WO2008092633A2

WO2008092633A2 - Visceral penetration tunnel electrocatheter

Info

Publication number: WO2008092633A2
Application number: PCT/EP2008/000671
Authority: WO
Inventors: Simone Cigaina
Original assignee: Sintesi S.R.L.
Priority date: 2007-01-31
Filing date: 2008-01-29
Publication date: 2008-08-07
Also published as: ITMI20070156A1; WO2008092633A3

Abstract

The base of the visceral penetration tunnel for electrocatheter exhibits engagement means for removably retaining an end of the electrocatheter.

Description

Description of a patent application for industrial invention in the name of

Filed on with No.

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a visceral penetration tunnel for electrocatheter.

Electrocatheters commonly found on the market are used in a wide range of medical applications and exhibit a dedicated structure for each application. In order to be implanted in the patient's viscus, the electrocatheter is provided with a penetration tunnel. In particular, the electrocatheter is directly provided with the penetration tunnel connected in non removable manner. The penetration tunnel is removed after the electrocatheter implant, generally shearing the electrocatheter in the zone of the end thereof proximal to the penetration tunnel. From the above it is clear that in the medical, outpatient and hospital field, the procurement of a considerable collection of products is necessary to have them available when needed, according to the specific application.

Of course, this could complicate the stock management and storage and in general, could give rise to other logistic related problems. The technical task of the present invention therefore is to provide a visceral penetration tunnel for electrocatheter which should allow eliminating the above technical disadvantages of the prior art.

Within this technical task, an object of the invention is to provide a visceral penetration tunnel for electrocatheter with a high usage flexibility which in particular may be universally adapted to electrocatheters of various types. Another object of the invention is to provide a visceral penetration tunnel for electrocatheter removable after the implant of the electrocatheter in a very reliable, simple, safe and effective manner.

Last but not least, another object of the invention is to provide a visceral penetration tunnel for electrocatheter structurally simple and inexpensive.

The technical task, as well as these and other objects, according to the present invention are achieved by providing a visceral penetration tunnel for electrocatheter according to claim 1.

Further features of the present invention are further defined in the following claims.

Further features and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly from the description of a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of the visceral penetration tunnel for electrocatheter according to the finding, illustrated by way of a non-limiting example in the annexed drawings, wherein: figure 1 shows a side elevation view of the visceral penetration tunnel for electrocatheter according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention; figure 2 shows the catheter of figure 1 implanted in the patient's viscus; and figure 3 shows a side elevation view of the visceral penetration tunnel for electrocatheter according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention.

With reference to the figures mentioned above, there is shown a visceral penetration tunnel 1 for electrocatheter 2 which may be used in various medical applications. The penetration tunnel 1 is characterised in that at base 3 thereof, it exhibits engagement means 4 for removably retaining an end 5 of electrocatheter 2.

The engagement means 4 comprises a hollow seat 6 for the pressure-wise fitting of the proximal end 5 of electrocatheter 2.

The penetration tunnel exhibits a longitudinal axis 7 wherealong the hollow seat 6 develops, and progressively enlarges along such longitudinal axis

7 proceeding from the tip 8 thereof to base 3 thereof.

Electrocatheter 2 exhibits a thread-like conductor 10 screened and externally coated with a protective sheath 11 of electrically insulating, elastic and flexible material, typically silicone-based.

Conductor 10 ends with an electrode 12 protruding outside the protective sheath 11.

With reference to figure 1, the hollow seat 6 in made in a single piece with the body of the penetration tunnel 1 , and in particular it consists of a recess

13 of base 3 of penetration tunnel 1 that extends coaxial to the longitudinal axis 7.

The body of penetration tunnel 1 exhibits at least a window 14 to access the hollow seat 6 for the inspection thereof.

The access window 14 opens on the side surface 16 of the body of penetration tunnel 1 and develops transversally to the longitudinal axis 7 of the latter up to intercept the hollow seat 6.

The access window 14 preferably exhibits a rounded edge 15 on the side emerging on the side surface 16 of penetration tunnel 1 to prevent damaging the implant site during the introduction of penetration tunnel 1.

The hollow seat 6 exhibits an insert 17 for retaining the proximal end 5 of electrocatheter 2.

Insert 17 is of a soft material with a high friction coefficient, preferably silicone-based, and is arranged at the side of the access window 14.

The hollow seat 6 exhibits a stop 18 therein for locking insert 17 into position.

Stop 18 consists of a pair of projections 19 and 20 of the side surface 21 of the hollow seat 6 whereinbetween insert 17 arranges.

The first projection 19 is located at the inlet of the hollow seat 6, whereas the second projection 20 is located in a position a little outer than the inspection window 14 which, on the other hand, is located substantially close to the bottom of the hollow seat 6.

Moreover, the first projection 19 exhibits a conical seating surface adapted for guiding the introduction of insert 17.

In the embodiment shown, the hollow seat 6 is cylindrical while insert

17 exhibits the shape of a tube having outer side surface 22 with a radius equal to the radius of the side surface 21 of the hollow seat 6 whereon it rests, being coaxially inserted therein, and inner side surface 23 with a radius slightly larger than the radius of the electrocatheter 2.

When penetration tunnel 1 and electrocatheter 2 are connected, electrode 12 remains positioned in the hollow seat 6 right at the inspection window 14 wherefrom it is therefore possible to visually check the correct position thereof.

With reference now to figure 1 , the hollow seat 6 in made in a separate piece from the body of the penetration tunnel 1 , and in particular it consists of a tubular extension 25 of penetration tunnel 1 fitted in a fixed manner, for example screwed, on a projection 26 of base 3 that extends coaxial to the longitudinal axis 7.

Extension 25 is of a soft material with a high friction coefficient and transparent, for example silicone-based, to inspect when arranged therein.

Figure 2 shows electrode 12 of electrocatheter 2 implanted in the patient's viscus 24.

When the penetration tunnel 1 penetrates through viscus 24, electrocatheter 2 follows it up to the moment when the resistance offered by the biological tissue on sheath 1 1 causes detachment thereof.

Electrocatheter 2, therefore, is not subject to traction since it detaches from penetration tunnel 1 at the end of the penetration of electrode 12 in the biological tissue.

Electrocatheter 2 also comprises means 27 for anchoring to the patient's viscus, consisting in a sleeve 28, of silicone-based material, steadily fitted on electrocatheter 2 and exhibiting one or more tabs 29 for clamping said viscus by special clamps (not shown).

Sleeve 28 exhibits a breakage line 30 that develops from a base 31 thereof to the other base 32 thereof and through the entire thickness thereof to adapt to electrocatheter 2 irrespective of the diameter thereof.

The outer side surface of sleeve 28 finally exhibits circumferential grooves

33 for seating a clamping wire of sleeve 28 about electrocatheter 2.

The penetration tunnel according to the present invention is universally adaptable to electrocatheters of various types and can therefore be used not limitedly in just one but rather in a plurality of different medical applications. In particular, it should be noted that in an emergency intervention wherein time could play an important role for the success thereof, the universal adaptability feature allows creating there and then an "ad hoc" medical instrument based on the specific application thereof. Several changes and variations can be made to the penetration tunnel thus conceived, all falling within the scope of the inventive concept; moreover, all details can be replaced with technically equivalent elements. In the practice, the materials used as well as the sizes, can be whatever, according to the technical requirements and to the prior art.

Claims

1. Visceral penetration tunnel for electrocatheter characterised in that the base thereof exhibits engagement means for removably retaining an end of said electrocatheter.

2. Visceral penetration tunnel for electrocatheter according to claim 1, characterised in that said engagement means comprise a hollow seat for the pressure-wise fitting of said end of said electrocatheter.

3. Visceral penetration tunnel for electrocatheter according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that the body thereof exhibits a longitudinal axis wherealong said hollow seat develops.

4. Visceral penetration tunnel for electrocatheter according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that said body enlarges progressively along said longitudinal axis in the direction of said base.

5. Visceral penetration tunnel for electrocatheter according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that said hollow seat is made in a single piece with said body.

6. Visceral penetration tunnel for electrocatheter according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that said hollow seat consists of a recess of said base that extends coaxial to said longitudinal axis.

7. Visceral penetration tunnel for electrocatheter according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that said body exhibits at least one access window to said hollow seat for the inspection thereof.

8. Visceral penetration tunnel for electrocatheter according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that said access window opens on the side surface of said body and develops transversally to said longitudinal axis up to intercept said hollow seat.

9. Visceral penetration tunnel for electrocatheter according to one or more of the previous claims, characteπsed in that said access window exhibits a rounded edge.

10. Visceral penetration tunnel for electrocatheter according to one or more of the previous claims, characteπsed in that said hollow seat exhibits an insert for retaining an end of said electrocatheter.

11. Visceral penetration tunnel for electrocatheter according to one or more of the previous claims, characteπsed in that said insert is of a soft mateπal with a high friction coefficient.

12. Visceral penetration tunnel for electrocatheter according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that said insert is arranged at the side of said access window.

13. Visceral penetration tunnel for electrocatheter according to one or more of the previous claims, characteπsed in that said hollow seat exhibits at least one stop therein for locking said insert into posinon.

14. Visceral penetration tunnel for electrocatheter according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that said stop consists of a pair of projections of the inner surface of said hollow seat axially spaced in the direction of said longitudinal axis.

15. Visceral penetration tunnel for electrocatheter according to one or more of the previous claims, characteπsed in that said hollow seat is cyhndπcal.

16. Visceral penetration tunnel for electrocatheter according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that said insert exhibits the shape of a tube having outer side surface with a radius equal to the radius of the side surface of said hollow seat whereon it rests, being coaxially inserted therein, and inner side surface with a radius slightly larger than the radius of said electrocatheter.

17. Visceral penetration tunnel for electrocatheter according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that said insert is of a silicone-based material.

18. Visceral penetration tunnel for electrocatheter according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that said electrocatheter exhibits an electrode at the tip of said end thereof arranged in said hollow seat at said inspection window.

19. Visceral penetration tunnel for electrocatheter according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that said hollow seat is made in a piece separate from the body of said penetration tunnel.

20. Visceral penetration tunnel for electrocatheter according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that said hollow seat consists of a tubular extension of said penetration tunnel fitted in a fixed manner on a projection of said base that extends coaxial to said longitudinal axis.

21. Visceral penetration tunnel for electrocatheter according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that said extension is of a soft material with a high friction coefficient.

22. Visceral penetration tunnel for electrocatheter according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that said extension is of a transparent material.

23. Visceral penetration tunnel for electrocatheter according to one or more of the previous claims, characteπsed in that said extension is of a sihcone-based mateπal.

24. Penetration tunnel according to one or more of the previous claims, characteπsed in that said electrocatheter comprises means for anchoring to the patient's viscus, said anchoring means comprising a sleeve steadily fitted on said electrocatheter, said sleeve in turn exhibiting one or more tabs for clamping to said viscus.

25. Penetration tunnel according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that said sleeve exhibits a breakage line that develops from a base thereof to the other base thereof and through the entire thickness thereof to adapt to the diameter of said electrocatheter.

26. Penetration tunnel according to one or more of the previous claims, characteπsed in that the outer side surface of said sleeve exhibits circumferential grooves for seating a clamping wire of said sleeve about said electrocatheter.

27. Penetration tunnel according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that said sleeve is of a sihcone-based matenal.

28. Visceral penetration tunnel for electrocatheter as descnbed and claimed.