CPC A61B 17/3468 (2013.01) [A61B 17/3462 (2013.01); A61M 25/0637 (2013.01); A61M 25/0668 (2013.01); A61N 1/372 (2013.01); A61M 2039/229 (2013.01)] | 13 Claims |
1. An intravascular delivery system configured for efficient delivery of a therapeutic catheter to a target site in a blood vessel of interest, comprising:
a splittable outer member configured by a flexible substantially cylindrically contoured wall forming an elongated outer delivery sheath, said outer delivery sheath defining a sheath lumen having a proximal end, a distal end, and an outer member shaft extending between said proximal end and said distal end, wherein said outer member shaft is configured with a tapered outer tip at said distal end of said sheath lumen and at least one tear seam extending longitudinally along said cylindrically contoured wall of said splittable outer member between said proximal and distal ends of said sheath lumen, wherein said splittable outer member assumes a closed configuration when said at least one tear seam is intact and a split configuration, when said at least one tear seam is opened;
an inner member having an elongated body formed by an inner member wall, said inner member wall defining an internal channel extending along the longitudinal axis of said inner member, wherein said inner member is removably received in and extends internally along said sheath lumen of said splittable outer member in a controllable relationship with said outer delivery sheath, said inner member having a proximal end and a tapered distal tip displaceable along a guide wire beyond said distal end of said outer delivery sheath; and
an interconnection mechanism disposed in an operative coupling with said inner member and said splittable outer member and controllably actuated to operate said intravascular delivery system intermittently in an engaged and disengaged mode of operation;
wherein, in said engaged mode of operation, said inner member and splittable outer member of said intravascular delivery system are engaged for a controllable common displacement along the guide wire;
wherein, in said disengaged mode of operation, said inner and outer members are disengaged for displacement of said inner member and said splittable outer member relative one another;
wherein, in said disengaged mode of operation, said splittable outer member is split along said at least one tear seam thereof for removal from said blood vessel of interest,
wherein said outer member shaft includes a reinforcement structure extending along a length of said outer member shaft between said proximal and distal ends of said sheath lumen thereof, a flexible encapsulating sheath enveloping said outer member shaft, and a tear wire encapsulated in said flexible encapsulating sheath in alignment with said at least one tear seam of said outer member shaft,
wherein said reinforcement structure of said outer member shaft includes a plurality of C-shaped rings coupled to a spine structure and disposed in a spaced apart mutual relationship with one another along the length of said outer shaft member, each of said C-shaped rings having an opening, said openings of said plurality of C-shaped rings being aligned with one another and coinciding with said at least one tear seam of said outer member shaft, wherein said tear wire is positioned in said aligned openings of said plurality of C-shaped rings.
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