BIPOLAR ELECTROCAUTERY VALVULOTOME
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to apparatuses for removing or disabling valves within veins and more particularly to an electrocautery valvulotome . The invention also relates to side- branch ligation in conjunction with bypass graft procedures.
2. Description of Related Art
There are several surgical procedures of which cutting valves in veins is an integral part. Exemplary procedures include bypass grafts in lower extremities and coronary artery bypass grafts. Several mechanical valvulotomes have been devised to date to cut valves in veins .
The most common valvulotome in use is the mechanical valvulotome, of which Leather & Karmody is an example, which is a set of instruments consisting of knives and scissors specially designed to be passed into veins to cut the valves mechanically.
A disadvantage with the conventional valvulotome, exemplified by the Leather & Karmody valvulotome, is that there is a considerable learning curve, and its use is time consuming even for the experienced surgeon. Another disadvantage of the mechanical valvulotome is that multiple incisions in the vein have to be made to pass the valvulotome. Yet another disadvantage of the mechanical valvulotome is the possibility of injury to the walls of the vein. Moreover, there is the possibility that a valve could be missed since the
valvulotome could slip past the valve. This potential problem is of major concern as it would lead to intraoperative angiograms and increased length of the primary surgical procedure. Yet a further perceived disadvantage with the mechanical valvulotome is that it is designed to make a radial cut in the valve rather than a circular cut, which would excise the valve completely. Some recently developed valvulotome designs have addressed this issue and proposed to cut the valve in a circular fashion. Nevertheless, the other disadvantages noted above remain.
Other known valvulotomes are not in very frequent use at the present time but most have one or more of the problems discussed above with respect to the mechanical valvulotome.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to provide a valvulotome that can be quickly and effectively used to disable venous valves via a single incision.
It is likewise an object of the invention to provide a valvulotome which minimizes trauma to the side walls of the vein. It is also an object of the invention to provide a valvulotome wherein the valve disabling action is adjustable and therefore more control can be exercised on the excision of the valve.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a valvulotome that may be adapted to cut venous valves in a circular or circumferential manner and therefore overcome the potential disadvantages of incising but not removing valves completely.
The foregoing and other objects of the invention are realized by providing a valvulotome including first and second opposed electrodes, one mounted for movement relative to the other. In use a valve to be disabled is located between the electrodes and the electrode (s) are displaced into engagement with the valve leaflets. An electrical current source coupled to the electrodes is then actuated whereby the valve is ablated. Other objects, features, and characteristics of the present invention as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structure, and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 is a schematic cross-section of an electrocautery valvulotome provided in accordance with the present invention; FIGURE 2 is an end view of an exemplary fixed electrode configuration provided in accordance with the present invention, taken along line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;
FIGURE 3A is a first alternate embodiment of a moveable electrode configuration in accordance with the invention, taken along line 3-3 of FIGURE l;
FIGURE 3B is a second alternate moveable electrode configuration in accordance with the invention, taken along line 3-3 of FIGURE 1;
FIGURES 4A and 4B illustrate exemplary alternate configurations of the moveable head and fixed electrode components of the valvulotome provided in accordance with the present invention; FIGURES 5A and 5B illustrate another exemplary embodiment of the valvulotome head with electrodes, in non-engaged and engaged dispositions, respectively;
FIGURES 6A and 6B illustrate further exemplary alternate embodiments of the valvulotome of the present invention wherein the moveable head has a passage defined therethrough;
FIGURE 7 illustrates an exemplary use of the valvulotome of FIGURE 6B; and FIGURE 8 illustrates a further optional feature of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
With reference to FIGURE 1, the electrocautery device 10 provided in accordance with the present invention includes, by way of example, a multiple lumen catheter 12 having a fixed electrode 14 exposed at the distal end of the catheter main body. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 1, the fixed electrode 14 is generally circular in plan view (FIGURE 2) . A flexible wire 16 is electrically coupled to the fixed electrode 14 and operatively coupled to an adjustable bipolar or multipolar cautery current source 18 which may be of any suitable construction available. A second wire 20 extends through one of the lumens of the catheter 12 and is electrically coupled to a moveable head 22 having a second electrode 24 defined on a face thereof, in opposition to the fixed electrode 14.
The terms "fixed" and "movable" as used herein are for convenience and should be understood to be relative terms. Thus, the "fixed" electrode can be moved relative to the "movable" electrode while the latter is held in a fixed disposition and vice versa, or both electrodes can be moved at the same time .
By way of example, the valvulotome of the invention may be used as a part of an in si tu saphenous vein bypass procedure. In use, the entire catheter assembly 10 including moveable head 22 and wire 20 coupled thereto is inserted into the vein through a venotomy incision at the distal end of the vein segment of interest. The catheter with electrodes abutting is advanced to the proximal end of the vein, remote from the venotomy incision. In accordance with the invention, the distal or forward end of the movable head is generally convexly curved as at 25, 25', 25", for example bullet shaped, so that it can be advanced through the venous valve (s) in the direction of normal blood flow. That the distal end has reached the end of the vein or vein segment, may be confirmed by injecting dye through port(s) 26 of the catheter 12 and examining an image of the vein or vein segment .
The moveable head 22 then is pushed away from the fixed electrode 14 or the fixed electrode 14 is retracted to suitably space the electrodes, as appropriate to the procedure and the valvulotome structure being utilized. Of course for the movable head 22 to be advanced relative to the fixed electrode, the flexible coated guide wire 20 extending proximally therefrom (FIG. 1) must be sufficiently rigid for controlled advancement, otherwise retraction of the fixed electrode would be
preferred. In the event a conduit 28 extends proximally from the movable head, as in the embodiment of FIGURES 6A and B, moveable head advancement independently of the fixed electrode 14 is clearly an option.
Once the movable head 22 and fixed electrode 14 are suitably spaced, the fixed electrode is retracted independently or simultaneously with the movable head so that the fixed electrode 14 passes through the valve. Providing a fixed electrode having an arcuate proximal surface as at 30, 30', 30" defining a gradual transition from the catheter body 32 will facilitate passage of the fixed electrode back through the valve, as is apparent from FIGURES 1, 4A and 4B.
As an alternative to providing an arcuate proximal surface 30 for the fixed electrode, the so- called fixed electrode 14 may be provided as electrode segments 34 on each of two or more flexing tabs or wings 36 defined at the distal end of the catheter. Where a plurality of electrode segments 34 are provided each must be suitably electrically coupled to the cautery device 18 as will be apparent to one skilled in the art. Such tabs or wings 36 extend via a living hinge or the like 38 from the main body 32' of the catheter. Isolated tabs or wings permit the distal end of the catheter structure to which the fixed electrodes are coupled to collapse for ease of passage back through the venous valve. The tabs are preferably configured so as to project at an angle from the longitudinal axis of the catheter when not exposed to a collapsing or spreading force as shown in FIG. 5A. Such an inclined structure facilitates passage of the catheter back through the valve but ensures that, on
advancement of the catheter towards the movable head as explained in greater detail below, the electrode segment carrying tabs or wings 36 can be deflected to a substantially orthogonal disposition as shown in FIGURE 5B. In that disposition the fixed electrode segment (s) 34 will be in opposed facing relation to the electrode (s) 24' of the movable head. As can be appreciated, where tabs or wings are provided for carrying electrodes, their number and configuration can be varied greatly without departing from the principles of the invention, provided they are of sufficient size and dimensions so as to be deflected to the disposition shown in FIGURE 5B upon engagement with a venous valve and not buckle or collapse when exposed to such an axial force; and so as to present an electrode surface of sufficient size and in an appropriate orientation to effectively disable a valve upon actuation. Returning again to the use of the inventive valvulotome, once the fixed electrode has passed through the valve, the valve will collapse or close against the coated wire intermediate the fixed and movable electrodes. Upon further withdrawal of the catheter, the flat face of the movable head will engage the valve. Hence, further displacement will be resisted. When such resistance is detected, with the coated guide wire held steady, the catheter main body with the fixed electrode at its distal end is pushed toward the moveable head. This motion will capture the valve between the two electrodes.
A bipolar electrical current is then applied to initiate cautery action. A gentle force is kept on the valvulotome while the current is applied to ablate the valve. Pulling back on the moveable head will indicate whether the valve has been completely ablated. Following completion of
the cautery procedure, the moveable head is disengaged from the fixed electrode.
Once the moveable head has been disengaged from the fixed electrode following ablation of the valve, the catheter is withdrawn in an open position to engage the next valve . In order to evaluate the success of the valve excision, dye may be injected through the catheter port(s) 26 to access the valve and venous anatomy. As is apparent from the foregoing, providing electrodes 24, 24' having a generally circular configuration (FIGS. 1, 3B) will effect a circular ablation of the valve structure. Providing electrodes of other configurations (e.g. as electrode 24" shown in FIG. 3A) will disable the valves in other ways such as by radial ablation or part circular ablation.
As can be appreciated, the fixed and moveable electrodes may be provided in any one of several sizes and configurations so as to allow passage through the valves in the direction of (venous) blood flow and then selective retraction through the vein to allow excision of the valve structures. It is to be noted in this regard that the catheter of the invention may advantageously be provided with interchangeable guide wire and moveable head assemblies or otherwise detachable and interchangeable fixed and/or moveable electrode components or heads to accommodate the surgical procedure, the patient's physiology or the "cut" or ablation pattern desired. One skilled in this art upon a review of this disclosure would appreciate how such modifications could be effected. By way of example, a variety of moveable and fixed electrode heads are illustrated, but not deemed to be limiting.
With reference to FIGURES 6A and 6B, it can be seen that in accordance with the invention, the moveable head 22 may be coupled to a longitudinally extending conduit 28 to permit the infusion of fluids at, as at 40, or beyond, as at 42, the moveable head. For example, as shown in FIGURE 7, a structure of the type shown in FIGURE 6B may be used to inject suitable material, such as a gel foam, to close off a branch vessel, a procedure known as branch ligation. As an alternative to injecting such material (s) through conduit 28, another, flexible tube may be inserted through conduit 28, through which suitable material (s) may be injected. The advantages of such a separate tube, including greater versatility and procedural options will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art.
The provision of an infusion conduit as in FIGURES 6A and B, furthermore, facilitates a determination of the position of the moveable electrode relative to the fixed electrode by observation of the relative position of the proximal end of the catheter main body relative to the proximal end of the conduit, when the valvulotome is disposed within the target vein. Moreover, it is contemplated that the handle structure of the valvulotome will allow the operator to sense resistance of the valve and to determine through tactile feel feedback the relative position and disposition of the components of the structure.
In accordance with a further feature of the invention, an insulating lip 50, is provided in surrounding relation or adjacent to one or both electrode (s) provided on the respective heads to protect the vein surface from discharge through the electrodes. The lip may be separately provided, for
example made of an insulating, bio-compatible, resilient material and secured to the head(s) or integrally formed therewith. In accordance with a further feature of the invention, it is contemplated that triggering of current will only be enabled when the electrodes are closely adjacent and/or both closely touching the target valve to minimize the potential for a spark jumping the gap between electrodes, which may risk damage to the vein wall. For example, when the insulating lip is provided, current may only be enabled when the lip(s) are in contact with the valve structure.
In another procedure in which the invention could be used, a vein is grafted or anastomosed in si tu to an artery. The vein is pressurized by arterial blood flow to the vein, thereby causing the first valve leaflet pair to close tightly. The valvulotome is inserted from the distal end into the proximal most portion of the vein, near the grafting site. The catheter is then drawn down through the vein such that the fixed electrode passes through the valve leaflets so that the valve is disposed between the moveable head and the fixed electrode. Because of its shape, passage of the moveable head, through the valve leaflets is resisted. The fixed electrode is then advanced towards the moveable head to sandwich the valve leaflet pairs between the electrodes and the current source is actuated. Following ablation of the leaflet pair, the next adjacent segment of the vein will be pressurized with blood and the moveable head can easily move with the fixed electrode through the vein approaching the next leaflet pair with minimal trauma to the vein walls. Again the fixed electrode is displaced from the moveable head to pass through
the leaflet pair. The moveable head is advanced to the leaflet pair and into engagement therewith. Finally, the fixed electrode is advanced towards the moveable head to sandwich the leaflet pair between opposing electrodes. In this manner the leaflets in the vein can be sequentially rendered incompetent quickly and reliably.
While the invention has been described in connection with what are presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.