Distal tip for a delivery catheter

摘要

Distal tips for use with delivery catheters are disclosed that are configured to maintain complete engagement between the distal tip and a distal opening of a sheath component of the delivery catheter so as to prevent separation therebetween and/or to prevent fish-mouthing of a distal leading edge of the sheath component during in vivo use. Distal tips so configured realize one or more of the objectives of safer tracking of the delivery catheter through the vasculature, safe crossing of the delivery catheter through structural components of the vasculature and heart, such as through native valves, and safe removal of the delivery catheter post deployment.

主权项

1. A delivery catheter for endoluminal delivery of a prosthesis comprising:
a tubular sheath component defining a distal opening and distally extending first and second arched portions, wherein the distal opening is defined by and between the distally extending first and second arched portions; an elongate inner shaft at least partially disposed within the sheath component; and a distal tip attached to the inner shaft that engages with the distal opening of the sheath component when the delivery catheter is in a delivery configuration and disengages from the distal opening when the delivery catheter is in a deployment configuration, the distal tip defining a distal segment and a proximal segment that are demarcated by a proximally facing bearing surface that forms a radially extending circumferential ridge that continuously extends around the entire circumference of the distal tip, wherein the circumferential ridge defines distally extending first and second valley portions that receive at least a crown of a corresponding first or second arched portion of the sheath component therein when the distal tip engages with the distal opening of the sheath component in the delivery configuration.