阅读说明：本技术 用于引入泵的系统 (System for introducing a pump ) 是由 托马斯·特尔纳 于 2011-06-24 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明属于将流体泵引入到内腔的领域,并涉及一种将泵引入到内腔的系统,该系统包括第一鞘和待引入到该第一鞘的泵,或涉及一种系统,包括具有远端泵单元和位于邻近该泵单元的轴导管的泵。本发明中使用了一个或两个鞘,为了避免损伤轴导管,首先将远端泵单元拉入一个鞘的远端。随后,将容置所述泵单元的鞘传送至另外的鞘或容置内腔。(The present invention is in the field of introducing a fluid pump into a lumen and relates to a system for introducing a pump into a lumen, the system comprising a first sheath and a pump to be introduced into the first sheath, or to a system comprising a pump having a distal pump unit and a shaft catheter located adjacent to the pump unit. One or two sheaths are used in the present invention and to avoid damaging the shaft catheter, the distal pump unit is first pulled into the distal end of one of the sheaths. Subsequently, the sheath housing the pump unit is transferred to a further sheath or housing lumen.)

1. A system (100) for introducing a pump into a lumen, comprising a first sheath (10) and a pump (30; 30') to be introduced into the first sheath, the first sheath (10) having a first sheath lumen (L) extending from a distal end to a proximal end for guiding the pump₁) Wherein the first sheath (10) has a first sheath valve (13).

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first sheath valve (13) is a hemostatic valve.

3. System according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the pump (30; 30') is a self-expanding pump, the system preferably comprising crimping tools.

4. The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first sheath valve (13) is placed at the proximal end of the first sheath (10), or at the distal end of the first sheath (10), or in the middle of the first sheath (10).

5. The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sheath valve (11) has a conical shape, preferably wherein the sheath valve (11) has a conical shape tapering from its proximal end to its distal end.

6. The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lumen of the first sheath (10) is tapered.

7. The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first sheath comprises a tubular portion (11) connected proximally to the valve (13), wherein the tubular portion (11) defines a lumen, the inner diameter of which widens in a trumpet-like manner towards the proximal end of the tubular portion (11).

8. System according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first sheath (10) is designed as a long sheath for guiding the pump in the sheath lumen to the vicinity of an operating position.

9. System according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that there is a second sheath lumen (L) extending from the distal end to the proximal end₂) Of the second sheath (20; 20'; 20 ") in which the pump is held in a guidable manner, the second sheath being couplable with the first sheath for coupling the pump to the first sheathA pump is delivered to the primary sheath lumen.

10. A system (100) for introducing a pump into a lumen comprises a first sheath (10) having a first sheath lumen (L) extending from a distal end to a proximal end for guiding the pump, and a pump (30; 30') to be introduced into the first sheath₁)，

It is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

there is a second sheath lumen (L) extending proximally from the distal end₂) Of the second sheath (20; 20'; 20 ") in which the pump is guidably retained, the second sheath being coupleable with the first sheath for delivery of the pump to the first sheath lumen.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the first sheath lumen (L)₁) At least in some regions, has a smaller, equal or larger internal cross-sectional area, preferably with the second sheath lumen (L)₂) Compared to a smaller, equal-sized or larger inner diameter (d)₁)。

12. The system according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the first sheath (10) has a first sheath valve (11) at its proximal end, the first sheath lumen preferably widening towards its proximal end and being configured such that the distal end of the second sheath (20; 20'; 20 ") can be introduced into the sheath valve (13).

13. The system according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the second sheath (20; 20 '; 20 ") is a peelable sheath (20'; 20") that can be peeled off.

14. The system of claim 10 or 11, wherein the first sheath and/or the second sheath are of a plastic material.

15. A system according to claim 10 or 11, comprising a guide wire (12) whose cross-sectional area is selected such that the cross-sectional area is such thatA guidewire (12) may be passed through the primary sheath lumen (L)₁) And (4) introducing.

16. System according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that there are also means (40) for retaining a portion of the second sheath (20; 20'; 20 ").

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the device (40) has a lumen (44) along the portion around the outside of the second sheath, and the second sheath is frictionally retainable in the lumen.

18. System according to claim 16, characterized in that said device (40) can house at least half the length of said second sheath (20; 20'; 20 ").

19. System according to claim 16, wherein said means (40) holds said held portion of said second sheath with a curvature of less than 10 °, preferably less than 5 °.

20. The system of claim 10 or 11, wherein the first sheath or the second sheath is a long sheath.

21. A system (200; 200 ') having a pump (30; 30'), the pump comprising a distal pump unit (31) and a shaft conduit (32) extending to a proximal end of the pump unit,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

is disposed at the proximal end of the distal pump unit and has a sheath lumen (L)₂) The sheath (20; 20'; 20') surrounding a portion (38) of the shaft catheter and configured such that the sheath is displaceable along the shaft catheter in the direction of the distal pump unit (31) and the distal pump unit is introducible into the sheath lumen (L)₂)。

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the sheath is a peel-off sheath (20'; 20 ") that can be peeled off.

23. The system according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that the sheath (20; 20'; 20 ") is reinforced at least at its distal end region.

24. The system according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the sheath is a long sheath (60).

25. The system of claim 21 or 22, wherein the pump is a self-expanding pump.

26. The system of any one of claims 1,2, 10, 11, 21 and 22, wherein a deviation in flatness of the second sheath and the means for holding a portion of the second sheath in the clamping region is greater than a difference in an inner diameter of the means for holding a portion of the second sheath and an outer diameter of the second sheath.

27. A method for preparing a pump for introduction into a lumen, characterized in that a system according to any one of claims 1,2, 10, 11, 21 and 22 is provided, the system comprising a pump having a distal pump unit and an axial catheter located adjacent to the pump unit, the system further comprising a second sheath having a sheath lumen, the second sheath being arranged adjacent to the distal pump unit, the sheath lumen surrounding a portion of the axial catheter and the second sheath being configured such that the sheath is displaceable along the axial catheter in the direction of the distal pump unit and the distal pump unit is introducible into the sheath lumen,

the method comprises the following steps:

pulling the distal pump unit into the distal end of the sheath.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the second sheath is coupled to the first sheath after the pump is pulled into the second sheath and the distal portion of the distal pump unit is located partially or entirely near the distal end of the second sheath.

29. Method for introducing a pump into a lumen by means of a system for introducing a pump into a lumen according to any one of claims 1,2, 10, 11, 21 and 22, the system comprising a first sheath (10) having a first sheath lumen (L) extending from a distal end to a proximal end for guiding the pump, and a pump (30; 30') to be introduced into the first sheath₁) There is a second sheath lumen (L) extending proximally from the distal end₂) Of the second sheath (20; 20'; 20 ") in which the pump is guidably retained, the second sheath being coupleable with the first sheath for delivery of the pump to the first sheath lumen,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

a) the first sheath (10) is introduced into the lumen (L)_G) Which then houses the pump (30; 30') the proximal end of the primary sheath is accessible from outside the containment lumen;

b) the distal end of the pump is moved into, preferably pulled into, the second sheath (20; 20'; 20') of the sheath lumen (L)₂)；

c) The second sheath (20; 20'; 20 ") is coupled with the proximal end of the first sheath (10), and the pump (30; 30') is delivered from the second sheath to the first sheath.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the distal end of the pump (30; 30') passes through the first sheath lumen (L)₁) Or the second sheath lumen (L)₂) Is guided to the accommodation cavity (L)_G)。

31. A method of introducing a pump into a lumen by means of a system (200; 200 ') having a pump (30; 30'), the pump comprising a distal pump unit (31) and a shaft catheter (32) extending to a proximal end of the pump unit,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

present at the proximal end of the distal pump unit and havingSheath lumen (L)₂) The sheath (20; 20'; 20') surrounding a portion (38) of the shaft catheter and configured such that the sheath is displaceable along the shaft catheter in the direction of the distal pump unit (31) and the distal pump unit is introducible into the sheath lumen (L)₂) The second sheath is introduced into the lumen directly or via an additional sheath by puncturing over the lumen.

32. A method of guiding a pump out of a lumen by means of a sheath, the pump comprising a distal pump unit and a shaft catheter extending to a proximal end of the pump unit, and the sheath having a sheath lumen (L) extending from the distal end to the proximal end for guiding the pump₁,L₂) And the sheath lumen partially surrounds the shaft catheter,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the distal pump unit is pulled into the sheath lumen through the distal end of the sheath lumen and subsequently removed through the proximal end of the sheath lumen or removed from the lumen along with the sheath lumen.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the sheath is a primary sheath or a peel-off sheath.

34. A catheter pump introducible into a blood vessel of a human or animal in a collapsed state and operable in a deployed state in a lumen of the human or animal body for carrying fluid, the catheter pump having a rotor for carrying fluid, a sheath surrounding the rotor and being at least partially permeable to fluid, and an introducer sheath adjacent the rotor, wherein during transition of the deployed state to the collapsed state the sheath is introducible into the introducer sheath for narrowing the diameter at least in some regions, and the narrowing of the sheath diameter is limited in size such that the diameter of the rotor also decreases as the sheath diameter narrows.

Technical Field

The present invention is in the field of introducing a fluid pump into a lumen and relates to a system for introducing a pump into a lumen, the system comprising a first sheath and a pump to be introduced into the first sheath, or to a system comprising a pump having a distal pump unit and a shaft catheter located adjacent to the pump unit.

Background

Thus, on the one hand, an application in the minimally invasive medical field, for example for blood pumps for heart assist, can be provided, and on the other hand, use as a stirrer or as a drive element is conceivable.

The invention shows particular advantages in terms of a rational miniaturization in the medical field. Techniques for introducing fluid pumps, particularly into normal body cavities, are known in the art. Reference is made in particular to the Seldinger technique (Seldinger technique) for introducing an introducer sheath into the vascular system. This technique and its possible variants will be explained in more detail with reference to fig. 1.

A schematic human vascular system 1 is shown in figure 1. In the groin area, one of the femoral arteries 2 is connected via the aorta to the aortic arch and subsequently communicates with the ventricle 4. An introducer sheath 10 is first introduced into the femoral artery 2, for example by means of the seldinger technique. First, the femoral artery or any blood vessel is punctured with a steel cannula having a cutting tip. The guide wire 12 is passed through a steel cannula introduced into the puncture and introduced retrogradely into the left ventricle 4 via the aortic arch 3. After removal of the puncture cannula, a first sheath 10, which is provided as an introducer sheath and comprises a tubular part 11, is wound with a guide wire and introduced into the vascular system through the puncture site, the sheath being introduced only a short distance into the lumen of the vascular system. Subsequently, a fluid pump is introduced into the vascular system through the introducer sheath 10.

Such a process is known, for example, from the patent WO 02/43791A 1. After the introducer sheath shown in fig. 1 is introduced into the vascular system, the heart pump is pushed forward along the guidewire 12 into the left ventricle 4. Thereby, the pump, in particular the distal pump unit, is pushed out of the sheath through the vascular system towards the ventricle.

Modern fluid pumps often require high speed rotation in order to be able to deliver a corresponding amount of fluid per minute. Such blood pumps can be derived, for example, from the abovementioned WO 02/43791a1 or EP 2047872 a 1. The latter shows a pump having a distal pump unit, a shaft conduit adjoining the proximal end of the distal pump unit, which shaft conduit in turn can be connected to a drive unit for driving the fluid pump.

One disadvantage of previously known systems for introducing a pump into a lumen is that there is a great risk of damaging the shaft extending in the shaft conduit, which has an adverse effect on the lifetime or service life of the pump unit.

Disclosure of Invention

Starting from the prior art, the object of the invention is to reduce the risk of damage to the shaft conduit of the pump.

This object is achieved by a system having the features of claim 1 or by means of a system having the features of claim 12. In addition, the present invention also includes methods of introducing and removing pumps.

Further embodiments are cited in the dependent and parallel claims.

A first aspect of the invention provides a system for introducing a pump, preferably a collapsible pump, particularly preferably a self-inflating rotary pump, into a lumen, the system comprising a first sheath and a pump to be introduced into the first sheath, and the first sheath having a first sheath lumen extending from a distal end to a proximal end for introducing the pump.

After removal from the sheath, the self-expanding rotary pump may be released because the sheath no longer constrains the radius of the pump. Alternatively, a self-expanding rotary pump may have a material that changes state based on flow conditions, temperature or pressure prevailing in the vascular system, which material thereby acts as a release for the pump withdrawn from the sheath.

For details of this pump (in accordance with various aspects of the invention set forth in this application), reference is made to the following U.S. provisional applications for their entire disclosure: no.61/120,095 submitted on day 12/5 in 2008, No.61/149,753 submitted on day 2/4 in 2009, No.61/151,964 submitted on day 12 in 2009, No.61/161,125 submitted on day 18 in 2009, No.61/162,710 submitted on day 24 in 2009, No.61/173,666 submitted on day 29 in 2009, No.61/175,519 submitted on day 5 in 2009, No.61/220,292 submitted on day 25 in 6 in 2009, No.61/231,787 submitted on day 6 in 2009, No.61/244,592 submitted on day 22 in 2009, No.61/244,600 submitted on day 22 in 2009, No.61/244,608 submitted on day 22 in 2009, No.61/244,614 submitted on day 22 in 2009, No.61/254,315 submitted on day 10 in 2009, No.61/254,339 submitted on day 23 in 2009, No.61/289,569 submitted on day 23 in 2009, No. 5823 submitted on day 12 in 2009, No.61/289,645 submitted on day 23 in 2009, No. 582 submitted on day 2 in 2009, No.61/162,710 in 2009, No.61/293,270 filed on 8/1/2010, No.61/297,858 filed on 25/1/2010, No.61/298,581 filed on 27/1/2010, No.61/310,750 filed on 5/3/2010, No.61/345,253 filed on 17/5/2010, No.61/358,496 filed on 25/6/2010, No.61/364,559 filed on 15/7/2010, No.61/364,578 filed on 15/7/2010, No.61/364,595 filed on 15/7/2010, and No.61/451,222 filed on 10/3/2011, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference in the present application.

The term "sheath" is understood in this application to mean a lumen substantially surrounded by a cannula and having distal and proximal openings. Preferably, the sheath is configured such that it can accommodate a shaft catheter, for example a shaft catheter having a diameter of 5-15 Fr, preferably 7-11 Fr. In addition, the sheath is preferably flexible so that it can be navigated in normal body lumens. This applies to both the primary and secondary sheath.

According to the invention, the system further comprises a second sheath having a second sheath lumen extending from the distal end to the proximal end, the pump being guidably retained therein. Thus, the second sheath is configured to be couplable with the first sheath for transferring the pump from the second sheath to the first sheath.

The second sheath provides additional protection to the shaft conduit during introduction of the pump. In this way, an improved method of introducing the pump into the primary sheath or primary sheath lumen becomes feasible.

In the sense of the present invention, a "sheath" means an object through which different things can be guided. Such a sheath may have a hemostatic valve, but is not a necessary valve.

Since great care is usually taken to thread the pump into the sheath, which takes considerable time, the second sheath makes it possible for the pump unit to be threaded into the sheath before the actual transfer of the pump into the lumen housing the pump. In other words, the pump may first be inspected prior to operation and then threaded into, and preferably pulled into, the second sheath, enabling the threading operation to be completed without time pressure.

In operation, the second sheath, having retained the pump therein, now need only be coupled to the first sheath, and the pump can be transferred directly from the second sheath to the first sheath. This reduces the likelihood of damage to the pump or shaft and thereby allows the pump itself to have improved operating performance or run time. Also, the time taken to introduce the pump, e.g., to operate, is reduced.

A second aspect of the invention relates to a system usable with the above-mentioned system, comprising a pump having a distal pump unit and a shaft conduit located adjacent to the pump unit. In addition to the pump, the system further includes a sheath having a sheath lumen disposed adjacent the distal pump unit, the sheath lumen surrounding a portion of the shaft catheter. The feature of the system of the first aspect of the invention which is simply referred to as a sheath is generally designated as the second sheath. Such features relate to the system of the second aspect.

The sheath is configured such that the sheath can be displaced along the shaft catheter in the direction of the distal pump unit, and the distal pump unit can be introduced into the sheath lumen. This assumes that the inner diameter of the sheath lumen is larger than the outer diameter of the shaft catheter.

In a system of a pump and a sheath, it is particularly advantageous that the shaft catheter can be pulled in order to pull the distal pump unit into the distal end of the sheath. As the shaft is pulled, the risk of the shaft being twisted or damaged or bent is greatly reduced compared to pressing the device into or pushing the sheath, increasing the operating time or life compared to conventional methods of introducing a pump and systems used therefor.

After the pump has been pulled into the sheath and the distal part of the distal pump unit is located partly or entirely close to the distal end of the sheath, the system according to the second aspect of the invention may be coupled to the first sheath, so that introduction of the pump unit into the lumen, e.g. a blood vessel, which ultimately houses the pump, becomes simpler.

The third aspect of the invention may further improve the system of the first or second aspect of the invention. A third aspect includes means for retaining a portion of the sheath of the second aspect or a portion of the second sheath of the first aspect. The means for holding a portion of the sheath are thus configured to hold the sheath with friction on the one hand and to prevent the sheath from deforming, in particular bending, in the holding region on the other hand. Due to the presence of the means for retaining a portion of the sheath, the inherent reinforcement of the sheath, which may be present, for example in the form of a wire mesh, is no longer necessary, since the retaining means will reinforce a portion of the sheath. This makes it impossible for the shaft to bend when the pump is pulled into the lumen of the sheath, and the shaft may but does not bend when the pump is delivered from the sheath held by the device into the first sheath.

The three aspects described in the preceding paragraphs may each form an independent patentable portion of the invention. Although the third aspect, i.e. the device holding a portion of the sheath, is described only as a modification of the system of the second aspect, independent significance is also given. A common idea is to introduce the pump into a secondary sheath before it is introduced into the lumen for housing the pump, without time pressure.

Three aspects are suitable per se for preventing the shaft of the pump from bending.

What follows are further embodiments of the various aspects.

In one embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the primary sheath lumen has a smaller cross-sectional area, preferably a smaller inner diameter, in the region than the secondary sheath lumen. Advantageously, the penetration of the pump in the secondary sheath can be made simple. A suitable size ratio between the internal cross-sectional area of the lumen of the primary sheath and the internal cross-sectional area of the lumen of the secondary sheath is 1:1 to 1: 1.2.

In another embodiment of the system of the first aspect, the first sheath includes a first sheath valve at a proximal end thereof. By means of the sheath valve, an introducer sheath can first be introduced into the lumen housing the pump, preventing fluid leakage from the pump.

Thus, the sheath valve is preferably configured to have a wider internal cross-section than the sheath lumen. This embodiment also includes a conical sheath valve. Thus, the sheath valve tapers from its proximal end to its distal end, i.e. towards the end where it is connected to the sheath lumen. Alternatively or in combination, the first sheath lumen may be configured such that the connection region between the sheath lumen and the sheath valve is widened.

According to the invention, the sheath is configured such that the distal end of the second sheath can be introduced at least partially into the first sheath valve and in such a way that a coupling between the first sheath and the second sheath is generated.

In one embodiment of the first and second aspects of the invention, the second sheath is a peel-off sheath or "peel-off" sheath that is peelable over its entire length. This type of sheath, for example, may have a molecular structure that facilitates stripping from the proximal end toward the distal end. However, the stripping sheath may also be configured to be stripped, for example, by a material that tapers at a predetermined break point or by a longitudinally inserted stripping wire or wire. As a result, after the pump is transferred from the secondary sheath to the primary sheath, the secondary sheath can be peeled off of the pump, and particularly the shaft catheter extending therefrom. In this variant, the second sheath represents a feature of the invention, namely that it is connected to the pump just before introduction into the lumen housing the pump.

In another embodiment of the first and second aspects of the invention, a first sheath and a second sheath comprising a plastics material may be provided, and in another embodiment, a first sheath and a second sheath having a reinforcing or stiffening structure may be provided. In the medical field, plastic materials are a particularly suitable material of choice.

In one embodiment of the third aspect, the means for securing a portion of the second sheath comprises a lumen in which a portion of the second sheath is frictionally securable. This can be achieved by, for example, a rough surface of the cavity. Another possibility is to configure the inner cross-sectional area of the lumen as smaller as possible than the outer cross-sectional area of the second sheath. Due to the fact that the device has a cavity, the surface surrounding the cavity can be used as a fixation surface for the operator of the system. As a result, damage to the shaft can also be avoided. To avoid the transmission of pathogens from the device to the sheath, the material is a metal or even a plastic material. In the case of use in the human or animal body, biocompatible materials are preferably used.

In another embodiment of the third aspect, the device is configured such that the second sheath can be accommodated by the means for securing the second sheath, preferably at least half its length.

In another embodiment, the device is configured such that the fixation section of the second sheath comprises a curvature of less than 10 °, preferably less than 5 °, particularly preferred less than 1 °. The risk of bending of the shaft is increased due to the curvature of the secondary sheath. This can be avoided by a corresponding arrangement of the means for securing a portion of the secondary sheath.

The secondary sheath can be axially fixed by the curvature of the receiving region of the secondary sheath on the device, with the lumen L of the secondary sheath₂Is not restricted. For this purpose, the secondary sheath should have a suitable bending strength. Alternatively, the second sheath may also have curvature and the device may be straight (or both curved).

To this end, the system of the invention provides that the deviation of the straightness of the secondary sheath in the clamping area and the means for fixing a part of the secondary sheath is larger than the difference between the inner diameter of the means for fixing a part of the secondary sheath and the outer diameter of the secondary sheath, see fig. 15a and 15 b.

The system of the first aspect may be used in combination with the system of the second aspect such that the first sheath may first be introduced into a lumen that subsequently houses the pump, and the proximal end of the first sheath may easily pass through the housing lumen to the outside. Before or after this, the distal end of the pump may be moved into the sheath lumen of the second sheath, which is preferably pulled in by means of the system of the second aspect.

For this purpose, the second sheath can be reinforced at least axially in its distal end region. Thus, when the pump is pulled into the sheath, the pump or the second sheath is prevented from bending.

Subsequently, the distal end of the second sheath is coupled with the proximal end of the first sheath, and the pump is transferred from the second sheath to the first sheath.

In one embodiment, the distal end of the pump is then directed through the distal end of the first sheath lumen to a lumen housing the pump.

In one design approach of the pump, a distally placed distal pump unit located distal to the distal end of a sheath held in the vascular system is pulled into the sheath and subsequently removed from the placement lumen through the sheath. Alternatively, the pump may move with the receiving cavity.

In an embodiment of the method of designing the pump, the distal end of the sheath is placed less than 20cm, preferably less than 10cm, from the operating position of the pump unit during the operating state of the pump unit. As a result, the transportation of the pump unit to or from the operating position can be simplified. In addition, the vascular system is thus protected from damage by the pump (during transport of the pump).

The patent application further relates to a catheter pump which can be introduced into a human or animal blood vessel in a collapsed state and which, for the transport of fluids, can be operated in a deployed state within the lumen of the human or animal body, said catheter pump having a rotor for the transport of fluids and a sheath surrounding the rotor and being at least partially permeable to fluids, and an introducer sheath adjacent to the rotor, wherein during the transition of the deployed state into the collapsed state the sheath can be introduced into the introducer sheath so as to narrow the diameter at least in regions, and wherein the diameter of the rotor (i.e. the largest outer diameter) from the deployed state to the collapsed state narrows in the diameter of the sheath by the dimension at which the diameter of the pump narrows.

The catheter pump described in the preceding paragraph of the invention may itself be a stand-alone invention, the applicant reserving the right to do a separate, partial application for which it is directed later.

Advantageous improvements of the catheter pump (see the preceding paragraph) can be found in fig. 1 to 15b, and in particular fig. 4,5 and 6, initially filed.

All embodiments mentioned herein or initially filed patent claims may be considered as possible modifications, provided that they are not technically contradictory.

The basic principle mentioned in the initially filed patent claim 23 is based on the fact that the introducer sheath does not compress the rotor itself but takes place directly by means of the housing surrounding the rotor (this applies, of course, to all aspects of the application). In other words, there is a fixed spatial arrangement between the rotor and the housing surrounding the rotor, i.e. the rotor does not move independently of the surrounding housing. The fixed spatial arrangement is to be understood as the proximal or distal end of the rotor being fixed relative to at least one position of the surrounding housing. The housing may have a rigid structure (as shown in the present application) that is enclosed within the area. As a result, it becomes feasible to draw fluid into the housing and carry it to the proximal end of the catheter. The mentioned rotor may be of various forms, for example with different rotor blades, which may also have thin blades. The rotor may also have an outer surface of plastic material and be configured, for example, as a plastic casting or injection molded piece. It is important that the rotor have both a contracted state for introduction into the vessel (or housing/sheath) and an expanded state for carrying out the delivery operation and protecting the rotor by surrounding the housing. Thus, there may be a gap between the radial rotor outer edge and the housing. Even during operation, the housing may still be in the region of the introducer sheath near the rotor, as long as the free rotation of the rotor is not impeded.

Additionally, the shaft may be coupled to the motor by way of a magnetic coupling.

Therefore, the above aspect is particularly suitable for a self-expanding pump.

Drawings

Subsequently, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to some examples. Wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a vascular system incorporating a primary sheath;

FIG. 2 is a detailed view of a cut-away portion of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a system in an embodiment of the first aspect of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a pump in one embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a system in an embodiment of a second aspect of the invention;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are views of the pump being pulled into the secondary sheath;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are views of the pump being transferred from the secondary sheath to the primary sheath;

FIG. 10 is a view of a system in an embodiment of the second aspect using an apparatus of the third aspect of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a view of an embodiment of the first and third aspects of the present invention;

FIGS. 13a and 13b are distal end views of a sheath in an embodiment of a second aspect of the invention;

FIG. 14 is a view of the pump unit arrangement in one embodiment with the long sheath and its operational state;

fig. 15a and 15b are sketches of curves for illustration.

Detailed Description

As mentioned above, fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a human vascular system, wherein a first sheath 10 configured as an introducer sheath is introduced into the femoral artery using the seldinger technique.

Fig. 1 further shows a guidewire 12 extending to the left ventricle. The tubular portion 11 of the first sheath 10 is introduced into the artery such that the proximal end of the first sheath 10 is located outside the femoral artery and thus can be used to introduce, for example, a pump. On the one hand, it is possible to thread the pump over the guide wire 12 in order to introduce the pump into the left ventricle by means of the guide wire.

One method of the present invention is to introduce the tubular portion 11 of the first sheath 10 into the left ventricle over a guidewire and subsequently remove the guidewire 12 from the first sheath. Subsequently, a possible pump unit is introduced into the vicinity of the left ventricle 4 or into the left ventricle 4 through the first sheath lumen.

The invention is described herein only in connection with the introduction of a pump into the left ventricle for facilitating cardiac function. However, one skilled in the art will readily recognize that the pump may be placed in other locations in the normal body vasculature. Furthermore, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the normal body vasculature, but may be adapted to introduce a pump into any cavity. Including, for example, a cavity defined by a tube into which a pump unit is introduced for delivering the fluid.

FIG. 2 shows the lumen L of FIG. 1 where the primary sheath 10 is introduced into the femoral artery 2 from outside through the normal body tissue_GThe area of (a). The first sheath thus comprises a tubular portion 11 connected proximally to a valve 13. The tubular portion 11 defines an inner diameter d₁₁Inner chamber L of₁. The lumen widens in a trumpet-like manner towards the proximal end of the tubular portion 11. The flared widening 14 makes the diameter of the valve 13 larger than the inner diameter d₁₁。

The valve 13 is related to a hemostatic valve known in the art and comprises a housing 15 and a gasket 16. The hemostatic valve is prevented from being in the inner cavity L_GThrough the lumen L₁Gushes out outwards.

In the illustration of fig. 3, the first sheath 10 in fig. 2 is coupled to the second sheath 20. Only the tubular portion 21 of the second sheath 20 is shown, the tubular portion 21 defining a lumen having an inner diameter d₂₁Inner chamber L of₂. The distal end of the second sheath 20 coupled to the valve 13 has an outer diameter that enables it to be introduced into the valve 13. However, the inner diameter d₂₁Greater than the inner diameter d₁₁。

In this regard, it is the fact that the position of the referenceable valve is not limited to the proximal end of the primary sheath, but may also be placed at other locations within the primary sheath, such as the distal or middle portion of the primary sheath. If the inner diameter of the proximal end of the primary sheath is larger than the outer diameter of the distal end of the secondary sheath, it is sufficient to introduce the distal end of the secondary sheath into the proximal end of the primary sheath. The diameters of the primary and secondary sheath lumens (except for the proximal end of the primary sheath and the distal end of the secondary sheath) may be the same or different or the respective sheath lumens may be tapered.

The first and second sheaths and the distal pump unit are configured such that the distal pump unit may be in the first and second sheaths with the proximal end of the second sheath at or coupled to the distal end of the first sheath.

Now in the lumen L₂Can be pressed from the second sheath lumen L₂Is delivered to the primary sheath lumen L₁. Subsequently, the pump is inserted into the primary sheath lumen L₁To a location in the vascular system for its function. The pump can be introduced over the guidewire with or without a guidewire passing into the primary sheath lumen.

One possible embodiment of the pump 30 will be described in more detail with reference to fig. 4. The pump 30 comprises a distal pump unit 31 and a shaft conduit 32 adjoining the proximal end of the distal pump unit 31. The shaft catheter 32 has a coupling at its proximal end (not shown) that couples the shaft catheter 32 to a drive device. The drive means is provided with a flexible shaft which, when rotated, extends into the shaft guide 32, which in turn operates the distal pump unit 31.

The distal pump unit includes a pump housing 33 made of a nickel titanium alloy stent in an interwoven configuration. One or more portions of the nitinol housing have a coating 34 that extends distally and proximally of a rotor 35 disposed within the pump housing 33. The rotor is connected to and rotated by a shaft 36 extending within the shaft conduit 32. The pump casing and rotor are compressible, i.e. the pump is a self-expanding pump. After the distal pump unit is pushed out of the distal end of one sheath, the pump is deployed. The distal pump unit is pulled into the distal end of the sheath lumen to compress the pump. Thus, the inner diameter of the sheath lumen is at least greater than the outer diameter of the shaft catheter.

The distal pump unit is configured such that the housing surrounding the pump is substantially fixed in the axial direction relative to the rotor, i.e. the rotor is not removed from the housing during implantation but remains unchanged.

Optionally, the pump has a discharge hose 37 defining a flow path for the pumped fluid, the discharge hose being located at the proximal end of the rotor 35. The proximal end of the discharge hose 37 may be provided with a plurality of discharge openings (not shown in detail).

Of course, the pump may be switched from pumping to aspirating operation such that the pump no longer directs fluid from the distal end to the proximal end, but is reversed.

Another suitable pump can be derived, for example, reference being made to publication EP 2047872 a 1.

The function of the system of the second aspect will now be described with reference to figures 5 to 9.

Fig. 5 shows a pump 30' substantially corresponding to the pump 30 in fig. 4. For simplicity, the pump details are not shown. Only the spherical shell, which prevents pumping of the heart against the heart wall, and the "pigtail" at the distal end of the spherical shell are shown. A shaft conduit 32 'extends along the proximal end of the distal pump unit 31'. The secondary sheath 20' is disposed around the region 38' of the shaft catheter 32' and includes a lumen L₂In the released or deployed state, its inner diameter d₂₁Smaller than the diameter of the distal pump unit 31'.

The pump 30 'shown in fig. 5 is a compressible pump, i.e. a distal pump unit 31' comprising in particular a pump housing and a rotor located therein, and is configured such that it can be compressed, i.e. reduced in diameter. After the quality testing person or, for example, a physician, is confident that the pump 30' is functioning properly, for example, by observing the rotational movement of the rotor at the distal pump unit 31' during a commissioning, the distal pump unit 31' is pulled into the lumen L of the second sheath 20' by pulling the shaft catheter 32' in the proximal direction₂. By pulling the pump into the second sheath 20', bending or damaging the shaft catheter or the shaft extending therein can be avoided. The pump 30 'shown in fig. 5 and the second sheath 20' surrounding the region 38 'of the shaft catheter 32' form a system 200 making it possible to test well the function of the pump 30 'before operation and then to collapse the pump by pulling the distal pump unit 31' into the distal end of the second sheath, thereby avoiding damage to the shaft.

Although the systems of the first and second aspects can be made with both straight and self-expanding pumps, a self-expanding pump is particularly suitable, i.e. a distal pump unit outside its sheath can automatically return to its original dimensions.

FIG. 6 shows the drawing of the distal pump unit 31' into the lumen L of the secondary sheath 20₂An intermediate step of (1). It is contemplated that the distal pump unit 31 'is compressible and may be reduced in diameter such that the distal pump unit 31' may be received within the lumen L of the secondary sheath 20₂In (1).

In addition, fig. 6 shows a coupling 39 'adjoining the shaft guide 32', which coupling couples the shaft extending in the shaft guide to the drive unit. Since the coupling 39' will generally have a larger outer diameter than the inner cavity L₂Is large, and the second sheath 20 'is typically placed in a distal direction prior to assembly from the proximal end of the shaft catheter 32' to the coupling 39 'in order to deliver the pump in the system 200, i.e. the delivery pump, and the second sheath 20' at the proximal end of the distal pump unit 31 'and the pre-installed coupling 39'. Fig. 6 shows an elongated flared widening of the distal end of the secondary sheath 20'. The flared widening 24 'facilitates pulling the distal pump unit 31' into the lumen L of the second sheath 20₂。

In fig. 7, the distal pump unit 31' is finally completely in the lumen L of the second sheath 20 ″₂In (1). The only difference from sheath 20' is that second sheath 20 "has two pre-mounted hold-down devices 22" which are pulled into lumen L at distal pump unit 31₂Or subsequently stripped, to better retain or remove the second sheath 20 ". Advantageously, in the presence of a "pigtail", this "pigtail" is also pulled into the lumen L₂So that the distal pump unit 31 'together with the components of the pump distal to the distal pump unit 31' are also in the lumen L₂。

In fig. 8, it is conceivable how a system 200 comprising a pump 30' and a secondary sheath 20 "is combined with a primary sheath 10 during operation to form a system 100 according to the first aspect of the invention. First, secondary sheath 20 "is introduced by its distal end into the valve of primary sheath 10. When the distal tip of the secondary sheath 20 "abuts the flared widening 14 of the primary sheath 10, the pump is transferred from the secondary sheath 20' to the primary sheath 10' by pushing the shaft catheter 32' to push the pump in the distal direction. The diameter of the distal pump unit 31' is thereby further reduced to the lumen L₁Inner diameter d of₁₁。

Fig. 9 shows a remote pump unit 31' completely in the lumen L of the primary sheath 10₁The subsequent steps of (1). The distal pump unit 31' is completely located in the lumen L of the primary sheath 10₁The fact of (2) can be determined, for example, with reference to a coloured marking 50 applied on the outside of the shaft guide 32'.

Subsequently, the second sheath 20 "is removed from the shaft catheter 32' by peeling the second sheath 20' configured as a" peelable sheath "from the shaft catheter 32' from the proximal end towards the distal end. The directional stripping from the proximal end to the distal end can be by means of the notch a but is mainly based on the orientation of the molecular chains of the plastic material used in the proximal-to-distal direction.

After the peelable sheath is removed, the pump 30' is again within the lumen L of the primary sheath 10₁Is directed to a desired location.

It is not necessary to reinforce the second sheath 20 ", in particular to pull the distal pump unit 31' into the second sheath lumen L₂This is because the risk of the shaft bending is greatly reduced during pulling.

As shown in fig. 7 to 9, during the transfer of the pump from the secondary sheath to the primary sheath, the secondary sheath may comprise a structure reinforced in the form of a guide wire, or the tubular portion 21 "of the sheath 20" is made not of soft plastic material but of a shaped plastic material or metal.

Another possibility to pull the pump into the secondary sheath consists in holding the secondary sheath 20 "by means of the means 40 for holding the secondary sheath when the pump 30 'is moved in the distal direction, i.e. in particular when the pump 30' is transferred from the secondary sheath to the primary sheath.

A cross-section of the device holding a portion of secondary sheath 20 "is shown in fig. 11. The device 40 has an upper part 41 and a lower part 42 interconnected via a hinge 43. A recess is in the first part 41 or the second part 42, respectively, and said recess in the device 40 in the shown closed state defines a cavity 44. Lumen 44, which is configured as an internal lumen, is further configured such that second sheath 20 may be frictionally retained within the lumen. This can be achieved by a corresponding selection of the inner diameter of lumen 44 or the outer diameter of secondary sheath 20 or a roughened surface in the region of lumen 44. The protrusions in the area of the cavity 44 may also create a friction fit.

Referring to fig. 10, it can be seen that lumen 44 extends straight without bending, and thus, lumen 44 does not allow the shaft extending within shaft catheter 32' to bend if the shaft catheter is advanced in the distal direction with a lateral force. In addition, the device 40 enables improved grip for the operator of the system 200' introducing the pump.

Fig. 12 shows device 40 having lumen 44 with secondary sheath 20 secured within lumen 44. So that the distal end of the device 40 is proximal to the valve 13 of the primary sheath 10. Introducing the pump from the second sheath into the first sheath can be simplified when the first sheath 10 and the second sheath 20 are coupled.

Fig. 13a shows the distal end 22 in an embodiment of the sheath 20 of the second aspect of the invention. The distal end 22 has a rim 23 surrounding the lumen L and having an inner wall and an outer wall with a tapering thickness sloping inwardly, with the result that improved introduction of the sheath into the normal body lumen or primary sheath of the first aspect of the invention is possible. Likewise, the distal end 22 may be the end of a second sheath according to the first aspect of the invention. The possible proximal ends may have the same configuration.

FIG. 13b shows another variation; an additional feature is thus that the distal end has a flexible or resilient configuration, allowing for proper widening when pulled into the pump head, facilitating insertion. After the pump head is fully inserted, the distal end adopts the original shape again. The distal end of the secondary sheath may also be adapted to cooperate with the proximal end of the primary sheath by a resilient/flexible taper to facilitate coupling when the distal end of the secondary sheath is introduced towards the primary sheath.

Thus, it is shown herein that systems according to the first, second and third aspects may simplify handling and improve the introduction of a pump into a lumen.

Subsequently, another possible variant of the method to introduce a pump to the left ventricle is depicted. As a preliminary measure, the proximal pump is first filled with a sterile physiological saline solution, thereby completely degassing. Subsequently, the stripping sheath placed at the proximal end of the distal pump unit is advanced until the discharge hose, if present. The diameter of the peel-off sheath is about 10 Fr. After the peel-off sheath is pushed to the discharge hose, the peel-off sheath is surrounded by means for holding a secondary sheath. Subsequently, by exerting a pulling movement in the proximal direction on the shaft catheter, the distal pump unit is pulled into the stripping sheath and possibly accompanied by a slight rotation. The pump is shifted to the second sheath until the pigtail, if present, is also hidden in the stripping sheath. By these steps it is possible to test the functional capacity of the pump even before the operating procedure and subsequently introduce the pump into the sheath without time pressure. For example, only the vascular system for introducing the first sheath is subsequently punctured. However, in order to save time, it is also possible to use the solution in which the assistant prepares the pump and the user completes the puncture in a parallel manner.

For example, after a 9Fr introducer sheath is introduced into the left ventricle, the dilator that may be present is pulled from the introducer sheath and removed therefrom.

The pump, held in the peel-off sheath, is then surrounded by, for example, a device for holding a secondary sheath, and coupled to the hemostatic valve of the introducer sheath until the tip of the peel-off sheath abuts the interior of the introducer sheath, e.g., a 2cm length of the distal end of the peel-off sheath extends out of the distal end of the device. The pump is then transferred from the peel-away sheath to the introducer sheath by pushing the shaft catheter.

After the distal pump unit is fully delivered to the introducer sheath, which may be checked, for example, with reference to the optical markers of the shaft catheter shaft, the device holding the secondary sheath may be removed from the secondary sheath and the peel-off sheath may be stripped and removed from the shaft catheter. Subsequently, the pump is pushed inside the introducer sheath up to the left ventricle. The introducer sheath is then pulled back from the left ventricle to the beginning of the descending aorta.

The positioning of the distal pump unit in the left ventricle can be checked by e.g. radiology. For this purpose, the X-ray visible marking is located on the pump housing or the pump housing itself is X-ray visible. Likewise, in the outlet area, i.e. the outflow opening of the discharge hose, should be in the area of the descending aorta. The examination can also be made by X-ray visible markers. The tip of the pigtail, if present, should abut the tip of the left ventricle.

To remove the pump from the ventricle, the introducer sheath is pulled back with tension applied to the shaft catheter and removed from the arterial vasculature in a contracted state. Subsequently, the introducer sheath and other remaining components are removed from the vascular system.

Another aspect of the invention is the use of a long sheath during implantation and removal of the pump. The long sheath is not only used as a conventional means of introducing a pump into a normal body cavity as in the prior art, but is used to guide the pump within the lumen of the sheath to the vicinity of the operating site. In the medical field, it is advantageous that the sheath has a length of between 40 and 120 cm. This length is generally determined by the subsequent operating position of the pump and the patient's constitution. The long sheath may be provided by the first sheath of the system of the first aspect of the invention, on the one hand, and by the sheath of the system of the second aspect of the invention, on the other hand. A diagram of a long sheath and a distal pump unit in an operational state can be derived from fig. 14.

The long sheath 60 is formed by the first or second sheath of the system of the first aspect of the invention, or the sheath of the system of the second aspect of the invention, and terminates in the aortic arch 3, with the shaft catheter 32 of the pump 30 extending within the lumen of the long sheath and at the distal end of the lumen of the sheath. The distal pump unit 31 in the operating state is in the ventricle 4.

Alternatively, the length of the long sheath may be chosen such that its length ends in the ventricle before the pump decompresses, so that the distal pump unit is deployed only in the ventricle.

At the proximal end of the long sheath is a coupling 39' for coupling the shaft extending in the shaft catheter to the drive means.

The length of the long sheath is such that the distal pump unit is in the vicinity of the operating position.

Essentially two functions are attributed to the long sheath. In one aspect, a long sheath may guide the pump to an operating position.

Since the pump is retracted within the sheath lumen of the long sheath, separate guidance relative to the guidewire may simplify the transport of the pump to the site of use. In addition, it can be used to avoid complications or damage to the inner vessel wall. In particular self-expandable pumps, i.e. pumps without a self-actuating assembly for deploying the distal pump unit, is a significant simplification with respect to guiding the pump unit with a guide wire. On the other hand, a long sheath may simplify explantation of the pump. After the delivery action is completed, the pump unit is pulled into the distal end of the long sheath by pulling of the shaft catheter, and the pump unit is further contracted and then taken out in the sheath lumen of the long sheath or pulled out from the normal body cavity together with the long sheath.

If the pump is pulled out of the normal body cavity along with the long sheath, femoral bleeding is prevented by compression packing. Alternatively, the pump may be removed from the sheath lumen of the long sheath. An additional guidewire may then be placed in the sheath lumen, through which the device for closing the puncture may be guided after sheath removal. As a result, an improved hemostatic effect can be achieved.

If the first sheath of the system of the first aspect of the invention is configured as a long sheath, the system of the second aspect may be introduced into the proximal end of the long sheath. Subsequently, the second sheath may be removed from the shaft catheter and the pump guided within the sheath lumen of the long sheath to the operating position of the pump.

Alternatively, the long sheath may also be formed by a sheath in the sense of the system of the second aspect of the invention. The first sheath in the sense of the first aspect can be omitted. In this variant, the distal pump unit of the pump is first pulled into the distal end of the sheath lumen of the sheath of the second aspect of the invention. Subsequently, the sheath in the sense of the second aspect can be transported to the normal body cavity, for example by means of the seldinger technique. The sheath is then pushed into the vicinity of the operating position of the pump. Thus, the pushing is preferably effected outside the sheath. To be able to apply this method, the pump is guided via a guide wire. Such as through a guidewire lumen at the catheter tip or an additional sheath lumen.

The pump may be transported to the operating position in different ways. After the pump is at the distal end of the normal body lumen, the pump can be guided to the operating position by pushing the shaft catheter out of the sheath or outside of the sheath. It is ensured that the pump unit has to be pushed in the normal body vessel in the deployed state and on the basis of the pressure without the sheath lumen. In this variant, a long sheath is not required.

Although there are possible alternatives to guiding the pump unit to the operating position in the above described variant, it is preferred to guide the pump in a folded or compressed state to the vicinity of the operating position within the sheath lumen. For guiding the sheath in the vascular system, on the one hand a rapid exchange technique can be used, for example coupling a guide wire to a possibly present catheter tip and pushing the sheath along the guide wire. Alternatively, the sheath may include an additional sheath lumen for receiving the guidewire, which may be pressed forward toward the guidewire.

After the distal pump unit is pushed out of the distal end of the sheath lumen, the pump is only displaced a short distance forward. The small distance is less than 20cm when the human heart is in the operating position as a pump. The minor distance is defined by the ratio of the total length to the minor distance as a proportion of the total length of the long sheath to 3:1 or higher.

During treatment, the sheath may be maintained around the shaft catheter in the normal body vasculature. In this case, the sheath may be pulled into the distal end of the sheath for explantation and subsequent removal from the normal body vasculature as described in any of the preceding paragraphs.

Alternatively, if the long sheath involves stripping the sheath, it can be removed and removed after the pump is directed to the operating site. It has not been possible to explante the pump using the sheath. The implementation of pump explantation requires additional tools and forms the subject of the independent patentable subject matter of the present invention.

Additional tools are introduced into the vascular system only at the time of explantation. The additional tool has a lumen for introducing the distal pump unit. During this additional tool introduction, it is necessary to ensure that the non-sterile regions of the shaft catheter do not cross. Bacteria can enter the vascular system by crossing over the unsterilized area. In order to achieve a sterile introduction of additional tools, it is possible to pull out a part of the shaft catheter which is located in the vascular system from the lumen, since the part which was previously located in the vessel is free from foreign bacteria. The pump is used with the non-sterile region of the shaft conduit located outside the patient and extending to the drive coupling removed, for example by cutting. The shaft catheter may also have a suitable predetermined breakpoint. In this case, the additional tool may have a tubular or hose-like configuration and may be introduced directly via the severed catheter end. The proper handle makes the operation more convenient.

The inner diameter of the lumen of the additional tool essentially corresponds to the outer diameter of the catheter to be explanted or the outer diameter of the recompressed pump head. During detachment of the non-sterile region of the shaft catheter, it must be ensured that only the components of the pump that can be inserted into such a generated lumen remain at the distal end of the additional tool.

Alternatively, the additional tool may be configured as a longitudinally splittable tube. In this case, it is not necessary to separate the non-sterile catheter area, since the tool can also be placed directly in the removal area.

In the foregoing example, the system of the second aspect of the invention is described such that, when the system is delivered, the sheath is proximal to the distal pump unit and the user of the pump pulls the distal pump unit into the distal end of the sheath lumen of the sheath. Advantageously, the user can test the functional efficiency of the pump in advance. Alternatively, the system may even be delivered in connection with a distal pump unit that has been inserted. A commissioning of the pump is then performed at the workplace.

If the pump is a self-expanding pump, the second sheath of the system of the first aspect of the invention, in particular for compressing the distal pump unit, may be displaced in a variant of the system of the first aspect of the invention by a crimping tool.

The crimping tool has, at its distal end coupled to the proximal end of the primary sheath, for example a diaphragm which affects the compression of the distal pump unit of the pump when the distal pump unit is to be transported in the primary sheath. The diaphragm may be part of a funnel-shaped cone and at the distal end of the cone.

If a crimping tool is used, the distal pump unit is delivered into the primary sheath of the system of the first aspect of the invention by pushing.

In summary, the systems of the first, second and third aspect form independent inventions. The system and long sheath of the second aspect, the system and first long sheath of the first aspect, the system and second long sheath of the first aspect, the system of the first aspect, and the crimping tool in place of the second sheath provide further variations of the invention. Likewise, the corresponding embodiments of the systems of the first, second and third aspect may be applied in further variants of the invention.

The proposed treatment is also included in the present invention. And more particularly to implantation and/or explantation of pumps using long sheaths. The variants cited in the preceding paragraphs are also applicable to the implantation and/or explantation described in the present application.