The present disclosure generally relates to catheters such as percutaneous catheters. The present disclosure relates, in particular, to the use of an adjustable anchoring section for self-anchoring catheters within tissue.
A wide variety of catheters can be inserted into patients for short-term and long-term use. These catheters can be inserted into different types of anatomic structures including vascular structures (e.g., veins, arteries, cardiac chambers), body cavities and spaces (e.g., thoracic, pericardial, peritoneal, epidural, thecal) and visceral organs (e.g., stomach, intestines, bladder). They are used for various purposes including infusion of substances (e.g., fluids, medications, blood products, nutritional), withdrawal of blood or other bodily fluids for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes (e.g., drainage, decompression), monitoring of physiologic parameters (e.g., pressure, temperature) and as a conduit through which therapeutic or diagnostic instruments are passed.
Catheters commonly used for percutaneous applications include Percutaneous Venous Catheters (PVCs), Central Venous Catheters (CVCs) and Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters (PICCs). PVCs are inserted through the skin into a peripheral vein, usually in the arm, and are the most common means of delivering fluids or medications into patients. CVCs are inserted through the skin into a central vein and usually remain in place for a long period of time, especially when the reason for their use is longstanding. PICCs are traditionally placed adjacent the antecubital fossa and advanced to the superior vena cava, subclavian vein, or other suitable location to deliver IV medications. PICCs can stay in the body for weeks or months, alleviating the need to subject your veins to the numerous needle sticks. PVCs, CVCs and PICCs are secured into positions utilizing various means. For example, CVCs are sometimes inserted in more critical locations, and the catheters are sutured to the skin and frequently have eyelets, suture guides or other features to facilitate suturing. Other catheters are secured using simple or elaborate taping schemes. There are a wide variety of proprietary catheter anchoring devices being marked which uses a variety of adhesives, straps, and other mechanisms.
Catheter dislodgment is an issue for a variety of reasons. Inadvertent dislodgement of certain catheters such as CVCs, chest tubes, large arterial sheaths and others can lead to serious complications including air embolism, pneumothorax, hemorrhage or even death. Furthermore, replacing dislodged catheters can expose patients to additional risks of discomfort and infection, interfere with the therapeutic regimen or other care and lead to complications from the reinsertion procedure. The economic burden resulting from dislodged catheters or the various efforts and protocols necessary to prevent dislodgement can be significant.
Accordingly, there is a need for catheters that can be anchored to the skin without a need for suturing, elaborate taping and/or additional anchoring devices. Additionally, there is a need to provide catheters that include adjustable anchoring sections to accommodate different patients, uses and techniques.
In some embodiments, a catheter extending between a proximal end and a distal end, the catheter includes a hub disposed adjacent the proximal end, a body extending from the hub to the distal end, the body and the hub defining a pathway extending from the proximal end to the distal end, and an anchoring member moveable relative to at least one of the hub and the body.
In accordance with exemplary embodiments, a self-anchoring catheter is provided for herein. The self-anchoring catheter includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end, and defining a pathway therebetween, the body being axially rigid; an anchor portion imparted on the body to secure the body to surrounding tissue; and an actuator disposed adjacent the proximal end of the body to positionally control movement of the anchor portion and its position relative to the actuator.
In some embodiments, the body can be axially rigid. The anchor portion can be a jacket configured to receive at least a portion of the body. The jacket can include a helical portion that forms an anchoring section with at least one turn. The jacket can further include a linear section, in addition to the at least one turn. The jacket can be configured to reshape a section of the body that is disposed therein.
In some embodiments, the anchor portion can be a stiffened member configured to be disposed within the body. The stiffened member can include a helical portion that forms an anchoring section with at least one turn. The stiffened member can further include a linear section. The stiffened member can be configured to reshape a section of the body that is disposed therein.
In some embodiments, the actuator can include a control interface configured to actuate movement of the anchor portion. The control interface can include a wheel disposed on an outer surface of the actuator. In some embodiments, the body includes a plurality of lumens. The anchor portion can include a plurality of turns at a predefined pitch such that the anchor portion creates a traction force within surrounding tissue. The plurality of turns can include helical turns configured to receive the surrounding tissue. The actuator, in some embodiments, can include an enclosure which at least partially receives the anchor portion in at least one configuration.
In accordance with exemplary embodiments a self-anchoring catheter is provided. The self-anchoring catheter includes a body having an anchor portion thereon imparted with shape memory capability; the body being axially rigid and having a pathway extending from its proximal end through the anchor portion to its proximal end; a transitioning member movable along the body to flatten the anchor portion to provide a substantially straight body and straight pathway; and an actuator disposed adjacent the proximal end of the body to control movement of the transitioning member along the body.
In some embodiments, the transitioning member can include a sheath configured to telescopically receive at least a portion of the body and transition the body to a linear condition. The transitioning member can be a sheath telescopically received over the body, configured to expose portions of the body upon movement of the transitioning member relative to the body, wherein an exposed portion of the body can be configured to return to an anchoring condition. The body, in an anchoring condition, can include a helical shape having at least one turn. The transitioning member can be a stiffened member received within the body, and translatable distally, to prevent the body from forming an anchoring condition.
In accordance with exemplary embodiments, a method for operating a self-anchoring catheter is provided. The method includes inserting a catheter into a tissue, the catheter including a body having a proximal end and a distal end, and defining a pathway therebetween, the body being axially rigid; an anchor portion imparted on the body to secure the body to surrounding tissue; and an actuator disposed adjacent the proximal end of the body to positionally control movement of the anchor portion and its position relative to the actuator; actuating the actuator to translate the anchor portion relative to the actuator; and anchoring the catheter to the tissue using the anchor portion.
In some embodiments, the anchor portion can be a jacket, having a helical portion, disposed over a least a portion of the body, and wherein actuating the actuator can include reshaping a portion of the body to have a helical shape. In some embodiments, the anchor portion can be a stiffened member, having a helical portion, disposed within a least a portion of the body, and actuating the actuator can include reshaping a portion of the body to have a helical shape. The body can be formed from a shape memory material capable of transitioning between a linear condition and an anchoring condition, and actuating the actuator can include moving a transitioning member to allow the body to return to the anchoring condition.
Illustrative, non-limiting example embodiments will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Various exemplary embodiments will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some example embodiments are shown. The present inventive concept may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the example embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the present inventive concept to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the sizes and relative sizes of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity. Like numerals refer to like elements throughout.
It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.).
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this inventive concept belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
Embodiments of the present disclosure generally provide self-anchoring catheters and catheter systems for percutaneous applications. The various embodiments of the present disclosure can be used to infuse or withdraw fluids from bodily tissues, and to provide short- or long-term venous accesses.
In some embodiments, the body 107 can be configured for communicating with anatomic structures. In some examples, the body 107 can be connected to the hub 105 at a fixed distance. The overall length of the body 107 can vary to better accommodate the insertion of the catheter 100 into different types of anatomic structures. In some embodiments, the body 107 may further include a distal tip 112, and the body 107 and/or the distal tip 112 can be placed at desired locations for transporting (i.e., delivering or withdrawing) fluids. In some embodiments, the distal tip 112 can be sufficiently rigid to pierce through tissue to access a desired anatomic structure. In some embodiments, the body 107 may be substantially straight in nature for passing through multiple layers of tissues of an anatomic structure. The body 107 and, specifically, distal tip 112 may be placed at the desired locations, where fluids can be delivered or withdrawn at the distal tip 112 and then through the pathway 108. To better assist the insertion and anchoring of the catheter at the various types of anatomic structures, the body 107 may be constructed to be rigid, semi-rigid or flexible and may possess one or more lumens designed for different types of venous applications. In an embodiment, the body 107 can be axially rigid to allow for insertion into tissue and, at the same time, radially flexible, or malleable. In general, the catheter 100 and its various components may be made from any material that is biocompatible, including, but not limited to, plastic, metal or ceramic.
In some embodiments, as shown in
Anchoring section 106 can be constructed in several ways. As shown in
It should be appreciated that the length provided to the anchoring jacket 122, in some embodiments, should be sufficient to optimize traction, and that although a helical design is provided, other geometric designs can be implemented, so long as such a design permits that anchoring section to be advanced to secure the device in place. In some embodiments, for a 1 mm diameter catheter, the anchoring jacket 122 can have about one to six full turns, the helix diameter can be about two to six times the catheter diameter (e.g., about 1 to 6 mm), and the pitch between the turns can be about 1 to 4 mm.
The hub 105, as illustrated, may be positioned at a proximal end of the catheter 100 and can be designed to be connected to a wide variety of instruments, such as but not limited to, an infusion source, a withdrawal mechanism, a monitoring device or serve as a portal of entry for diagnostic or therapeutic instruments. To that end, the hub 105 may be of any shape or dimension so long as it can be attached to the desired instrument. The hub 105 can define a housing, or at least a partial opening, which can receive at least a portion of the anchoring jacket 122 and/or the anchoring section 106.
The hub 105 can include an actuating mechanism, or control interface, such as a wheel 111, disposed on hub 105, which may be rotated (e.g., clockwise or counter-clockwise). In other examples, the actuating mechanism can be an electromechanical switch, a pneumatic valve, a slide switch, or other electromechanical actuating mechanisms. In the case of a wheel 111, rotation of the wheel 111 can cause the anchoring portion 106 to rotate and/or telescope with respect to, or extend from, hub 105 in the direction of arrow “x.” Alternatively, a toggle, knob, switch, or other actuating member may be used to adjust the position of the anchoring section, or portions of the catheter 100, or hub 105 or anchoring section 106 may be directly handled and actuated (e.g., rotated) with the operator's hand(s). As anchoring section 106 extends from the hub, it arrives substantially underneath or adjacent at least one layer of tissue (i.e., a layer of skin or soft tissue), such that the plurality of helical turns can generate a traction force sufficient with the tissue. In at least some examples, the wheel 111 may be used to extend the anchoring section 106 into the appropriate location within tissue. Alternatively, the wheel 111 may be used to extend the anchoring section 106 adjacent the tissue, and the final anchoring may be performed by turning the catheter 100, or the anchoring jacket 122, in its entirety, to manually embed the anchoring section within the tissue.
In some examples, leaving at least one helical turn proximal to the anchoring tissue allows the catheter 100 to not only resist dislodgement from a traction force but also prevents the catheter 100 from advancing further into the patient from a pushing force. It should be appreciated that the anchoring section 106 can be of any shape or dimension so long as it can create sufficient traction forces with the surrounding tissues to resist against dislodgement. In some embodiments, once the catheter 100 is secured in place, fluids can be transported through the pathway 108, where a second section 108b of the pathway 108 may be designed to follow the curvatures of the helical portion, such that fluids flows through each turn within the helical portion. The second section 108b of the pathway 108 can be entirely housed within the turns of the helical portion and in direct communication with the first section 108a of the pathway 108. The anchoring section 106 as shown in
As shown in
Alternatively, in a variation shown in
In use, during a catheter anchoring process, the catheter 100 can be firstly inserted through a layer of skin and into an appropriate anatomic structure until the anchoring section 106 (i.e., helical portion) reaches the skin entry point. The anchoring jacket 122 can then be advanced and/or rotated until all or most of the anchoring section 106 became submerged underneath the skin. Subsequently, the catheter 100 can be covered with a simple dressing, where the dressing and additional treatment of the entry point can be performed to prevent inadvertent rotation of the catheter 100. In this manner, for at least the reason that the diameter of the helical anchoring portion 106 is substantially larger than the entry opening in the skin, the anchoring section 106 can resist dislodgement from the tissue in longitudinal direction. In some embodiments, removing the catheter 100 from tissue can include removing the dressing, rotating the wheel 111 (or the catheter or the jacket) in the opposite direction of the insertion rotation until the helical anchoring portion 106 is completely outside the tissue body and then sliding the remaining distal tip 112 of the body 107 out of the patient.
Turning to
Similar to
In some embodiments, the catheter can include a body 207 having a multi-lumenal configuration (e.g., dual lumen or tri-lumen), one for receiving the stiffened member and another or others for delivery and/or withdrawal of fluid, medications, etc. The multi-lumenal configurations may be formed in a concentric arrangement or side-to-side arrangement.
In some embodiments, shown in
In a variation, as shown in
The catheters described so far have included helical anchoring sections of a fixed or constant diameter. In
In another embodiment, as shown in
In use, during a catheter anchoring process, the catheter 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 can be firstly inserted through a layer of skin and into an appropriate anatomic structure. At such a point, or before insertion into a patient, the actuator (e.g., button 111, 211, 311, 411, or the button 611) can actuate one of the catheter into one of the various anchoring configurations (with the catheter, or the jacket, or the wire). The anchoring section can then be advanced and/or rotated until all or most of the anchoring section becomes submerged underneath the skin. Subsequently, the catheter 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 can be covered with a simple dressing, where the dressing and additional treatment of the entry point can be performed to prevent inadvertent rotation of the catheter. In this manner, for at least the reason that the diameter of the helical anchoring portion 106 is substantially larger than the entry opening in the skin, the anchoring section 106 can resist dislodgement from the tissue in longitudinal direction. In some embodiments, removing the catheter 100 from tissue can include removing the dressing, rotating the wheel, or button, (or the catheter, or the jacket, or the wire) in the opposite direction of the insertion rotation until the helical anchoring portion is completely outside the tissue body and then sliding the remaining distal tip of the body out of the patient. In the case of the embodiment of
It should be appreciated that although described as being helical in design or threaded in design, the self-anchoring portion of the catheter can be one of a helical design, a threaded design, any self-anchoring designs, or a combination thereof.
While the present disclosure has been described with reference to certain embodiments thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the true spirit and scope of the disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt to a particular situation, indication, material and composition of matter, process step or steps, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. All such modifications are intended to be within the scope of the claims appended hereto.
This application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/196,354, filed Jun. 3, 2021, for all subject matter common to both applications. The disclosure of said provisional application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/US22/31567 | 5/31/2022 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
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63196354 | Jun 2021 | US |