVascular stenosis is an abnormal narrowing in a blood vessel. Vascular stenosis can include peripheral artery stenosis, coronary artery stenosis, carotid artery stenosis, and renal artery stenosis. There exist several ways to detect vascular stenosis. For example, a vascular stenosis can be detected using a stethoscope to amplify bruit, i.e., noise, within the blood vessel due to turbulent blood flow through the narrowed blood vessel. Alternatively, one or more imaging methods can be used to detect and locate a vascular stenosis. For example, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography can be used to detect and locate a vascular stenosis.
A common cause of vascular stenosis is atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis, aka, hardening of the arteries, is a disease that affects the arterial blood vessel. Atherosclerosis is caused by the formation of multiple plaques within the arteries. As plaque builds up within an artery, the diameter of the artery is reduced and results in a stenosis.
Vascular stenosis can be treated using a stent. A stent can be from a shape memory material or a non-shape memory material. A stent made from a non-shape memory material can be installed on a balloon catheter and then, threaded through a patient's cardiovascular system to the stenosis. Once the stent is in place within the stenosis, the balloon catheter can be inflated in order to deform the stent and move the stent to an expanded configuration. Thereafter, the balloon catheter can be deflated and withdrawn from the patient.
A stent made from a shape memory material can be installed on a catheter and a sleeve can be placed over the stent. The catheter and sleeve can be threaded through a patient's cardiovascular system to the stenosis. Once the stent is in place within the stenosis, the sleeve can be removed from the stent. When exposed to the patient's body temperature, the stent automatically can move to an expanded configuration that corresponds to a shape memory configuration.
A stent is disclosed and can include a stent body having a longitudinal axis. The stent body can also have a network of struts that can define a plurality of cells defined between interconnected struts. Each of the plurality of cells includes a major axis that is angled with respect to the longitudinal axis to form a cell angle, b.
In another embodiment, a stent is disclosed and can include a stent body having a proximal end and distal end. The stent body can also have a longitudinal axis. The stent is configured to collapse radially about the longitudinal axis as the proximal end is rotated with respect to the distal end.
In yet another embodiment, a method of preparing a stent for deployment is disclosed. The stent can have a proximal end and a distal end. The method can include grasping the proximal end of the stent, grasping the distal end of the stent, and rotating the proximal end and the distal end with respect to each other in order to move the stent to a collapsed configuration.
In still another embodiment, a stent delivery tool is disclosed and can include an inner carrier catheter. The inner carrier catheter can include a stent engagement area that can be configured to engage a twisted stent and prevent the twisted stent from rotating relative to the inner carrier catheter.
Description of a Stent Delivery DeviceReferring to
As illustrated in
As shown in
The stent delivery device 100 can also include a safety clip 140 installed between the body 102 of the stent delivery device 100 and the handle 128 of the inner carrier catheter 120. The safety clip 140 can include a proximal end 142 and a distal end 144. Further, the safety clip 140 can include a butterfly handle 146 between the proximal end 142 of the safety clip 140 and the distal end 144 of the safety clip 140. In a particular embodiment, the stent deliver device 100 can be installed between the body 102 of the stent delivery device 100 and the handle 128 of the inner carrier catheter 120 such that the proximal end 142 of the safety clip 140 abuts the distal end 132 of the handle 128 and the distal end 144 of the safety clip 140 abuts the proximal end 104 of the body 102.
The safety clip 140 can fit over the inner carrier catheter 120. Further, the safety clip 140 can prevent the body 102 of the stent delivery device 100 from moving relative to the handle 128 of the inner carrier catheter 120. Further, the safety clip 140 can prevent the outer sheath 110 from sliding relative to the inner carrier catheter 120. During use, the stent delivery device 100 can be threaded into a cardiovascular system of a patient to a target area. The radio opaque band 118 formed on the outer sheath 110 can be used to guide the stent delivery device into the cardiovascular system of a patient, e.g., with the aid of fluoroscopy. Further, a pair of radiopaque bands on the stent 126 can aid in positioning the stent 126 within the patient. Once the stent 126 is properly positioned, the butterfly handle 146 can be squeezed in order to remove the safety clip 140 from the inner carrier catheter 120 and the stent delivery device 100. Thereafter, the body 102 of the stent delivery device 100 can be moved toward the handle of the inner carrier catheter 120 in order to slide the outer sheath 110 off of the stent 126 and expose the stent 126 inside the patient.
Once the stent 126 is exposed within the patient, the stent 126 can be deployed within the patient by exposing the patient to a laser having a wavelength of approximately seven hundred and eighty nanometers (780 nm). The energy can melt a polymer on the stent 126 and allow the stent 126 to move to a shape memory configuration, e.g., an expanded configuration, within the patient, and be deployed within the patient. After the stent 126 is deployed, the inner carrier catheter 120 can be withdrawn from the patient.
In a particular embodiment, a can be greater than zero degrees and less than ninety degrees (0<a<90). In another embodiment, a can be greater than one degree and less than sixty degrees (1<a<60). In yet another embodiment, a can be greater than two degrees and less than forty-five degrees (2<a<45). In still another embodiment, a can be greater than five degrees and less than thirty degrees (5<a<30).
As shown in
As depicted in
A shaft 314 can extend from the housing 302 near the rail support structure 308, e.g., between the rail support structure 308 and the distal end 306 of the housing 302. In a particular embodiment, the shaft 314 is substantially perpendicular to the rails 310. A ratchet wheel 316 can be rotatably disposed on the shaft 314. The ratchet wheel 316 can be formed with a plurality of teeth 318 around the outer periphery of the ratchet wheel 316. The handle assembly 300 can also include a pawl 320 extending from the rail support structure 308. The pawl 320 can be configured to engage the ratchet wheel 316, e.g., the teeth 318 of the ratchet wheel 316, and permit rotation of the ratchet wheel 316 in a single direction, e.g., clockwise.
As illustrated in
In a particular embodiment, the stent delivery device 100 can be engaged with the handle assembly 300 as shown in
Accordingly, the safety clip 140 can be removed from the stent delivery device 100 and the trigger 328 can be squeezed to move the carrier 312 within the handle assembly 300 toward the proximal end 304 of the housing 302. As the carrier 312 moves, the body 102 of the stent delivery device 100 can be moved toward the handle 128 of the inner carrier catheter 120. As the body 102 of the stent delivery device 100 moves toward the handle of the inner carrier catheter 120, the outer sheath 110 can slide off of the stent 126 and expose the stent 126 inside a patient.
Description of a Twisted StentReferring to
As indicated in
In a particular embodiment, as shown, each cell 614 can be hexagonally shaped. Alternatively, each cell 614 can be generally diamond shaped, generally elliptical, or another shape that can allow the stent 600 to be collapsed as described herein.
The stent 600 is movable between a collapsed configuration, shown in
Referring to
The major axis 620 of each cell 614 can be angled with respect to the longitudinal axis 622 to establish a cell angle 624, b. In a particular embodiment, b can be greater than zero degrees and less than ninety degrees (0<b<90). In another embodiment, b can be greater than one degree and less than sixty degrees (1<b<60). In yet another embodiment, b can be greater than two degrees and less than forty-five degrees (2<b<45). In still another embodiment, b can be greater than five degrees and less than thirty degrees (5<b<30).
The orientation of the cells 614 can allow the cells to form a helical pattern around the stent body 602 and can allow the stent 600 to be collapsed by grasping the ends of the stent 600 and rotating the ends with respect to each other. This means relative rotation with respect to both ends. For example, the proximal end 604 can be fixed and the distal end 606 can be rotated around the longitudinal axis 622. Further, the distal end 606 can be fixed and the proximal end 604 can be rotated around the longitudinal axis 622. Also, both ends can be rotated in opposite directions relative to each other around the longitudinal axis 622. As the ends of the stent 600 are rotated relative to each other, the cells 614 can collapse. As the cells 614 collapse, the stent 600 can collapse. Further, as the stent 600 collapses, the diameter 616 of the stent 600 can decrease substantially uniformly from an expanded diameter, DE, to a collapsed diameter, DC. In a particular embodiment, a ratio of DC to DE is approximately one-half (DC/DE=0.5). In another embodiment, a ratio of DC to DE is approximately one-quarter (DC/DE=0.25). In yet another embodiment, a ratio of DC to DE is approximately one-eighth (DC/DE=0.125).
In a particular embodiment, the stent 600 can be made from a shape memory material. The shape memory material can include a shape memory polymer, a shape memory metal, or a combination thereof. Further, the shape memory metal can include a metal alloy. The metal alloy can include a nickel titanium alloy, e.g., nitinol. The stent 600 can particularly be made principally from, or even consist essentially of, nitinol.
In an alternative embodiment, the stent 600 can be made from a non-shape memory metal, e.g., stainless steel, titanium, a cobalt-chrome alloy, or a combination thereof. In such a case, the stent 600 can be balloon deployable. In other words, the stent can be installed over a balloon catheter. When the stent is in an appropriate location within a patient, a balloon on the balloon catheter can be inflated in order to expand the stent within the patient.
Referring to
Moving to block 904, the proximal end of the stent can be rotated relative to the distal end of the stent in order to move the stent to a collapsed configuration. In a particular embodiment, the proximal end of the stent can be rotated in a first direction relative to a longitudinal axis, e.g., clockwise, and the distal end of the stent can be rotated in a second direction relative to the longitudinal axis opposite the first direction, e.g., counterclockwise. In a particular embodiment, the stent can be formed with a plurality of helically arranged cells, as described herein. As the ends of the stent are rotated, the cells can collapse and the stent can collapse.
Continuing to block 906, after the stent is moved to a collapsed configuration, the stent can be installed over a carrier catheter while in the collapsed configuration. Thereafter, at block 908, an outer sheath can be installed over the carrier catheter and the stent. The method can then end at block 910.
In a particular embodiment, a chilling agent, e.g., liquid nitrogen, can be applied to the stent before it is collapsed. Cooling the stent before, or as, the stent is collapsed can aid in collapsing the stent and can substantially prevent the stent from springing outward and expanding when a collapsing force is removed from the stent.
CONCLUSIONWith the configuration of embodiments described above, the twisted stent as disclosed herein provides a device that can be used to treat a stenosis. According to an embodiment, the twisted stent includes a stent body having a plurality of cells arranged in a helical pattern around the stent body. The twisted stent can be relatively easily collapsed by grasping the ends of the twisted stent and rotating the ends in opposite directions. As the ends of the stent are rotated, the helical arrangement of the cells allows the cells to collapse. As the cells collapse, the stent collapses. Embodiments not only provide stent configurations that have superior deployment characteristics, but also have reduced profiles.
Accordingly, embodiments can be moved from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration and then, returned to a collapsed configuration. For example, a stent can be moved from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration that corresponds to a shape memory configuration. Thereafter, the stent can be returned to the collapsed configuration as described herein.
The above-disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, and not restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments that fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of the present invention is to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description.
Claims
1. A stent delivery tool comprising:
- an inner carrier catheter wherein the inner carrier catheter includes a stent engagement area configured to engage a twisted stent, with a stent enantiomorphous form, and configured to prevent the twisted stent from rotating relative to the inner carrier catheter.
2. The stent delivery tool of claim 1 wherein the stent engagement area includes a delivery helical structure extending at least partially along the stent engagement area and having a delivery structure enantiomorphous form.
3. The stent delivery tool of claim 2 wherein the delivery helical structure comprises a helical groove.
4. The stent delivery tool of claim 3 wherein an engagement angle equals the angle between the helical groove and a longitudinal axis of the inner carrier catheter.
5. The stent delivery tool of claim 4 wherein the engagement angle is greater than zero degrees and less than ninety degrees.
6. The stent delivery tool of claim 5 wherein the engagement angle is greater than one degree and less than sixty degrees.
7. The stent delivery tool of claim 6 wherein the engagement angle is greater than two degrees and less than forty-five degrees.
8. The stent delivery tool of claim 7 wherein the engagement angle is greater than five degrees and less than thirty degrees.
9. The stent delivery tool of claim 8 wherein the stent enantiomorphous form is left- or right-handed and the delivery structure enantiomorphous form is opposite that of the stent enantiomorphous form.
10. The stent delivery tool of claim 2 wherein the delivery helical structure comprises a raised helical rib.
11. The stent delivery tool of claim 10 wherein an engagement angle equals the angle between the helical groove and a longitudinal axis of the inner carrier catheter.
12. The stent delivery tool of claim 11 wherein the engagement angle is greater than zero degrees and less than ninety degrees.
13. The stent delivery tool of claim 12 wherein the engagement angle is greater than one degree and less than sixty degrees.
14. The stent delivery tool of claim 13 wherein the engagement angle is greater than two degrees and less than forty-five degrees.
15. The stent delivery tool of claim 14 wherein the engagement angle is greater than five degrees and less than thirty degrees.
16. The stent delivery tool of claim 15 wherein the stent enantiomorphous form is left- or right-handed and the delivery structure enantiomorphous form is opposite that of the stent enantiomorphous form.
17. A stent delivery tool comprising:
- an inner carrier catheter wherein the inner carrier catheter includes a stent engagement area configured to engage a twisted stent, with a stent enantiomorphous form, and configured to prevent the twisted stent from rotating relative to the inner carrier catheter,
- wherein the stent engagement area includes a delivery helical structure extending at least partially along the stent engagement area, having a delivery structure enantiomorphous form, and comprising a helical groove,
- an engagement angle equals the angle between the helical groove and a longitudinal axis of the inner carrier catheter, and
- the engagement angle is greater than zero degrees and less than ninety degrees.
18. A stent delivery tool comprising:
- an inner carrier catheter wherein the inner carrier catheter includes a stent engagement area configured to engage a twisted stent, with a stent enantiomorphous form, and configured to prevent the twisted stent from rotating relative to the inner carrier catheter,
- wherein the stent engagement area includes a delivery helical structure extending at least partially along the stent engagement area, having a delivery structure enantiomorphous form, and comprising a raised helical rib,
- an engagement angle equals the angle between the helical groove and a longitudinal axis of the inner carrier catheter, and
- the engagement angle is greater than zero degrees and less than ninety degrees.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 10, 2016
Publication Date: Jun 9, 2016
Inventor: Andrzej J. Chanduszko (Chandler, AZ)
Application Number: 15/040,915