Push device for the axial insertion of an elongate, flexible body

Abstract

With a push device for the axial insertion of an elongate, flexible body, in particular of a flexible tube, a cable or similar elements into a sheath, and axial force introduction unit is provided, which by way of a non-positive fit or a positive fit, applies a push movement onto the elongate body and is arranged in a stationary manner relative to the sheath or is guided on a predefined movement path.

1 . A push device system for axial insertion of a blood pump into a sheath, the sheath comprising proximal-most and distal-most ends and an inner lumen configured to receive the blood pump through the proximal-most end, the push device system comprising:
 a holding element having proximal and distal regions; and   a flange at the distal region of the holding element, wherein a distal-most end of the flange comprises a distal surface that is configured to abut a proximal surface of the proximal-most end of the sheath to couple the holding element directly to the proximal-most end of the sheath,   wherein the holding element is configured to allow the blood pump to withstand an axial push force without buckling.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . A push device system according to  claim 1 , wherein the holding element is configured to connect to the sheath by way of a central thread, by way of a bayonet closure, by way of a fit surface, by way of adhesion forces, by way of a magnetic device, by way of an eccentric screw connection, by way of a gluing connection, by way of a cone connection, by way of a snap connection, by way of an electrostatic connection, by way of elastic holding elements, or by way of inserting a fit piece of the sheath into a fittingly shaped recess of the holding element. 
     
     
         4 - 5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . A push device system according to  claim 1 , wherein the holding element comprises a radial clamping device, which by way of pressing a clamping tool onto the blood pump in a radial direction, produces an adhesion to the blood pump, which serves for applying a push force or holding force in an axial direction of the blood pump. 
     
     
         7 . A push device system according to  claim 6 , wherein the clamping tool is configured to roll on the blood pump. 
     
     
         8 . A push device system according to  claim 7 , wherein the clamping tool comprises at least two friction wheels, and wherein the at least two friction wheels at least partly lie opposite one another with respect to the blood pump. 
     
     
         9 . A push device system according to  claim 8 , wherein the at least two friction wheels are controllable with regard to their rotation. 
     
     
         10 . A push device system according to  claim 6 , wherein the clamping tool comprises clamping jaws, and wherein at least one of the clamping jaws is movable in a guided manner in the axial direction of the blood pump. 
     
     
         11 . A push device system according to  claim 10 , wherein the clamping jaws are formed by way of two or more parts of a hollow cylinder, which is divided into segment bodies, and wherein the hollow cylinder receives the blood pump. 
     
     
         12 - 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . A push device system according to  claim 1 , wherein the holding element is further configured to apply an axial push force on a catheter coupled to the blood pump. 
     
     
         29 . A push device system according to  claim 1 , wherein the holding element is configured to limit radial deflections of the sheath by minimizing a distance between (i) where an axial push force is applied onto the blood pump and (ii) the proximal-most end of the sheath. 
     
     
         30 . A push device system according to  claim 1 , wherein the holding element further comprises one or more recesses for one or more tear tabs of a second sheath surrounding a catheter coupled to the blood pump. 
     
     
         31 . A push device system according to  claim 6 , wherein the clamping tool comprises a compressible foam body. 
     
     
         32 . A push device system according to  claim 11 , wherein the segment bodies comprise an incompressible material. 
     
     
         33 . A push device system according to  claim 1 , wherein the holding element further comprises a push cylinder. 
     
     
         34 . A push device system according to  claim 33 , wherein one end of the push cylinder comprises a disk with a centric opening surrounded by a peripheral, movable lip, and wherein the opening is dimensioned in a manner such that an edge of the lip lies on the blood pump as the blood pump is advanced through the opening. 
     
     
         35 . A push device system according to  claim 1 , wherein the holding element further comprises a guide body and a drive body, wherein the guide body comprises a guide rail for receiving the blood pump, wherein the drive body comprises a recess for receiving the blood pump, and wherein pressing the drive body against the blood pump in a radial direction produces an adhesion to the blood pump, which serves for applying a push force in an axial direction of the blood pump. 
     
     
         36 . A push device system according to  claim 35 , wherein the guide body comprises a first material with a first coefficient of friction, wherein the drive body comprises a second material with a second coefficient of friction, and wherein the first coefficient of friction is less than the second coefficient of friction. 
     
     
         37 . A push device system according to  claim 35 , wherein the guide body comprises the flange of the holding element. 
     
     
         38 . A push device system according to  claim 35 , wherein a lever is pivotably mounted to the guide body, and wherein the lever is movable against a spring to press the drive body against the blood pump in the radial direction. 
     
     
         39 . A push device system according to  claim 1  further comprising the blood pump and the sheath.