Method of priming concentrically stacked interventional devices
Inventors
Lau, Lilip • Meyer, Steven • Bartholomew, Kyle • Mar, Craig • Van Sciver, Ian Peter
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12447317-B2
Publication Date
2025-10-21
Expiration Date
Abstract
A method of priming an interventional device assembly includes providing the interventional device assembly including a first interventional device coupled to a first hub and a second interventional device coupled to a second hub arranged in a concentric stack, the second interventional device being positioned within a lumen of the first interventional device. The method includes coupling the interventional device assembly to a drive system while arranged in the concentric stack, axially advancing the first interventional device and the first hub relative to the second hub to decrease a depth of insertion of the second interventional device within the lumen of the first interventional device while maintaining a distal end of the second interventional device within the lumen of the first interventional device, and flushing the first interventional device with fluid after decreasing the depth of insertion of the second interventional device within the lumen of the first interventional device.
Core Innovation
The disclosure describes priming concentric interventional-device and catheter assemblies by combining fluid flushing with relative movement of the devices. The assemblies are coupled to a drive system, including a robotic drive system, and devices are repositioned or axially translated relative to each other while distal ends remain within surrounding lumens. Disclosed assemblies include guide, procedure, and access catheters, and optionally a guidewire, with operations performed under manual or robotic control.
The priming process removes air from the assembly through staged operation in series or in parallel, using axial translation and reciprocal axial or rotational motion. Tests report that relative reciprocal movement during fluid flushing dislodges microbubbles and produces a substantially bubble-free lumen compared to fluid injection without catheter motion. Background, abstract, and summary sections are omitted from the supplied content, so the specific problem identified in those sections is not explicitly described.
Claims Coverage
The claims identify three independent claims covering three inventive features for priming concentric interventional-device or multi-catheter assemblies through drive-system coupling, relative device movement, and fluid flushing.
Positioning and flushing a concentric interventional-device assembly
The method couples a concentric assembly of first and second interventional devices to a drive system, axially repositions or advances the first device relative to the second to decrease the second device's insertion depth while maintaining its distal end within the first device's lumen, and flushes the first device with fluid.
Staged priming of guide, procedure, and access catheters
The method couples a concentric stack of guide, procedure, and access catheters to a drive system, advances the guide catheter to reduce the procedure catheter's insertion depth while keeping its distal end within the guide catheter, flushes the guide catheter, returns it to an initial position, and advances the guide and procedure catheters relative to the access catheter before flushing the procedure catheter.
Translating and flushing a multi-catheter assembly
The method couples a concentric stacked assembly comprising a guidewire, access catheter, procedure catheter, and guide catheter to a drive system, translates the guide catheter distally relative to the other components, flushes the guide catheter with fluid, and translates the guide catheter proximally.
The three independent claims cover priming concentric assemblies by changing relative catheter positions and flushing selected devices across two-device, staged three-catheter, and multi-catheter configurations.
Stated Advantages
The disclosed tests report that relative reciprocal movement during fluid flushing dislodges microbubbles and leaves the lumen substantially bubble-free, whereas fluid injection or static flushing without catheter motion leaves bubbles.
Documented Applications
Priming concentric interventional-device and multi-catheter assemblies arranged in a concentric stack, including guide, procedure, and access catheter assemblies and assemblies that include a guidewire.
Control of priming methods by a drive system, including a robotic drive system.
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