Methods and apparatus for treating vascular occlusions
US6746462B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 28, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jun 8, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 28, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2017/320741
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An intravascular catheter system for the treatment of occluded blood vessels that includes tissue displacement or hinged expansion members that are movable from a closed to an open position. An actuating assembly may be provided for moving the tissue expansion members between an open and closed position to exert a substantially lateral distal end force upon the region surrounding an occluded blood vessel. The tissue expansion members may stretch apart, tear or otherwise disrupt a vascular occlusion sufficiently to create a pathway that may support the passage or placement of a guidewire or an interventional vascular device across the occlusion or obstruction. Methods of crossing or displacing a vascular occlusion are further provided that include the positioning of a vascular catheter having at least one hinged spreading member positioned at the distal region of the catheter that is responsive to directed force along the longitudinal axis of the catheter. A directed force is applied to the actuator in order to deploy the spreading member and displace a vascular occlusion creating a path to permit the passage of a guidewire or device therethrough.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.