Tip protector sleeve

Abstract

Assemblies and methods of inserting a delivery catheter assembly into a working channel are disclosed. In accordance with some embodiments, a delivery catheter assembly is disclosed in which a tip protector sleeve is locked onto an elongated catheter sheath and slideable over a length of the elongated catheter sheath between a proximal-stop position and a distal-stop position along the elongated catheter sheath.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of forming a delivery catheter assembly comprising:
 sliding a tip protector sleeve over a distal end of an elongated catheter sheath and toward a control device;   fixing a bump onto a distal region of the elongated catheter sheath, wherein the bump prevents the tip protector sleeve from sliding off of a distal end of the elongated catheter sheath.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein fixing a bump onto a distal region of the elongated catheter sheath comprises crimping. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein crimping comprises crimping a distal end of a band onto the elongated catheter sheath. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising not crimping a proximal end of the band onto the elongated catheter shaft. 
     
     
         5 . A method of delivering an insert comprising:
 providing a delivery catheter assembly comprising:
 a control device; 
 an elongated catheter sheath having a distal end and a proximal end connected to the control device; 
 an insert releasably disposed within the elongated catheter sheath; and 
 a tip protector sleeve locked onto the elongated catheter sheath and slideable over a length of the elongated catheter sheath between a proximal-stop position and a distal-stop position along the elongated catheter sheath; 
   positioning the tip protector sleeve at the distal-stop position;   inserting the tip protector sleeve through an access port of a hysteroscope system and into a working channel of the hysteroscope system;   advancing the distal end of the elongated catheter sheath to a target location within a body lumen; and   deploying the insert inside the body lumen.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein inserting the tip protector sleeve further comprises advancing a distal end of the tip protector sleeve past a valve clamp of the hysteroscope system. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein inserting the tip protector sleeve comprises advancing the tip protector sleeve into the working channel until a flanged mechanical stop on the tip protector sleeve abuts the access port or a sealing cap coupled to the access port. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the distal end of the elongated catheter sheath is advanced to the target location within the body lumen while the flanged mechanical stop on the tip protector sleeve abuts the access port or the sealing cap. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising removing the delivery catheter assembly from the working channel after deploying the insert inside the body lumen. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein removing the delivery catheter assembly from the working channel comprises withdrawing a bump on the elongated catheter sheath proximally against a backstop of the tip protector sleeve to cause the tip protector sleeve to be withdrawn from the working channel. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising tightening a sealing valve of the tip protector sleeve onto the elongated catheter sheath after positioning the tip protector sleeve at the distal-stop position, and prior to inserting the tip protector sleeve through the access port of the hysteroscope system.