Exoskeleton devices for use with elongated medical instruments

Abstract

An exoskeleton device is capable of being applied to an outer surface of an elongated medical instrument, such as a catheter or a balloon (e.g., an angioplasty balloon, etc.). The exoskeleton device includes a sleeve or another element that is configured to be placed over a distal portion of the elongated medical instrument, one or more features on the sleeve or other element for performing a procedure within the body of a subject, and one or more elements that communicate with the sleeve or other element and/or the features carried thereby to enable performance of the procedure within the body of the subject. Methods of applying exoskeleton devices to elongated medical instruments and methods of using exoskeleton devices are also disclosed.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . An exoskeleton device configured for assembly with an elongated medical instrument, comprising:
 a sleeve with a configuration that:
 slides onto and surrounds a distal portion of an elongated medical instrument without extending proximally beyond the distal portion of the elongated medical instrument; and 
 remains on the elongated medical instrument during introduction of the elongated medical instrument into a body of a subject, use of the elongated medical instrument, and withdrawal of the elongated medical instrument from the body of the subject. 
   
     
     
         2 . The exoskeleton device of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve comprises an elongated tube. 
     
     
         3 . The exoskeleton device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a collar that circumferentially surrounds an engages a location along a length of the elongated medical instrument.   
     
     
         4 . The exoskeleton device of  claim 3 , wherein the collar holds the sleeve in place on the distal portion of the elongated medical instrument. 
     
     
         5 . The exoskeleton device of  claim 3 , wherein the collar is located at or adjacent to a proximal end of the sleeve. 
     
     
         6 . The exoskeleton device of  claim 3 , comprising a plurality of collars. 
     
     
         7 . The exoskeleton device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a tether extending proximally from the sleeve, positionable along a length of the elongated medical instrument.   
     
     
         8 . The exoskeleton device of  claim 7 , wherein the tether enables communication between a proximal end of the tether and the sleeve. 
     
     
         9 . The exoskeleton device of  claim 8 , wherein the tether enables communication of fluids between the proximal end of the tether and the sleeve. 
     
     
         10 . The exoskeleton device of  claim 8 , wherein the tether enables communication of signals between the proximal end of the tether and the sleeve. 
     
     
         11 . A method for conducting a medical procedure, comprising:
 selecting an elongated medical instrument from a plurality of elongated medical instruments useful in the medical procedure;   securing an exoskeleton device that enables the medical procedure to a distal portion of the elongated medical instrument;   introducing the distal portion of the elongated medical instrument and the exoskeleton device secured thereto to a site within a body of a subject where the medical procedure is to be conducted;   performing the medical procedure at the site within the body of the subject; and   withdrawing the distal portion of the elongated medical instrument and the exoskeleton device secured thereto from the body of the subject.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein performing the medical procedure includes expanding at least a portion of the exoskeleton device. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein performing the medical procedure includes communicating fluids between a location outside the body of the subject and the site within the body of the subject. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein performing the medical procedure includes communicating signals between a location outside the body of the subject and the site within the body of the subject. 
     
     
         15 . An exoskeleton device configured for assembly with an elongated medical instrument, comprising:
 a distal portion comprising a body positionable over and securable to a distal portion of an elongated medical instrument; and   a proximal portion extending proximally from the body to enable communication along a length of the elongated medical instrument, between a location adjacent to a proximal end of the elongated medical instrument and the body.   
     
     
         16 . The exoskeleton device of  claim 15 , wherein the proximal portion of the exoskeleton device enables communication of fluids between the location adjacent to the proximal end of the elongated medical instrument and the body of the exoskeleton device. 
     
     
         17 . The exoskeleton device of  claim 15 , wherein the proximal portion of the exoskeleton device enables communication of signals between the location adjacent to the proximal end of the elongated medical instrument and the body of the exoskeleton device. 
     
     
         18 . The exoskeleton device of  claim 17 , wherein the proximal portion of the exoskeleton device enables communication of electrical signals between the location adjacent to the proximal end of the elongated medical instrument and the body of the exoskeleton device. 
     
     
         19 . The exoskeleton device of  claim 15 , wherein the proximal portion of the exoskeleton device ensure that the body remains in place on the distal portion of the elongated medical instrument during movement of the distal portion of the elongated medical instrument through a body of a subject. 
     
     
         20 . The exoskeleton device of  claim 15 , wherein the proximal portion of the exoskeleton device comprises a tether extending proximally from the body of the exoskeleton device.