Anchor deployment devices and related methods

Abstract

Described here are devices, methods, and kits for the deployment of tissue anchors. In some variations, the devices may comprise a shaft defining a lumen for housing at least one anchor therein and a mechanism for deploying the anchor distally from the lumen. In certain variations, the devices may comprise one or more stop elements. For example, a device may comprise a stop element that limits the advancement of the device through an opening in a wall portion or at the distal end of another device.

1 . A method comprising:
 advancing a first catheter through a lumen of a second catheter; and   advancing a portion of the first catheter through an opening in a wall portion or at a distal end of the second catheter until the wall portion of the second catheter is positioned between a wall portion of the first catheter and a stop element of the first catheter,   wherein the positioning of the wall portion of the second catheter between the wall portion and stop element of the first catheter prevents further advancement of the first catheter through the opening in the wall portion or at the distal end of the second catheter.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the stop element of the first catheter remains within the lumen of the second catheter while the portion of the first catheter is advanced through the opening in the wall portion or at the distal end of the second catheter. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein advancing the portion of the first catheter through the opening in the wall portion or at the distal end of the second catheter comprises pushing the portion of the first catheter through the opening with a pushing member. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the stop element comprises an elongated flap. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the elongated flap extends through an opening in the wall portion of the first catheter. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the elongated flap curves away from the wall portion of the first catheter as the wall portion of the second catheter becomes positioned between the wall portion and stop element of the first catheter. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method comprises advancing the portion of the first catheter through the opening in the wall portion or at the distal end of the second catheter until the wall portion of the second catheter is wedged between the wall portion and stop element of the first catheter. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising deploying an anchor from the first catheter after the first catheter has been advanced through the opening in the wall portion or at the distal end of the second catheter. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising retrieving the anchor after it has been deployed. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising withdrawing the portion of the first catheter back into the lumen of the second catheter after the anchor has been deployed from the first catheter. 
     
     
         11 . A catheter comprising:
 a tubular elongated member defining a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a lumen therethrough; and   a first stop element comprising an elongated flap,   wherein a first portion of the first stop element is disposed within the lumen of the tubular elongated member, and a second portion of the first stop element extends through an opening in a wall portion of the tubular elongated member.   
     
     
         12 . The catheter of  claim 11 , further comprising an anchor disposed within the lumen of the tubular elongated member. 
     
     
         13 . The catheter of  claim 12 , further comprising a coupling member coupled to the anchor. 
     
     
         14 . The catheter of  claim 11 , further comprising a second stop element disposed within the lumen of the tubular elongated member. 
     
     
         15 . The catheter of  claim 14 , wherein the second stop element comprises a tubular member. 
     
     
         16 . The catheter of  claim 14 , wherein the second stop element is coupled to or integral with the first stop element. 
     
     
         17 . The catheter of  claim 14 , wherein the second stop element is separate from the first stop element. 
     
     
         18 . The catheter of  claim 14 , further comprising a pushing member including a distal portion comprising a first region having a first cross-sectional diameter and a second region having a second cross-sectional diameter that is smaller than the first cross-sectional diameter. 
     
     
         19 . The catheter of  claim 11 , wherein the tubular elongated member comprises a first region defining a first plane, a second region defining a second plane, and a curve between the first and second regions. 
     
     
         20 . The catheter of  claim 19 , wherein the first and second planes have an angle of about 10 degrees to about 90 degrees therebetween. 
     
     
         21 . The catheter of  claim 20 , wherein the first and second planes have an angle of about 20 degrees to about 80 degrees therebetween. 
     
     
         22 . The catheter of  claim 21 , wherein the first and second planes have an angle of about 50 degrees to about 70 degrees therebetween. 
     
     
         23 . The catheter of  claim 22 , wherein the first and second planes have an angle of about 60 degrees therebetween. 
     
     
         24 . A method for deploying an anchor into tissue of a subject comprising:
 advancing a distal portion of a pushing member into a tubular stop element disposed within a lumen of a first catheter, wherein the tubular stop element is coupled to an anchor; and   advancing the distal portion of the pushing member against the anchor to deploy the anchor from the lumen of the first catheter and into tissue of a subject,   wherein the distal portion of the pushing member and the tubular stop element are configured to limit further distal advancement of the pushing member once the distal portion of the pushing member has been advanced into the tubular stop element.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the method comprises using the pushing member to decouple the anchor from the tubular stop element. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the distal portion of the pushing member comprises a first region having a first cross-sectional diameter and a second region having a second cross-sectional diameter that is smaller than the first cross-sectional diameter. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising advancing the first catheter through an opening in a wall portion or at a distal end of a second catheter. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the tubular stop element is coupled to or integral with a second stop element that extends through an opening in a wall portion of the first catheter. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the advancement of the first catheter through the opening in the wall portion or at a distal end of the second catheter stops when the wall portion of the second catheter becomes positioned between the second stop element and a wall portion of the first catheter. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the second stop element comprises an elongated flap extending from the tubular stop element. 
     
     
         31 . An anchor deployment device comprising:
 a catheter defining a lumen for housing an anchor therein;   a pushing member at least partially disposed within the lumen; and   a tubular stop element disposed within the lumen,   wherein the pushing member and the tubular stop element are configured such that when the pushing member is advanced into the tubular stop element, the tubular stop element limits further distal advancement of the pushing member.   
     
     
         32 . The anchor deployment device of  claim 31 , further comprising an anchor disposed within the lumen of the catheter. 
     
     
         33 . The anchor deployment device of  claim 32 , wherein the anchor is coupled to the tubular stop element. 
     
     
         34 . The anchor deployment device of  claim 31 , wherein the pushing member comprises a distal portion comprising a first region having a first cross-sectional diameter and a second region having a second cross-sectional diameter that is smaller than the first cross-sectional diameter. 
     
     
         35 . The anchor deployment device of  claim 34 , wherein the distal portion of the pushing member is tapered. 
     
     
         36 . The anchor deployment device of  claim 31 , further comprising a second stop element that is coupled to or integral with the tubular stop element. 
     
     
         37 . The anchor deployment device of  claim 36 , wherein the second stop element extends through an opening in a wall portion of the catheter. 
     
     
         38 . The anchor deployment device of  claim 36 , wherein the second stop element is in the form of an elongated flap extending from the tubular stop element. 
     
     
         39 . The anchor deployment device of  claim 31 , wherein the catheter comprises an elongated member comprising a first region defining a first plane, a second region defining a second plane, and a curve between the first and second regions. 
     
     
         40 . The anchor deployment device of  claim 39 , wherein the first and second planes have an angle of about 10 degrees to about 90 degrees therebetween. 
     
     
         41 . The anchor deployment device of  claim 40 , wherein the first and second planes have an angle of about 20 degrees to about 80 degrees therebetween. 
     
     
         42 . The anchor deployment device of  claim 41 , wherein the first and second planes have an angle of about 50 degrees to about 70 degrees therebetween. 
     
     
         43 . The anchor deployment device of  claim 42 , wherein the first and second planes have an angle of about 60 degrees therebetween. 
     
     
         44 . The anchor deployment device of  claim 41 , wherein the first and second planes have an angle of about 40 degrees to about 60 degrees therebetween. 
     
     
         45 . The anchor deployment device of  claim 44 , wherein the first and second planes have an angle of about 50 degrees therebetween.