Apparatus and method for performing an endarterectomy
US6241745A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 26, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jun 5, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 26, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2017/320741
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A surgical apparatus and a method to restore blood flow capacity to occluded and partially occluded arterial vessels is disclosed. More particularly, the invention is an endarterectomy instrument and a method associated with its use. The instrument combines a separation ring with a wire loop at the distal end of a resilient, flexible catheter. The separation ring separates the plaque and the inner wall from a segment of an occluded artery. The wire loop is then constricted around the undesired material. IN a preferred embodiment the wire loop of the endarterectomy instrument is used to sever, snare and remove the separated inner arterial wall with the occlusion. In an alternative embodiment, the wire loop of the endarterectomy instrument is heated by passing a current therethrough in order to sever the undesired material from the arterial wall. The undesired occlusion is removed along with the inner layers of the artery by snaring the material with the wire loop and removing the instrument from the vessel in a single step.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.