Valvulotome and method for making and using same
US5522824A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 24, 1994 |
| Grant date | Jun 4, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 24, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2017/22097
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A valvulotome for disrupting a valve in a vein includes an elongate control member and a cutting head disposed at the distal end of the control member. The cutting head includes an elongate section extending generally along the length of the cutting head and a return section extending beside the elongate section also along the length of the cutting head. A cutting section included in the cutting head extends between the elongate section and the return section at a particular angle to the length of the control member. Portions of this cutting section form a proximally facing cutting edge for disrupting the valve. The valvulotome can be used with an endoscope in a method wherein the cutting head is tied to the endoscope with a suture, or a method wherein the valvulotome is back-loaded into the working channel of the endoscope.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.