Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
249 words
A catheter for transvascular development of a radially compressible medical device, comprising an elongate tubular outer body having a proximal end and a distal end, a tubular housing portion formed at the distal end of the body for reception of the medical device in a collapsed state, a deployment means for engagement with the medical device being movable through the housing portion to move the medical device between a collapsed stored position within the housing portion and a deployment position externally of the housing portion, and loading means for radially collapsing the medical device for engagement within the housing portion, the loading means being movable relative to the body for engagement with the medical device, the loading means comprises a tubular sheath having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the sheath being slidably mounted within the distal end of the body, the distal end of the sheath having a tubular side wall with two or more circumferentially spaced apart helical slits in the side wall of the sheath extending proximally from a distal end of the sheath, the slits sub-dividing the tubular side wall of the distal end of the sheath into a number of complementary tube sections which are movable between a closed position defining a tubular housing for reception of the medical device and an open position to enlarge the distal end of the sheath when the distal end of the sheath is moved outwardly of the distal end of the body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
249 words
A catheter for transvascular development of a radially compressible medical device, comprising an elongate tubular outer body having a proximal end and a distal end, a tubular housing portion formed at the distal end of the body for reception of the medical device in a collapsed state, a deployment means for engagement with the medical device being movable through the housing portion to move the medical device between a collapsed stored position within the housing portion and a deployment position externally of the housing portion, and loading means for radially collapsing the medical device for engagement within the housing portion, the loading means being movable relative to the body for engagement with the medical device, the loading means comprises a tubular sheath having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the sheath being slidably mounted within the distal end of the body, the distal end of the sheath having a tubular side wall with two or more circumferentially spaced apart helical slits in the side wall of the sheath extending proximally from a distal end of the sheath, the slits sub-dividing the tubular side wall of the distal end of the sheath into a number of complementary tube sections which are movable between a closed position defining a tubular housing for reception of the medical device and an open position to enlarge the distal end of the sheath when the distal end of the sheath is moved outwardly of the distal end of the body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A catheter as claimed in claim 1 , wherein each tube section has a proximal end hingedly connected to the sheath body by a hinge.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A catheter as claimed in claim 2 , wherein each hinge is integrally formed with the sheath.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A catheter as claimed in claim 2 wherein each hinge is biased to urge the tube section towards the open position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
A catheter as claimed in claim 1 , wherein a pair of slits are provided in the distal end of the sheath, sub-dividing the distal end of the sheath into two complementary tube sections hingedly connected at their proximal ends to a body portion of the sheath.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
A catheter as claimed in claim 1 , wherein three slits are provided in the distal end of the sheath, sub-dividing the distal end of the sheath into three complementary tube sections hingedly connected at their proximal ends to a body portion of the sheath.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
A catheter as claimed in claim 1 , wherein four slits are provided in the distal end of the sheath, sub-dividing the distal end of the sheath into four complementary tube sections hingedly connected at their proximal ends to a body portion of the sheath.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A catheter as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the deployment means for the medical device is a guidewire extending through the sheath.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A catheter as claimed in claim 1 in which the catheter body is formed from a low friction material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
A catheter as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the medical device includes a medical implant.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
241 words
A catheter for transvascular development of a radially compressible medical device, comprising an elongate tubular body having a proximal end and a distal end, a tubular housing portion formed at the distal end of the body for reception of the medical device in a collapsed state; a deployment device adapted to engage the medical device being movable through the housing portion to move the medical device between a collapsed stored position within the housing portion and a deployment position externally of the housing portion; and a tubular sheath adapted to assist in radially collapsing the medical device for engagement within the housing, the tubular sheath being movable relative to the body for engagement with the medical device, and comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the tubular sheath being slidably mounted within the distal end of the body, the distal end of the tubular sheath having a tubular side wall with two or more helical slits extending proximally from a distal end of the tubular sheath, and the slits sub-dividing the tubular side wall of the distal end of the tubular sheath into a number of tube sections which are movable between a closed position defining a tubular housing for reception of the medical device and an open position to enlarge the distal end of the tubular sheath when the distal end of the tubular sheath is moved outwardly of the distal end of the body.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
241 words
A catheter for transvascular development of a radially compressible medical device, comprising an elongate tubular body having a proximal end and a distal end, a tubular housing portion formed at the distal end of the body for reception of the medical device in a collapsed state; a deployment device adapted to engage the medical device being movable through the housing portion to move the medical device between a collapsed stored position within the housing portion and a deployment position externally of the housing portion; and a tubular sheath adapted to assist in radially collapsing the medical device for engagement within the housing, the tubular sheath being movable relative to the body for engagement with the medical device, and comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the tubular sheath being slidably mounted within the distal end of the body, the distal end of the tubular sheath having a tubular side wall with two or more helical slits extending proximally from a distal end of the tubular sheath, and the slits sub-dividing the tubular side wall of the distal end of the tubular sheath into a number of tube sections which are movable between a closed position defining a tubular housing for reception of the medical device and an open position to enlarge the distal end of the tubular sheath when the distal end of the tubular sheath is moved outwardly of the distal end of the body.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
A catheter as claimed in claim 11 , wherein each tube section has an proximal end hingedly connected to a body portion of the tubular sheath.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
A catheter as claimed in claim 11 wherein each tube section is biased towards the open position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
47 words
A catheter as claimed in claim 11 wherein a pair of slits are provided in the distal end of the sheath, sub-dividing the distal end of the sheath into two complementary tube sections hingedly connected at their proximal ends to a body portion of the tubular sheath.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
46 words
A catheter as claimed in claim 11 , wherein three slits are provided in the distal end of the sheath, sub-dividing the distal end of the sheath into three complementary tube sections hingedly connected at their proximal ends to a body portion of the tubular sheath.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
46 words
A catheter as claimed in claim 11 , wherein four slits are provided in the distal end of the sheath, sub-dividing the distal end of the sheath into four complementary tube sections hingedly connected at their proximal ends to a body portion of the tubular sheath.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
A catheter as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the deployment device is a guidewide extending through the tubular sheath.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
A catheter as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the catheter body is formed from a low friction material.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
A catheter as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the medical device includes a medical implant.