Valve loader method, system, and apparatus

Abstract

A valve loading system is provided that uses a valve loader to transfer a valve or other medical device from a storage cartridge into a deployment catheter. The valve or other medical device can be implanted or positioned within a patient using the catheter after the valve or other medical device has been compressed and loaded into the catheter using the valve loader. The process then can be repeated by using the valve loading system to load or introduce another valve or other medical device into the catheter.

1 . A deployment catheter for deployment of a medical device, the deployment catheter comprising:
 a catheter shaft comprising a proximal end and a distal end and a lumen extending through the catheter shaft;   a first cavity inside a distal portion of the catheter shaft adapted to receive a medical device, wherein the medical device is a valve; and   a stabilization wire extending through the lumen of the catheter shaft, the stabilization wire comprising a second cavity disposed at a distal end of the stabilization wire, the second cavity configured to receive at least a portion of the medical device, wherein the catheter shaft retracts relative to the stabilization wire during deployment of the medical device.   
     
     
         2 . The deployment catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the second cavity comprises an open end and a closed end, wherein the closed end comprises a flat surface that is perpendicular relative to side walls of the second cavity. 
     
     
         3 . The deployment catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the second cavity comprises an open end and a closed end, wherein the closed end comprises a conical configuration. 
     
     
         4 . The deployment catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the second cavity comprises an open end and a closed end, wherein the closed end comprises a hemispherical configuration. 
     
     
         5 . The deployment catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the stabilization wire comprises a distal end that is chamfered. 
     
     
         6 . The deployment catheter of  claim 1 , further comprising a locator marking disposed on a side wall of the catheter shaft and along the distal portion of the catheter shaft, the locator marking being viewable from an outside of the catheter shaft, and the locator marking corresponding to an approximate deployment site of the medical device disposed within the catheter shaft. 
     
     
         7 . The deployment catheter of  claim 6 , wherein the locator marking is yellow. 
     
     
         8 . The deployment catheter of  claim 6 , wherein the locator marking comprises a yellow pigmented band with two black pigmented bands disposed adjacent on either side of the yellow pigmented band. 
     
     
         9 . The deployment catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the catheter shaft comprising at least one opening on a side wall of the catheter shaft. 
     
     
         10 . The deployment catheter of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one opening permits a sterilizing gas or fluids to pass into the lumen of the catheter shaft. 
     
     
         11 . The deployment catheter of  claim 1 , further comprising a rigid tip disposed at the distal end of the first cavity inside the catheter shaft, the rigid tip able to accommodate at least a portion of the medical device loaded therein. 
     
     
         12 . The deployment catheter of  claim 11 , wherein the rigid tip comprises a material configured to reduce scoring of an inside surface of the rigid tip by anchors of the medical device. 
     
     
         13 . The deployment catheter of  claim 11  further comprising an at least partially transparent segment disposed between the locator marking and the rigid tip, the at least partially transparent segment permitting visualization of at least a portion of the first cavity near the distal end of the catheter shaft. 
     
     
         14 . A deployment catheter for deployment of a medical device, the deployment catheter comprising:
 a catheter shaft comprising a proximal end and a distal end and a lumen extending through the catheter shaft;   a cavity inside a distal portion of the catheter shaft adapted to receive a medical device, wherein the medical device is a valve; and   a locator marking disposed on a side wall of the catheter shaft and along the distal portion of the catheter shaft, the locator marking being viewable from an outside of the catheter shaft, and the locator marking corresponding to an approximate deployment site of the medical device disposed within the catheter shaft,   wherein the locator marking comprises at least a yellow band.   
     
     
         15 . The deployment catheter of  claim 14 , wherein the locator marking further comprises two black bands disposed adjacent on either side of the yellow band. 
     
     
         16 . The deployment catheter of  claim 14 , wherein the locator marking is a pigmented band. 
     
     
         17 . The deployment catheter of  claim 14 , wherein the locator marking is embedded in the catheter shaft. 
     
     
         18 . The deployment catheter of  claim 14 , wherein the yellow band is positioned over a proximal end of the medical device prior to deployment of the medical device. 
     
     
         19 . A method of deploying a medical device in a lung, comprising
 loading a medical device into a distal end of a catheter, the catheter comprising locator markings corresponding to a location of the medical device;   inserting the catheter into a bronchoscope;   directing the bronchoscope to a portion of a lung to be treated with the medical device;   aligning the locator markings with the portion of a lung to be treated; and   deploying the medical device at the portion of a lung to be treated.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the medical device is a one-way valve.