Atherectomy systems and methods
US5026384A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 7, 1989 |
| Grant date | Jun 25, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 7, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B17/320758
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An atherectomy system includes a guide wire which can be inserted into an artery of a patient to a region of occlusion, a torque tube having a cutter device affixed to its distal end which is insertable into the artery over the guide wire, and a protective support sheath surrounding the guide wire and the torque tube. A retraction device controllably retracts the support sheath so as to allow the cutter on the distal end of the torque tube to extend progressively greater distances beyond the distal end of the support sheath. The system also includes means for rotating the torque tube, thereby simultaneously rotating the cutter, and vacuum means connected to the torque tube for extracting dislodged cuttings from the patient's bloodstream. The guide wire is preferably provided with an abutment on its distal end which both mechanically limits the distance the cutter can advance into the patient's body and assists in retrieving the cutter from the patient's body following the atherectomy operation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.