1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a closure system for blood vessel punctures, and more particularly, the invention relates to a system and method for facilitating hemostasis of blood vessel punctures with an absorbable sponge material.
2. Brief Description of the Related Art
A large number of diagnostic and interventional procedures involve the percutaneous introduction of instrumentation into a vein or artery. For example, coronary angioplasty, angiography, atherectomy, stenting of arteries, and many other procedures often involve accessing the vasculature through a catheter placed in the femoral artery or other blood vessel. Once the procedure is completed and the catheter or other instrumentation is removed, bleeding from the punctured artery must be controlled.
Traditionally, external pressure is applied to the skin entry site to stem bleeding from a puncture wound in a blood vessel. Pressure is continued until hemostasis has occurred at the puncture site. In some instances, pressure must be applied for a up to an hour or more during which time the patient is uncomfortably immobilized. In addition, a risk of hematoma exists since bleeding from the vessel may continue beneath the skin until sufficient clotting effects hemostasis. Further, external pressure to close the vascular puncture site works best when the vessel is close to the skin surface and may be unsuitable for patients with substantial amounts of subcutaneous adipose tissue since the skin surface may be a considerable distance from the vascular puncture site.
More recently, devices have been proposed to promote hemostasis directly at a site of a vascular puncture. One class of such puncture sealing devices features an intraluminal anchor which is placed within the blood vessel and seals against an inside surface of the vessel puncture. The intraluminal plug may be used in combination with a sealing material positioned on the outside of the blood vessel, such as collagen. Sealing devices of this type are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,852,568; 4,890,612; 5,021,059; and 5,061,274.
Another approach to subcutaneous blood vessel puncture closure involves the delivery of non-absorbable tissue adhesives, such cyanoacrylate, to the perforation site. Such a system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,383,899.
The application of an absorbable material such as collagen or a non-absorbable tissue adhesive at the puncture site has several drawbacks including: 1) possible injection of the material into the blood vessel causing thrombosis; 2) a lack of pressure directly on the blood vessel puncture which may allow blood to escape beneath the material plug into the surrounding tissue; and 3) the inability to accurately place the absorbable material plug directly over the puncture site.
The use of an anchor and plug system addresses these problems to some extent but provides other problems including: 1) complex and difficult application; 2) partial occlusion of the blood vessel by the anchor when placed properly; and 3) complete blockage of the blood vessel or a branch of the blood vessel by the anchor if placed improperly. Another problem with the anchor and plug system involves reaccess. Reaccess of a particular blood vessel site sealed with an anchor and plug system is not possible until the anchor has been completely absorbed because the anchor could be dislodged into the blood stream by an attempt to reaccess.
Yet another approach to subcutaneous puncture closure involves the internal suturing of the blood vessel puncture with a specially designed suturing device. However, these suturing devices involve a significant number of steps to perform suturing and require substantial expertise.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a system for facilitating hemostasis of blood vessel punctures which addresses the drawbacks of the known systems.
One aspect of the present invention relates to a device for facilitating hemostasis of a puncture in the wall of a blood vessel including an introducer for compressing a sponge pledget for delivery into a patient to seal the puncture, the introducer including a staging chamber with a first diameter configured to receive the absorbable sponge pledget, a delivery chamber with a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, and a tapered section between the staging chamber and the delivery chamber for compressing the pledget, and a plunger insertable into the introducer for ejection of the pledget from the delivery chamber into a patient to seal the puncture in the blood vessel wall
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method for facilitating hemostasis of a puncture in the wall of a blood vessel includes the steps of establishing a depth of a blood vessel puncture of a patient; loading an introducer with a sponge pledget by hydrating and compressing the pledget; loading the introducer over a guidewire positioned in the blood vessel by inserting the guidewire through the hydrated and compressed pledget; and ejecting the pledget adjacent the blood vessel puncture to facilitate hemostasis while maintaining the guidewire in place.
In accordance with an additional aspect of the present invention, a device for facilitating hemostasis of a puncture in the wall of a blood vessel includes a staging chamber for hydrating a sponge pledget in preparation for delivery of the pledget into a patient to seal the puncture, a delivery chamber for delivering the hydrated sponge pledget to the puncture, and a plunger insertable into the delivery chamber for ejection of the pledget from the delivery chamber into a patient to seal the puncture in the blood vessel wall. A distal end of the staging chamber having a tapered lumen and a proximal end of the delivery chamber connectable to the distal end of the staging chamber for delivery of the pledget from the staging chamber to the delivery chamber.
The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the preferred embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like elements bear like reference numerals, and wherein:
a is a side cross sectional view of an introducer with a pusher having a rachet system;
b is an enlarged view of the detail B of
c is a side cross sectional view of an introducer with a detent;
d–f are side views of pushers for use with the introducer of
An over the wire delivery system delivers an absorbable sponge pledget in a hydrated condition to a blood vessel puncture site to achieve hemostasis. One embodiment of the over the wire delivery system includes a tract dilator 10, an introducer 12, and a pusher 14, illustrated in kit form in
Prior to discussing the present invention in further detail, the following terms are defined:
“Pledget” means a piece of sponge formed into a generally elongated shape having a size which allows delivery in a hydrated state through a delivery cannula or introducer to a site of a puncture in a blood vessel.
“Sponge” means a biocompatible material which is capable of being hydrated and is resiliently compressible in a hydrated state. Preferably, the sponge is non-immunogenic and may be absorbable or non-absorbable.
“Absorbable sponge” means sponge which when implanted within a human or other mammalian body is absorbed by the body.
“Hydrate” means to partially or fully saturate with a fluid, such as, saline, water, contrast agent, thrombin, therapeutic agents, or the like.
“Kneading” of the absorbable sponge material means both dry and wet manipulation of sponge material which compresses, enlarges, or changes the shape of the sponge material causing the sponge material to have improved expansion response.
As shown in
A depth indicator 30 is positioned around the tract dilator 10 and is movable in an axial direction. Once the tract dilator 10 has been inserted until the distal tip 20 abuts the external wall of the blood vessel 102, as shown in
A side view of an introducer 12 is illustrated in
The absorbable sponge pledget 40 according to one preferred embodiment of the invention is formed from a sheet of absorbable sponge material which has been cut into a rectangular shape and rolled to form a compact, substantially cylindrical, elongated pledget. The pledget 40 is sized to be received within the staging chamber 34 of the introducer 12 in a dry rolled state. Templates for use in forming the pledget 40 are shown in
Once the pledget 40 has been inserted into the staging chamber 34 of the introducer 12, a conventional syringe 50 containing a hydrating fluid is connected to the luer fitting 42, as shown in
As shown in
As an alternative to placement of a finger at the distal end of the introducer 12 during advancement of the pledget 40 into the delivery chamber, a removable vent cap may be used as described below with respect to
Another alternative method for positioning the pledget adjacent the distal end of the delivery chamber is to provide a proximal vent hole in the side wall of the delivery chamber. The proximal vent hole is positioned such that when the pledget has moved to the distal end of the delivery chamber, the pledget is substantially clear of the proximal vent allowing additional injected fluid to pass out of the delivery chamber through the vent. According to this method, the proximal vent acts as a fluid release valve to prevent further advancement of the pledget once the pledget has reached a desired position.
The introducer 12 also includes a depth indicator 52 which is an axially movable member used to indicate the depth to which the introducer should be inserted into the patient to achieve the proper positioning of the pledget 40 at the puncture site. The depth indicator 52 of the introducer 12 is aligned with the depth indicator 30 on the tract dilator 10 to achieve proper pledget delivery positioning.
The introducer 12 may be formed in any known manner such as by injection molding from a plastic material. Preferably, the introducer 12 is transparent so that the pledget 40 can be viewed through the introducer and the user can visually confirm the pledget position. The introducer lumen may be provided with a friction reducing coating for improved pledget delivery. The delivery fluid also reduces friction for improved delivery by wetting the exterior surface of the pledget.
The pusher 14, as illustrated in
The pusher 14 also may include a fitting 58 for connecting the proximal end of the pusher to the proximal end of the introducer 12. The fitting 58 acts as a stop to limit the motion of the pusher 14 with respect to the introducer 12. When the pusher 14 is locked to the introducer 12, the two may be used together to apply localized compression to the puncture site. A female luer fitting 60 may also be included at the proximal end of the pusher 14 for connection of a syringe to the pusher for injection of beneficial agent through the pusher.
One method of delivering an absorbable sponge pledget 40 to facilitate hemostasis of a blood vessel puncture wound will now be described with respect to the steps illustrated in
A sheet of absorbable sponge material is cut into a rectangle, is rolled tightly to form a pledget 40, and is placed into the staging chamber 34 of the introducer 12. The steps of cutting and rolling the pledget 40 and placing the dry pledget in the introducer staging chamber 34 may be performed before or after the intervascular procedure. Alternatively, the introducer 12 may be provided preloaded with a prepared pledget 40. With the pledget 40 placed in the introducer, the syringe 50 is filled with a hydrating fluid such as saline, thrombin, contrast agent, other therapeutic agent, or the like and attached to the introducer 12 as illustrated in
As shown in
As shown in
After feeding the guidewire 26 through the introducer, the guidewire 26 is fed through the pusher 14 and the pusher is advanced into the introducer until the distal end 56 of the pusher is in contact with the pledget 40. The introducer 12 and pusher 14 are then advanced together down though the skin 106 and the subcutaneous tissue 104 until the depth indicator 52 on the exterior of the introducer is at the skin level.
In the step illustrated in
One type of absorbable sponge material which is acceptable for use in the present invention is Gelfoam, manufactured by the Upjohn Company. Gelfoam is a porous, pliable, cross-linked gelatin material and is available commercially in sheet form as pre-compressed or non-compressed sponge. The material may be provided preformed as a pledget 40 or may be cut with a punch, or a stencil or template and knife and rolled to form a pledget as described above. Once hydrated, the pledget 40 can be easily compressed to fit into a lumen having a smaller cross sectional area than the original cross sectional area of the pledget. Additionally, the kneading of the hydrated pledget 40 during delivery encourages air trapped within the Gelfoam to be expelled and replaced with fluid, allowing rapid expansion upon delivery. When a pledget 40 of a pre-compressed Gelfoam is hydrated and kneaded (expelling air) during delivery, the pledget will have the absorption capacity to rapidly expand to many times (e.g., 3 or more times) its original dry volume upon delivery. When a pledget 40 of the non-compressed Gelfoam is hydrated and kneaded (expelling air) during delivery, the pledget will have the absorption capacity to rapidly expand to its original dry volume upon delivery. These properties make the Gelfoam sponge material particularly useful for facilitating hemostasis of puncture wounds by injection.
Abrupt lumen diameter changes within the introducer 12, such as at the tapered section 38, will improve “kneading” of the absorbable sponge material passing through the introducer. Manipulation of the dry absorbable sponge material, such as the rolling of the pledget 40, also provides kneading. Kneading improves hydration of the sponge material thereby improving the expansion properties of the hydrated delivered absorbable sponge.
According to alternative embodiments of the introducer, enlarged, recessed, or irregular areas in the lumen of the introducer are provided to impart additional kneading action to the absorbable sponge material further improving expansion properties of the sponge.
Another alternative embodiment for improved kneading of the pledget 40 includes features on the guidewire, such as, irregularities, curves, bends, or the like. The guidewire kneading features will improve kneading of the pledget 40 as the guidewire 26 is inserted through the pledget.
In addition to kneading, pledget delivery is enhanced by super hydration or rapid hydration of the pledget at high pressure. Rapid hydration may be accomplished by high pressure injection of a fluid into the introducer 12 while placing a finger or vent cap over the distal end of the introducer. Super hydration can also be achieved by placing the introducer 12, with the pledget 40 inside, into a pressurized container of fluid. Preferably, fluid pressures of 5 psi or greater are used for super hydration of the sponge material. This super hydration provides rapid and complete hydration of the material in preparation for use.
The embodiment of
The barbs 66, counterbore, and other retention features are particularly useful when using a conventional coiled guidewire which creates a significant amount of friction when threaded through the absorbable sponge material. Alternatively, a smooth, solid shaft guidewire, a plastic sheathed guidewire, or a hydrophilically coated guidewire can be used. These smooth guidewires are more easily threaded through the absorbable sponge material. A guidewire with a reduced diameter proximal portion will also facilitate threading of the guidewire 26 through the pledget 40.
As an alternative to the barbs 66 or a specially designed guidewire, the plunger 14 can be used to hold the pledget 40 in place during threading of the guidewire 26 through the pledget. A hydraulic back pressure can also be created to hold the pledget 40 in place by blocking the proximal end of the introducer 12, such as by the user's finger. Such a hydraulic back pressure will help to hold the pledget in place in the delivery chamber.
Although the use of a tract dilator 10 has been described above, the introducer 12 can be used in place of the dilator and the depth determining step can be performed while inserting the introducer, particularly where a plastic sheathed guidewire, other friction reducing guidewire, or other friction reducing feature is used. The use of the introducer 12 as the dilator eliminates errors which may occur in accurately setting the depth indicator 52 on the introducer.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the pusher 14 is inserted within the introducer 12 and the luer fitting 58 at the proximal end of the pusher is attached to the luer fitting 42 on the introducer. This introducer/pusher system is advanced over a guidewire into the tissue tract to establish the location of the exterior wall of the blood vessel. The exterior wall of the blood vessel is palpitated with the introducer/pusher system and the depth indicator 52 on the introducer is set at the skin level.
According to an alternative embodiment, an introducer/pusher system may be used for dilation in which the pusher 14 or obturator used during dilation is different from the pusher which is used for delivery of the pledget. The pusher 14 for use during dilation preferably has a luer lock at a proximal end which locks to the proximal end of the introducer 12 and has a length such that the distal ends of the pusher and introducer are aligned. After setting of the depth indicator 52, the system is then removed from the tissue tract and the pusher 14 is removed from the introducer 12. The introducer 12 is then prepared for delivery of the pledget 40 by hydrating and staging the pledget within the introducer. The introducer 12 is then reintroduced over the guidewire and advanced into the tissue tract to the depth indicated by the depth indicator 52. In this manner, reliable, accurate, and repeatable placement of the pledget 40 is performed without the use of a separate tract dilator.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the introducer is inserted to the pledget delivery site through a sheath. In this method, the sheath with a removable dilator positioned inside the sheath is advanced over the guidewire into a tissue tract to establish the location of an arterial puncture site. Once the exterior wall of the vessel has been located by palpating, the dilator is withdrawn leaving the sheath in place. The introducer 12 with prepared pledget 40 and pusher 14 are then inserted into the sheath over the guidewire. The introducer 12 may be locked to the sheath, such as by a luer lock. This will position the distal end of the introducer 12 at the distal end of the sheath in preparation for pledget delivery. The combined sheath and introducer system is used to deposit the pledget in the manner described above.
Alternatively, a sheath such as the sheath which was used during the procedure may be used for delivery of the pledget. For delivery of the pledget through the sheath, the sheath is first. positioned adjacent the exterior of the blood vessel either by palpating with the sheath and an internal dilator or by any of the known visualization methods such as fluoroscopy. The sheath may be preloaded with the pledget or the pledget may be loaded after sheath positioning. The pledget is delivered by inserting a plunger into the sheath and withdrawing the sheath over the plunger to deposit the pledget adjacent the exterior of the blood vessel.
For preloading the sheath with the pledget, a staging chamber is attached to the proximal end of the sheath and the pledget is advanced by fluid injection to the distal end of the sheath. The pledget may be positioned properly by use of a distal vent or vent cap which allows excess fluid to escape as discussed above. Alternatively, a proximal vent may be provided in the sheath at a location which corresponds to a proximal end of the pledget when the pledget is. positioned at a distal end of the sheath. Once the pledget has been advanced so the proximal end of the pledget is at or past the proximal vent, the fluid will exit through the vent in the side of the sheath preventing further advancement of the pledget. The sheath with the pledget loaded at the distal end is then inserted over the guidewire to the puncture site and a plunger is used to deploy the pledget.
When the sheath is used for delivery of the pledget without first removing the sheath from the tissue tract, the sheath is withdrawn until a distal tip of the sheath is adjacent the outer vessel wall. This can be determined by known visualization techniques. The staging chamber is then attached to the proximal end of the sheath and used to hydrate and advance the pledget to the distal end of the sheath. The pledget may be advanced through the sheath around or beside the guidewire. Alternatively, the guidewire may be removed before the pledget is conveyed into the sheath. A proximal vent, as described above, is preferably used to position the pledget at the distal end of the sheath. The pledget is then delivered with the plunger.
A sheath 208 can also be used for delivery of the pledget 40 without first removing the sheath from the vessel, as shown in the embodiments in
As shown in
According to the embodiments of
An alternative embodiment of a template 124 is illustrated in
The templates 108, 124, 136 may be separate members included in a puncture closure kit including the introducer and pusher or may be fixed to one of the members of the puncture closure system. For example, the template may be attached to a staging chamber of the introducer 12.
One preferred embodiment of a vent cap 144 for use on the distal end of the introducer 12 is shown in
The shape of the interior dome 148 of the vent cap 144 may be modified to achieve different positions of the distal end of the pledget with respect to the distal end of the introducer 12. For example, if the pledget is to be contained completely within the introducer 12, an inverted dome, cone, or cylinder shaped vent cap may be used in which the dome, cone, or cylinder extends partially into the distal lumen of the introducer 12. Alternatively, if the pledget is to be positioned at the distal end of the introducer 12, the interior of the vent cap may be flat.
For a delivery system employing the introducer 12 as illustrated in
According to an alternative embodiment, a cap without a vent can be used for hydration. The ventless cap acts as a plug to allow hydration by forcing fluid into the introducer which is oriented in a downward direction. Air displaced from the pledget and introducer escapes upward into the syringe during hydration. In addition, two of the vent caps can be connected in a single member when used with the same system.
The proximal stop 166 has been described as formed by an enlarged diameter portion of the pusher 164. However, the proximal stop may also be provided by a disk or other protruding member on the pusher shaft or by a detent and corresponding projection.
According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the functions of the sliding luer 168 and proximal stop 166 can be achieved with other features. For example, one or more detents, reliefs, or ratchet teeth provided on the pusher shaft may engage corresponding features on the introducer to locate the pusher at a desired position and prevent proximal movement of the pusher.
a and 28b illustrate an alternative embodiment of an adjustable proximal stop employing a ratchet mechanism. As shown in
a illustrates the use of the ratchet system to position the pusher 14 adjacent the proximal end of the pledget 40 and trap the pledget between the pusher and the vent cap 144 in preparation for use. Thus, the ratchet teeth 212 allow the system to accommodate pledgets 40 of varying sizes. The ratchet system can also provide for partial deployment of the pledget 40 while continuing to provide resistance to proximal motion of the pusher 14. This can be beneficial for example, for guidewire removal and/or system advancement with the pledget 40 in a partially deployed state.
Although the ratchet tabs 210 have been illustrated on the introducer 12 and the ratchet teeth 212 have been illustrated on the pusher 14, these elements may also be reversed. The ratchet teeth and tabs may also be provided on other portions of the system that interact, such as handles, luers, locks, or the sliding luer illustrated in
c–f illustrate systems having other features for resistance to axial sliding of the pusher 14. As shown in
e and 28f show alternative embodiments of pushers 14e, 14f having features which snap over the detent 214. These features include the grooves 216 and the proximal stop 218. The detent 214 can advantageously provide tactile feedback of pusher location to the user. As with the embodiment of
Although the relative motion of the pusher 14 and the introducer 12 has been described as provided manually, this motion may also be provided by an automatic or spring loaded actuation mechanism.
As shown in
The two component introducer system also allows components to be mixed and matched. For example, one staging chamber 170 maybe used with multiple delivery chambers 180 of different sizes. In addition, the staging and delivery chambers can be formed of different materials for their different material properties. For example, it may be desirable to have a transparent plastic staging chamber 170 so that the user can view the pledget within the staging chamber and determine when the pledget has been completely hydrated. It may also be desirable to have a delivery chamber 180 formed of stainless steel or other opaque material which is strong, relatively thin, and less expensive to manufacture.
Another alternative embodiment of a dilator 196 is illustrated in
Among other advantages, the absorbable sponge delivery system according to the present invention permits the delivery of more absorbable sponge material down a smaller tract by hydrating and compressing the absorbable sponge material. The over the wire delivery method ensures that the absorbable sponge pledget 40 is delivered directly over the puncture site and remains in the proper position while hemostasis is achieved The vessel depth indicator system ensures that the absorbable sponge material is positioned adjacent the exterior of the blood vessel and does not extend into the blood vessel to possibly induce thrombosis. The kneading of the absorbable sponge material during rolling of the dry sponge and while hydrated and passing through the introducer improves the expansion properties of the sponge material.
The absorbable sponge material can be absorbed by the body in a period of time between several days and several months depending on the absorbable sponge material used. A pledget 40 formed of commercially available Gelfoam material will be absorbed by the body within 1 to 6 weeks. However, the pledget material may be engineered to provide different rates of absorption. For example, Gelfoam can be designed to be absorbed at different rates by varying the degree of cross-linking. Preferably, the pledget 40 is designed to be absorbed in less than one month.
Although the invention is primarily intended for delivery of absorbable sponge, non-absorbable sponge may also be delivered with the devices, systems, and methods of the present invention. A non-absorbable sponge may be desirable where it will be necessary to locate the blood vessel puncture after the procedure.
Although the pledget 40 has been described as formed from a rectangular shaped piece of an absorbable sponge material which is rolled into a cylindrical shape, the pledget may also be formed in different shapes and rolled from different shaped sheets. For example, the pledget 40 may be preformed in a variety of cross sections including circular, rectangular, star, or other multi-sided shape. The pledget 40 may have a folded cross section and may have through or blind holes formed in the dry pledget. In addition, the pledget size and shape can be matched to the size and shape of a particular delivery site.
While an amorphous or discontinuous sponge structure may be used in the present invention, a continuous structure of the delivered absorbable sponge pledget 40 provides more secure and reliable placement of a plug of material against the blood vessel puncture than a paste or liquid. The continuous sponge structure can even facilitate partial withdrawal, removal, or movement of the ejected pledget.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the absorbable sponge material can be hydrated with a clotting agent such as thrombin, a contrast agent, another beneficial agent, a combination of agents, or the like. Alternatively, the pledget material itself may contain an agent such as a clotting agent, a contrast agent, another beneficial agent, a combination of agents, or the like.
The absorbable sponge pledget 40 may be presoaked with a beneficial agent such as thrombin for delivery of the beneficial agent to the punctured blood vessel. Alternatively, the pledget 40 may be hydrated with a beneficial liquid agent used as the hydrating fluid within the syringe 50. Further, the beneficial agent may be delivered to the pledget 40 after the pledget is ejected at the blood vessel puncture site through the lumen of the pusher 14 or through the introducer 12.
The treatment of a blood vessel puncture with a hydrated and injected pledget 40 of absorbable sponge to facilitate hemostasis provides substantial advantages in comfort over external pressure methods. In addition, the present invention also provides advantages over the insertion of an absorbable sponge material in a dry state or injection of a liquid or paste. In particular, the hydration and manipulation or “kneading” of the hydrated Gelfoam pledget 40 as it is passed through the introducer 12 improves the expansion and absorption characteristics of the Gelfoam. The injected Gelfoam conforms in shape quickly to the shape of the puncture site and immediately begins blocking blood flow through the puncture site and providing local compression. In contrast, a dry piece of sponge material does not swell until the blood has sufficiently saturated the sponge material, which can take up to hours. The hydrated and kneaded sponge material will expand to a larger size much more quickly when wetted than a piece of dry sponge material when wetted.
Because the amount of subcutaneous fat and tissue between the skin 106 and the blood vessel 102 varies between patients from approximately 0.5 cm to 15 cm or more the system may be provided in different lengths for use in different patients. The pledget 40 size and shape may also be varied for different patients. The absorbable sponge material should form a complete plug over the puncture site without expanding into the blood vessel or exiting the skin of the patient. In some instances where the amount of subcutaneous tissue is great it may be desirable to deliver multiple pledgets 40 in spaced apart positions along the tract leading to the puncture site.
The particular size and shape of the introducer 12 may vary depending on the size of the access site, amount of subcutaneous tissue, and the size of pledget 40 to be delivered. According to one example of the present invention, a pledget 40 is formed from a rectangular piece of pre-compressed Gelfoam approximately 2 by 3 cm with a thickness of 0.15 cm. The Gelfoam is rolled or folded into a pledget having a length of approximately 3 cm. An introducer 12 for delivery of this pledget to a patient with an average amount of subcutaneous tissue has a staging chamber length of about 2.5 to 6 cm, preferably approximately 3 cm, a staging chamber inner diameter of about 0.12 to 1.5 cm, preferably approximately 0.4 cm, and a delivery chamber 36 which is typically longer than the staging chamber and has an inner diameter smaller than that of the staging chamber of about 1 cm or less, preferably approximately 0.33 cm or less. The particular length of the delivery chamber 36 depends on both the subcutaneous tissue depth of the patient and the linear expansion of the pledget 40 as it moves from the staging chamber 34 to the delivery chamber. An angle made by a wall of the tapered section 38 with a longitudinal axis of the adaptor 12 may vary from about 5° to 90°, but is preferably between about 30° and 60°, more preferably approximately 45°. The tapered section 38 is illustrated with a substantially planar interior surface, when shown in cross section. However, the tapered section 38 may also have a convex or concave surface in cross-section. This example of pledget 40 and introducer 12 configurations is merely exemplary of the present invention.
In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention, the pledget 40 may be provided with a rapidly dissolvable tip extending from a distal end of the pledget. Examples of rapidly absorbable or dissolvable tip materials include water-soluble, biocompatible, non-toxic, and preferably non-immunogenic polymers such as poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) and ploy vinyl pyrrolidone (PVP). Other examples could include gelatin derived from porcine or bovine sources. Still other possible tip materials could include, but are not limited to, poly lactic-glycolic acid, poly (proline), ploy (ethylene oxide) and carbowaxes, methyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, poly (acrylic acid), poly (hydroxyethyl methacrylate), poly (acrylamide), natural plant gums, and poly (methyl vinyl ether-maleic anhydride).
The rapidly dissolvable tip 200 may be formed from a thin walled tube which extends from an end of the pledget. For example, the thin walled tube may be rolled within the pledget. The guidewire may be threaded through the thin walled tube of the dissolvable locating tip or along one side the locating tip.
As an alternative to the dissolvable tip 200, the locating tip may be formed of a non-dissolvable material and may be removable. For example, the removable tip material may extend through the pledget and all the way to the skin surface. The tip may be withdrawn after a predetermined time when the locating function of the tip is no longer needed.
While the invention has been described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made and equivalents employed, without departing from the present invention.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/922,784, filed on Aug. 7, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,527,734, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/263,603, filed on Mar. 5, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,315,753, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/071,284, filed on May 1, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,162,192. The disclosures of the foregoing applications are incorporated herein by reference.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 09071284 | May 1998 | US |
Child | 09263603 | US |