Abstract:
A grip assembly for an embolic delivery device is described, where said grip assembly includes an integral wiping system utilizing one or more wipers. The grip assembly is constructed and arranged to allow an embolic delivery device to be inserted into the grip quickly and easily, without shifting undue attention away from the patient to the device. The wiper or wipers prevent any fluids or debris that may be present on a proximal end of the embolic delivery device from entering the interior of the grip assembly, thereby preserving a clean environment for making solid electrical connections between contacts in the grip assembly and corresponding contacts on the embolic delivery device.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/770,198 filed Feb. 27, 2013 entitled Integral Wiping System, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Embolic agents, such as coils, are often used to treat various intravascular conditions such as arteriovenous malformations (AVM), aneurysms, and fistulas. These agents fill the cavity and limit blood flow to these regions to reduce the chance of any bursting of the blood vessel. Embolic delivery systems must have a precise detachment mechanism to ensure proper and reliable detachment of the embolic agent once they are placed within the treatment site. One example of an embolic delivery system utilizes a pusher system and a grip system which the pusher system is inserted into. The grip system has a series of electrical contacts and when particular elements of the pusher system line up with the electrical contacts, a detachment sequence can be initialized by the user. This detachment sequence can be initiated by depressing a button on the grip system to release the embolic agent. 
         [0003]    Blood, saline, or other fluids can cause contamination of these electrical contacts and may cause deterioration of the connection integrity between the pusher system and grip system. Deterioration of the connection integrity may result in the detachment sequence not functioning correctly. The inclusion of one or more wipers between the sets of contacts is one technique to reduce the potential of fluid to degrade these electrical contacts. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    A grip assembly for an embolic delivery device is described, where the grip assembly includes an integral wiping system utilizing one or more wipers. The wipers are positioned and sized to engage a proximal end portion of an electrical medical device, such as an embolic delivery device, such that electrical contacts on the proximal end portion are wiped clean while being inserted into the grip assembly. 
         [0005]    One aspect of the invention pertains to a grip assembly for a medical delivery system that includes a housing defining at least one channel sized to receive a proximal end of a medical delivery system; an electrical contact contained within the at least one channel and positioned to establish an electrical connection with an electrical contact on an external surface of the medical delivery system; and at least one annular wiper disposed within the housing and having a diameter smaller than a diameter of the proximal end of the medical delivery system, thereby creating an interference fit between the wiper and the medical delivery system, when the medical delivery system is inserted in the housing, that prevents dirt and/or fluid on the medical delivery system from passing by the wiper. 
         [0006]    The at least one channel may comprise a plurality of channels. These channels may be coaxial in order to accommodate a medical delivery system that uses a single-pronged male connector configuration. This configuration is advantageous as it is easily inserted into the channels without regard to orientation. 
         [0007]    In one aspect of the invention, the at least one wiper comprises a plurality of annular wipers, each of the wipers placed proximate one of the plurality of coaxial channels. These wipers and channels may be arranged in an alternating configuration. 
         [0008]    Another aspect of the invention pertains to a grip assembly for controlling an electrical medical device comprising: at least one channel for receiving a proximal portion of the medical device; an electrical contact for establishing an electrical connection with a corresponding electrical contact on the proximal portion of the medical device; a power supply operably associated with the electrical contact for supplying the medical device with electricity; and at least one wiper coaxial with the at least one channel and having an inner diameter smaller than the at least one channel, such that when the medical device is inserted into the at least one channel, an interference fit is established between the medical device and the at least one wiper such that fluid and/or debris are prevented from entering the at least one channel. 
         [0009]    Another aspect of the invention pertains to a method of establishing a clean electrical connection between a powered grip and a medical device inserted into the grip comprising providing at least one wiper in the grip, the wiper disposed to interfere with an electrical contact on a medical device being inserted into the grip without preventing the medical from being inserted into the grip. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    These and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent and elucidated from the following description of embodiments of the present invention, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a grip system used as part of an embolic delivery system of the invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a pusher/grip connector of the invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is an exploded elevation of the embodiment of the grip system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of the grip system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is an elevation of an embodiment of a circuit board for use with the grip system of the invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a detailed cutaway view of an embodiment of an integral wiping system of the invention; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a detailed cutaway view of an embodiment of an integral wiping system of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0018]    Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. The terminology used in the detailed description of the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings is not intended to be limiting of the invention. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements. 
         [0019]    Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  illustrates a grip system  10  used as part of an embolic delivery system  1 . The embolic delivery system  1  can be used, for example, to deliver embolic coils to a treatment site within the vasculature. The embolic delivery system  1  includes grip system  10 , and a separate pusher system  80 , which is inserted into grip system  10 . The pusher system  80 , which is connected to the embolic coil, can be inserted into the grip system  10  in order to facilitate deployment and detachment of the coil once the coil is delivered to a target site in the vasculature. 
         [0021]      FIGS. 3-7  detail the various components of the grip system  10 . Externally, grip system  10  has a top housing  12  and bottom housing  14 , and a funnel  18  that is part of a pusher/grip connector  20  that is best seen in  FIG. 2 . The pusher/grip connector  20  includes funnel  18 , push button  16 , and contains channels  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28 . Although four channels are shown in  FIG. 2 , fewer or more channels can be used. These channels contain electrical connections which are used to detect when the pusher system  80  is correctly inserted into grip system  10  and when the embolic coils connected to the pusher system  80  can be detached within the vasculature. 
         [0022]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the funnel  18  narrows to an opening that is coaxial with all four channels  22 ,  24 ,  26  and  28 . This embodiment is designed for use with a pusher system  80 , such as that shown in  FIG. 1 , that has a proximal end  81  having a plurality of external, circumferential electrical contacts  82 ,  84 ,  86  and  88 . These contacts correspond to the channels  22 ,  24 ,  26  and  28 . As such, when the proximal end  81  is pushed into the grip system  10 , the funnel  18  directs the end  81  into the channels  22 ,  24 ,  26  and  28 , without requiring the physician to shift focus away from the procedure being performed. An advantage to the axial design shown in  FIG. 2  is that electrical connections are established without requiring a specific orientation of the pusher system  80  relative to the grip system  10 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the grip system  10  from  FIG. 1 , showing more of the components. In addition to a top housing  12 , bottom housing  14 , and a pusher/grip connector  20 , the grip system  10  also includes a control system  30 . Control system  30  includes a power source  42 , which is connected to circuit board  44 . In one example, batteries can be used as a power source. In another example, three 12 Volt batteries can be used as a power source. In another example, a single 9 Volt battery can be used as a power source.  FIG. 4  offers an exploded view showing an example of a power source, in this case a three battery power source  42 . 
         [0024]      FIG. 3  shows that control system  30  is connected to channels  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28  of the pusher/grip connector  20  via corresponding connectors  32 ,  34 ,  36 ,  38 , which are inserted into the channels. Connectors  32 ,  34 ,  36 ,  38  are in turn connected to circuit board  44  as a part of control system  30 . 
         [0025]    Circuit board  44  is shown in greater detail in  FIG. 5 . The circuit board is connected to a back button  46 . Back button  46  sits directly behind push button  16  of the pusher/grip connector  20 . When the user pushes button  16 , button  16  impinges back button  46  and this action is relayed through control system  30  via circuit board  44 . Control system  30  includes a light  48  mounted to circuit board  44 . Light  48  indicates when the leads within pusher/grip connector  20  are lined up correctly and the detachment sequence can be initiated. One color light (i.e. green) indicates the leads are lined up correctly and the detachment sequence can initiate. Another color light (i.e. red) indicates the detachment sequence cannot initiate as the signal is not registering properly. An audible alarm  50  is also included to audibly indicate that the detachment sequence can be initiated. 
         [0026]    Connectors  32 ,  34 ,  36 ,  38  of control system  30  are mounted to circuit board  44  and fit within corresponding channels  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28  within pusher/grip connector  20 . Although four connectors and four channels are shown in the Figures, fewer or more connectors and channels can be used. The connectors sense when a proper connection is made between the leads of the pusher system and the electrical connections of the pusher/grip connector, and thus when a detachment sequence can be initiated. The connectors can be made of any conductive metal. 
         [0027]      FIGS. 6-7  illustrate the interface between pusher/grip connector  20  and pusher system  80 .  FIG. 6  shows the pusher/grip connector  20  and the series of channels  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28 . The channels contain a series of contacts  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58  respectively housed in each channel. Connectors  32 ,  34 ,  36 ,  38  are in turn connected to circuit board  44  as a part of control system  30 . 
         [0028]    The user inserts pusher system  80  into the pusher/grip connector  20 . The proximal end of pusher system  80  is pushed into pusher/grip connector  20  of grip system  10 , while a distal end of the pusher system sits within the vasculature system. The distal end of pusher system  80  is connected to an embolic agent, such as embolic coil (not shown). At a more distal portion of the pusher system, a release agent such as a heater coil can be used to release the embolic coils from the pusher system when desired. The heater coil would heat a junction between pusher system  80  and the embolic coil, causing the coils to sever and detach within the vasculature. 
         [0029]    Pusher system  80  has a number of contacts  82 ,  84 ,  86 ,  88  which mate with corresponding contacts  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58  of the pusher/grip connector  20  in a male/female relationship. Pusher system  80  may have a number of blank leads  92 ,  94 ,  96 ,  98  which sit between contacts  82 ,  84 ,  86 ,  88 . These blank leads correspond to sections of pusher/grip connector  20  which do not have contacts. Alternatively, pusher system  80  may have a solid contact block which interfaces with contacts  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58 . In one example pusher system  80  is comprised of one solid contact block made of stainless steel with gold plating. In another example contact sections  82 ,  84 ,  86 ,  88  are made of stainless steel with gold plating and sections  92 ,  94 ,  96 ,  98  have an epoxy coating. In another example sections  82 ,  84 ,  86 ,  88 ,  92  are made of stainless steel with gold plating and the rest of the sections have an epoxy coating. In another example sections  82 ,  84 ,  86 ,  88 ,  92 ,  98  are made of stainless steel with gold plating and the rest of the sections have an epoxy coating. Although  FIGS. 6-7  show four contacts within pusher/grip connector  20  and four contacts on pusher system  80 , more or fewer contacts can be used. 
         [0030]    Sections of pusher/grip connector  20  which do not have contacts have wipers  70  filling the space. Ordinarily, any fluid accumulation on any section of pusher system  80  can result in deterioration of connection integrity between the pusher contacts and the pusher/grip contacts. Deterioration in connection integrity can cause the detachment sequence to not initiate properly. The user may be able to manually wipe the leads  80  to remove any liquid, however, the wiping apparatus the user uses may be corrupted with liquid (such as blood or saline). Wipers  70  wipe away any liquid which may accumulate on pusher system  80 , thus reducing the chance of the connection integrity failing, thus reducing the chance of the detachment sequence not initiating properly. The wipers may be made out of materials which promote absorption of typical contaminating liquids such as saline and blood. Absorbable substances such as paper, cloth, sponge, or polymeric material could be used. The wipers may take on a plurality of shapes, i.e. circular, ellipsoid, rectangular, square, triangular, polygonal, etc. In addition, various combinations of materials and shapes can be used for the wipers to customize the wiping capability of each section. 
         [0031]    In  FIGS. 6-7 , three wipers are used corresponding to the sections which sit between contacts  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58 . Such a configuration is offered only as an example. In the particular configuration shown the wipers sequentially wipe each portion of the pusher system  80  that is pushed through the wipers, thus minimizing the chance of fluid buildup which can degrade the electrical connection system. More or fewer wipers can be used (i.e. in the three section configuration shown, the proximal and distal end sections may utilize a wiper while the middle section does not, or just the middle and distal end section portion, or a wiper may be utilized on only one of the proximal/distal/middle sections, etc.) Fewer wipers may be utilized in a situation where highly absorbent material is used. The wiper size may also vary (i.e. filling just a portion of the section it sits in, or filling substantially all of the section if sits in). This size can vary both in height and in width. Additionally, the number of sections may vary from one to more than three, and the wipers in turn can sit within one or more sections. Additionally, more than one wiper can be used in each section. 
         [0032]    Preferably, the wipers  70  are annular and sized to place a moderate amount of pressure on the pusher system  80  when the proximal end  81  of the pusher system  80  is inserted into pusher/grip connector  20 . This friction fit ensures an efficient cleaning of the pusher system  80  as it is inserted. Additionally, the use of multiple wipers  70  further protects the inner components of the pusher/grip connector  20  from contamination. 
         [0033]    A typical operation of the device is as follows. The user would insert a proximal end  81  of pusher system  80  into the pusher/grip connector  20  of grip system  10 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . As the proximal end of pusher system is inserted into the pusher/grip connector  20 , fluid present on any section of pusher system  80  would be wiped from the pusher by wipers  70 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , when the pusher system  80  is correctly aligned within pusher/grip connector  20 , contact sections  82 ,  84 ,  86 ,  88  of the pusher system will directly align with contacts  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  68  of the pusher/grip connector. Connectors  32 ,  34 ,  36 ,  38 —which are connected respectively to contacts  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58 —will convey a signal when the pusher contacts  82 ,  84 ,  86 ,  66  are aligned with pusher/grip connector contacts  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  68 . If the respective connectors are aligned correctly, the signal will be conveyed through connectors  32 ,  34 ,  36 ,  38  via control system  30 . Light  48  will subsequently light up a particular color (i.e. green), indicating that a detachment sequence can be initiated. To initiate the detachment sequence the user pushes button  16 . Pushing button  16  will initiate depression of back button  46  which sits behind button  16 . This will result in detachment of the embolic coils from pusher system  80  at a more distal portion of pusher system  80 . In one example, pushing button  16  initiates the heating of a heater coil at a more distal portion of pusher system  80 , where pusher system  80  is connected to an embolic coil. This heating will result in detachment of the embolic coil from the pusher system. Thus the embolic coil will be detached within the target area of the vasculature. 
         [0034]    Although the invention has been described in terms of particular embodiments and applications, one of ordinary skill in the art, in light of this teaching, can generate additional embodiments and modifications without departing from the spirit of or exceeding the scope of the claimed invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the drawings and descriptions herein are proffered by way of example to facilitate comprehension of the invention and should not be construed to limit the scope thereof.