Guidewire feeder
Inventors
Hammer, Tal • Kutzik, Meir • Reich, Tal • KOIFMAN, Alexei
Assignees
Edwards Lifesciences Innovation Israel Ltd
Publication Number
US-12156981-B2
Publication Date
2024-12-03
Expiration Date
2034-03-13
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Abstract
A guidewire is slidable through a percutaneous medical device. A distal end of the percutaneous medical device is moved in a proximal direction away from an anatomical site of a body of a subject. Simultaneously, a position of a distal end of the guidewire, with respect to the anatomical site, is maintained by moving a housing toward another housing that is coupled to the medical device. Other embodiments are also described.
Core Innovation
A guidewire feeder apparatus and method are described for facilitating handling and advancement of a guidewire through percutaneous medical devices. The feeder comprises a first housing defining a first channel, a second housing defining a second channel, and a tubular member coupled to the second housing and slidably coupled to the first housing. The guidewire is disposed through these structures, and oscillation of the second housing toward and away from the first housing moves the guidewire distally through the feeder by sliding the tubular member into and out of the first housing while selectively engaging the guidewire to permit one-way movement.
The guidewire-engaging element is configured to inhibit guidewire movement in one direction through the second channel, facilitating controlled advancement. The feeder provides rigidity via the tubular member to portions of the guidewire between pushing point and entry into the medical device, preventing undesired bending or kinking that typically complicates manual advancement of flexible guidewires. The feeder is also configured to couple to various percutaneous medical devices or directly to the subject's body, enabling advancement or maintenance of guidewire position during device withdrawal.
The problem addressed is the difficulty and inefficiency of manually pushing guidewires distally through percutaneous medical devices due to their flexibility causing bending or buckling when force is applied. The invention solves this by providing a mechanical system for controlled, one-way, incremental movement of the guidewire, while supporting and inhibiting bending of the guidewire portions during manipulation, thereby improving the ease and precision of guidewire advancement or maintenance during medical procedures.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes two independent claims covering methods of operating the guidewire feeder to advance or maintain guidewire position relative to a percutaneous medical device, involving movement of housing components and guidewire-engaging elements.
Method of maintaining guidewire distal end position during device proximal movement
Moving a distal end of a percutaneous medical device in a proximal direction while simultaneously maintaining the position of the guidewire's distal end by moving a second housing toward a first housing coupled to the medical device, with the guidewire sliding through the device.
Method of advancing a guidewire with tubular member and oscillating housings
Advancing the distal part of a guidewire by distally sliding a tubular member and guidewire portion into a first housing by moving a second housing toward the first housing, and proximally sliding the tubular member over the guidewire by moving the second housing away, enabling incremental distal advancement without guidewire proximal movement.
The independent claims encompass methods whereby coupled housings and a guidewire-engaging element effect controlled one-way guidewire advancement and position maintenance concurrent with medical device movement, utilizing a tubular member slidably coupled within the housings to inhibit guidewire bending and enable precise manipulation.
Stated Advantages
Provides rigidity to the guidewire during advancement, inhibiting undesired bending such as kinking or buckling, improving efficiency of pushing the guidewire distally.
Facilitates one-handed manipulation by enabling advancement with only finger and thumb movement of the second housing, reducing operator effort.
Allows incremental advancement or maintenance of guidewire position while withdrawing or advancing a medical device, aiding procedural control.
Compatible with a range of medical devices due to generic coupling members, enhancing versatility.
Enables smoother advancement of coated or friction-reduced guidewires by a selective gripping guidewire-engaging element.
Documented Applications
Percutaneous (e.g., transluminal) medical procedures requiring positioning and advancement of guidewires through medical devices such as catheters, implants, and cannulas.
Advancement of guidewires into blood vessels, such as femoral vein access for cardiac procedures.
Facilitating withdrawal of medical devices over a stationary guidewire, maintaining distal guidewire position during device retraction.
Use with a range of percutaneous medical devices including handles, cannulas, sheaths, and integrated systems for transluminal cardiac interventions.
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