Apparatus and methods for implanting objects, such as bronchoscopically implanting markers in the lung of patients

摘要

Apparatuses and methods for implanting objects, such as a marker, in the lungs of patients. In one embodiment, a bronchoscopic catheter assembly for implanting an object in the lung of a patient includes a handle, a delivery catheter projecting outwardly from the handle, and a push wire contained within the catheter In one aspect of this embodiment, the catheter can be configured to releasably hold a plurality of markers at a distal end. In another aspect of this embodiment, the push wire can be operably connected to the handle and axially moveable within the delivery catheter to eject the marker out of the catheter within the bronchi of the patient. In a further aspect of this embodiment, the marker can further include an anti-migration device associated with the marker for holding the marker in place once the marker is deployed in the bronchi. The anti-migration device can be integral with the marker or positioned proximate to the marker to prevent migration of the marker.

主权项

1. A catheter assembly for delivering a marker into a lumen, the assembly comprising:
a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end configured to receive a marker, the distal end of the catheter configured to provide a rounded leading edge, wherein
the catheter is configured to be passed into a lumen for deployment of the marker, andthe distal end of the catheter has an unexpanded state and an expanded state; at least one marker contained at the distal end of the catheter, wherein the marker comprises a signal element configured to transmit location signals in response to an excitation energy, wherein
when the distal end of the catheter is in the unexpanded state before the marker is loaded in the catheter, the marker has an outer diameter greater than an inner diameter of the distal end of the catheter, andwhen the distal end of the catheter is in the expanded state, the distal end of the catheter releasably retains the marker by expanding around the marker; an actuator having a housing coupled to a proximal end of the catheter and moveable between a first position and a second position; and a wire fixedly attached to the actuator, wherein the wire is contained in the catheter and extends co-axially substantially the entire length of the catheter.