Stent delivery catheter positioning device

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to a medical device and procedure for accurately positioning a catheter across a desired region within a patient's vasculature. In particular, the present invention provides a hub assembly unit that allows a physician to precisely position a stent within a vessel utilizing a stent delivery catheter. The hub assembly unit includes a fine adjustment mechanism. The fine adjustment mechanism extends or contracts the length of the hub assembly unit in controlled incremental units. These controlled fine displacements are then translated directly to the stent delivery or balloon dilation catheter.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO CO-PENDING APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 784,762, filed Feb. 15, 2001.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention generally relates to a medical device for positioning a stent delivery or dilatation balloon catheter within the vascular system of a patient. More specifically, the present invention discloses a hub assembly unit providing an operator the ability to finely adjust the positioning of a stent delivery or a balloon dilation catheter within a patient's vascular system. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA) is a well-established procedure for dilating stenosed vessel regions within a patient's vasculature. In this procedure, a balloon angioplasty catheter is introduced into the vasculature, typically through an incision in the femoral artery in the groin. The balloon catheter is then advanced through the femoral artery, through the aortic arch...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] Contrary to coarse adjustments, fine displacements have been found to conserve stored potential energy within a catheter system. A physician may therefore incrementally adjust the displacement of the hub assembly unit of the present invention to accurately and predictably advance or withdraw a stent delivery or balloon dilation catheter. In the present invention, fine adjustments made at the proximal end of the hub assembly unit directly translate to similar adjustments at the distal end of the catheter. Thus, the hub assembly unit of the present invention allows a physician to precisely position a stent delivery or balloon dilation catheter at a desired point within a desired region of a patient's vasculature.

Problems solved by technology

Improper placement of a stent within a desired region can cause a portion of the treated vessel to narrow, substantially decreasing the benefits of the initial medical procedure.

The catheter shaft in a medical procedure, however, is usually quite intricately routed within a patient's vascular system.

Specifically, pulling and pushing of the proximal end of a catheter may cause an unaccounted for release of stored potential energy in the catheter shaft.

Backlash causes a physician to experience either a sudden burst or a lag in relative movement of the distal end of the catheter.

This unaccounted for release functionally decreases accuracy in positioning a catheter within a patient's vascular system.

Further, even without the issues related to stored energy and backlash, making the necessary fine adjustments requires more time and is less accurate than desirable.

Further complications arise when a physician attempts to inflate the stent delivery or balloon dilation catheter.

Tightening the hemostasis valve, however, may cause the stent delivery catheter to move out of position.

As a result, the time spent repositioning the distal end of a catheter causes unnecessary medical expense and further trauma to the patient.

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