Expandable micro-catheter
US6358238B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 2, 1999 |
| Grant date | Mar 19, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 2, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2025/0042
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A catheter and method for delivering a therapeutic agent (e.g., an embolic material) to a vascular site. The intravascular catheter is navigated, at a first relatively small diameter, to the vascular site. Pressure is applied to the lumen of the shaft, thereby expanding an expandable portion of the catheter shaft from the first diameter to a second larger diameter, suitable for delivery of a therapeutic agent. The therapeutic agent is preferably disposed in the lumen of the shaft such that the expansion pressure is created, in part, by resistance of the therapeutic agent to flow through the lumen. Preferably, the shaft expands predictably with pressure. A reinforcement structure may be utilized in the shaft of the catheter, including the expandable portion. The reinforcement structure may include a plurality of circumferential elements, each circumferential element having a circumference and a means for permitting an increase in the circumference such that the shaft is able to expand.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.