Gripping and pushing device for medical instrument
In one representative embodiment, a gripping and pushing device for a medical instrument comprises an elongated main body defining a lumen. The elongated main body comprises one or more deflectable portions that can be pressed radially inwardly toward a shaft of the medical instrument extending through the lumen. One or more elastomeric gripping layers can be secured to the inner surface of a respective deflectable portion at axially spaced apart attachment locations. The one or more gripping layers are axially deformable relative to the one or more deflectable portions between the attachment locations when manual pressure is applied to the one or more deflectable portions to press the one or more gripping layers against the shaft and move the shaft longitudinally into a patient's body.
1. A gripping and pushing device for a medical instrument comprising:
an elongated main body defining a lumen, the elongated body comprising one or more deflectable portions that can be pressed radially inwardly toward a shaft of the medical instrument extending through the lumen, each deflectable portion having an inner surface;
one or more elastomeric gripping layers, each secured to the inner surface of a respective deflectable portion at axially spaced apart attachment locations;
wherein the one or more gripping layers are axially deformable relative to the one or more deflectable portions between the attachment locations when manual pressure is applied to the one or more deflectable portions to press the one or more gripping layers against the shaft and move the shaft longitudinally into a patient's body; wherein the gripping and pushing device further comprising an inner tubular member and wherein the main body comprises an end portion mounted on the inner tubular member such that the deflectable portions are cantilevered from the inner tubular member.
2. The gripping and pushing device of claim 1 , in combination with the medical instrument.
3. The gripping and pushing device of claim 1 , in combination with the medical instrument, wherein the medical instrument comprises a delivery apparatus for delivering and implanting a prosthetic device within the patient's body.
4. The gripping and pushing device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more deflectable portions comprise first and second diametrically opposed leg portions, and the one or more gripping layers comprise first and second diametrically opposed gripping layers secured to the first and second leg portions, respectively.
5. The gripping and pushing device of claim 1 , wherein portions of the one or more gripping layers between the attachment locations are stretchable relative to the one or more deflectable portions.
6. The gripping and pushing device of claim 1 , wherein the device is split longitudinally along its entire length to permit placement on the shaft laterally from one side of the shaft.
7. The gripping and pushing device of claim 1 , wherein the main body comprises a first material and the gripping layers comprise a second material, the second material having a higher coefficient of friction that the first material.
8. The gripping and pushing device of claim 1 , wherein the gripping layers comprise an elastomer.
9. The gripping and pushing device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more gripping layers are adhered to the one or more deflectable portions with adhesive spots at the axially spaced apart attachment points.
10. The gripping and pushing device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more gripping layers are welded to the one or more deflectable portions at the axially spaced apart attachment points.