Patent•
Method of treating obstructed regions of bodily passages
12 Feb 1992-
TL;DR: An adjustable-length balloon dilatation catheter apparatus and a method for using the same are disclosed wherein an adjustable sheath is externally manipulated to partially surround and contain the balloon segment of the catheter as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: An adjustable-length balloon dilatation catheter apparatus and a method for using the same are disclosed wherein an adjustable sheath is externally manipulated to partially surround and contain the dilatation balloon segment of the catheter while the catheter and balloon segment are in situ during a treatment procedure. By sliding the sheath forward or backward to expose a predetermined length of the balloon segment prior to inflating the balloon, the catheter apparatus of this invention is useful in medical procedures requiring balloons of varying lengths.
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Patent•
06 Oct 1997TL;DR: In this article, the insertion of a platinum wire and/or tip into the vascular cavity is described, and the tip is then separated from the wire mechanically or by electrolytic separation.
Abstract: An artery, vein, aneurysm, vascular malformation or arterial fistula is occluded through endovascular occlusion by the endovascular insertion of a platinum wire and/or tip into the vascular cavity. The vascular cavity is packed with the tip to obstruct blood flow or access of blood in the cavity such that the blood clots in the cavity and an occlusion if formed. The tip may be elongate and flexible so that it packs the cavity by being folded upon itself a multiple number of times, or may pack the cavity by virtue of a filamentary or fuzzy structure of the tip. The tip is then separated from the wire mechanically or by electrolytic separation of the tip from the wire. The wire and the microcatheter are thereafter removed leaving the tip embedded in the thrombus formed within the vascular cavity. Movement of wire in the microcatheter is more easily tracked by providing a radioopaque proximal marker on the microcatheter and a corresponding indicator marker on the wire. Electrothrombosis is facilitate by placing the ground electrode on the distal end of the microcatheter and flowing current between the microcatheter electrode and the tip.
811 citations
Patent•
13 Jun 2007TL;DR: In this article, a robotic medical system comprises a user interface configured for receiving at least one command, a first drive mechanism configured to receive the outer medical implement, a second drive mechanism for receiving the inner medical implement and a linear drive arrangement mechanically coupled to the first and second drive mechanisms.
Abstract: A robotic medical system comprises a user interface configured for receiving at least one command, a first drive mechanism configured for receiving the outer medical implement, a second drive mechanism configured for receiving the inner medical implement, a linear drive arrangement (e.g., one of a drive screw drive arrangement, a rack and pinion drive arrangement, and a belt/pulley drive arrangement) mechanically coupled to the first and second drive mechanisms, and a motor array. The robotic medical system further comprises an electric controller configured for directing the motor array to cause the first drive mechanism to axially rotate the outer medical implement, to cause the second drive mechanism to axially rotate the inner medical implement, and to cause the linear drive mechanism to linearly translate the first and second drive mechanisms relative to each other in response to the at least one command.
766 citations
Patent•
15 Dec 2004
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present devices and methods for controlling and indicating the deployed length of an interventional element on the interventional catheter, such as a stent or series of stents, a balloon, or any other interventional elements for which length control is necessary or desirable.
Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for controlling and indicating the deployed length of an interventional element on an interventional catheter. The interventional element may be a stent or series of stents, a balloon, or any other interventional element for which length control is necessary or desirable. Devices for controlling the length of the interventional element include gear driven actuators, motors, and other mechanisms. Devices for indicating length of an interventional element to the user include sensors, detents, visual displays and other mechanisms providing visual, audible, and tangible indications of length to the user. The control and indication devices preferably work in tandem to enable highly precise adjustment of interventional element length.
431 citations
Patent•
04 Feb 2011TL;DR: In this paper, a catheter is adapted to exchange heat with a body fluid such as blood, flowing in a body conduit, such as a blood vessel, and a shaft with a heat exchange region disposed at its distal end.
Abstract: A catheter is adapted to exchange heat with a body fluid, such as blood, flowing in a body conduit, such as a blood vessel. The catheter includes a shaft with a heat exchange region disposed at its distal end. This region may include hollow fibers which are adapted to receive a remotely cooled heat exchange fluid preferably flowing in a direction counter to that of the body fluid. The hollow fibers enhance the surface area of contact, as well as the mixing of both the heat exchange fluid and the body fluid. The catheter can be positioned to produce hypothermia in a selective area of the body or alternatively positioned to systemically cool the entire body system.
414 citations
Patent•
16 Mar 1999
TL;DR: A reversible-action endoprosthesis delivery device as discussed by the authors consists of an axially extending inner tube (8) surrounded by an outer sheath (16) comprising remotely activable retaining means (20) for maintaining or releasing the end-rosthesis in a fixed axial relationship relative to the inner tube.
Abstract: A reversible-action endoprosthesis delivery device (1) comprising an axially extending inner tube (8) surrounded by an outer sheath (16) comprising remotely activable retaining means (20) for maintaining or releasing the endoprosthesis (7) in a fixed axial relationship relative to the inner tube (8) so that up to the end of the placement procedure, the endoprosthesis (7) can be withdrawn and replaced in a more suitable position.
384 citations
References
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Patent•
15 Aug 1988
TL;DR: A balloon dilatation catheter with a balloon at its distal end includes a distal segment having a collapsible outer diameter as discussed by the authors, which exhibits a high degree of trackability over a guidewire through tortuous blood vessels.
Abstract: A balloon dilatation catheter having a balloon at its distal end includes a distal segment having a collapsible outer diameter. The distal segment includes an inner shaft and a generally coaxial outer surrounding sleeve formed from a very flexible, thin wall, high-strength polymeric material. The balloon is formed integrally with the sleeve and is collapsible about the shaft together with the sleeve. The distal segment of the catheter exhibits a high degree of trackability over a guidewire through tortuous blood vessels. When in its collapsed configuration, the distal segment of the catheter defines a reduced profile which is less obstructive to blood flow through the blood vessel containing the catheter distal segment, such as a coronary artery. In a modified embodiment of the invention, the flexible thin wall sleeve extends over a greater length of the catheter and may extend to the full length of the catheter. In the modified embodiment, when the sleeve is collapsed about the inner shaft a reduced profile is defined along the length of the catheter. When contained within a guide catheter, the dilatation catheter provides for an enlarged cross-sectional flow area within the guide catheter, thus enhancing proximal dye injections and pressure measurements or, alternately, enabling the use of a smaller diameter guide catheter.
235 citations
Patent•
08 Aug 1979
TL;DR: In this article, a novel coronary dilation method is disclosed wherein a guiding catheter having at least one side arm is continuously flushed with heparinized saline during the dilation process except for momentary interruptions for recording coronary pressures.
Abstract: A novel coronary dilation method is disclosed wherein a guiding catheter having at least one side arm is continuously flushed with heparinized saline during the dilation process except for momentary interruptions for recording coronary pressures. In accordance with the preferred embodiment method, a dilating catheter (of a balloon-type) is inserted with the guiding catheter and is also continuously flushed through an inner lumen except for periodic pauses to record coronary pressures. A stylet having a thickness substantially thinner than the inner lumen of the dilating catheter is inserted therein, which stylet terminates 3 to 5 mm. short of the end of the catheter. The outer lumen of the dilating catheter is utilized to inject dye and saline for inflating the balloon to perform the coronary dilation. Using the method of the present invention, the patient need not be entirely heparinized nor will significant difficulties be encountered in directing the dilating catheter to the obstruction to be dilated.
174 citations
Patent•
22 Jan 1981
TL;DR: In this paper, a dilatation catheter is described, consisting of an elongate elastomeric tube having a telescopic sheath received there around to selectively expose varying lengths of tube for inflation.
Abstract: A dilatation catheter (11) comprising an elongate elastomeric tube (14) having a telescopic sheath (16) received therearound to selectively expose varying lengths of tube for inflation. A wire (22) extending through the tube provides for longitudinal stretching of the tube to reduce its diametrical crosssection. In one embodiment, a port (36) within the tube (14) may be exposed by contracting of the sheath (16) to allow injections to be made through the tube (14).
142 citations
Patent•
19 Jan 1983
TL;DR: A balloon catheter as mentioned in this paper comprises a tip having a tapered distal end, a central lumen, and a balloon membrane coaxial with and surrounding the central Lumen and connected to the tip.
Abstract: A balloon catheter comprises a tip having a tapered distal end, a central lumen, and a balloon membrane coaxial with and surrounding the central lumen and connected to the tip. A sheath is slidable over the balloon to form an assembly, and a guide wire is slidable through the central lumen and insertable into a blood vessel for guiding the tip, membrane and sheath to a location within the blood vessel selected for therapy. The sheath fits loosely over the balloon, whereby the sheath can be withdrawn to expose the balloon at the selected location and the balloon can then be inflated to provide therapy.
129 citations
Patent•
29 Jun 1990TL;DR: In this article, an everting balloon catheter with a waist at the desired eversion point to minimize the size of the distal tip of the catheter during insertion is described.
Abstract: Disclosed is an everting balloon catheter in which the balloon has a waist at the desired eversion point to minimize the size of the distal tip of the catheter during insertion. Preferably, the distal end of the outer body is bevelled and the waist is located just distal and radial to the tip of the outer body when the inner body is fully extended distal to the outer body. Usually, the waist is formed by heat shrinking the balloon during manufacture, thus usually increasing balloon thickness at the waist. Also, in the disclosed invention, the balloon is attached to the outer catheter bod via heat fusion. Generally, the outer body and the balloon are both formed of compositions having at least one component in common to promote heat fusion for attachment of the balloon. Preferably that component is polyethylene.
115 citations