Methods and apparatus for treating vascular occlusions

US6800085B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• LuMend, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Matthew R. Selmon · Atherton, US
• Charles Milo · Union City, US
• Robert L. Wynne · Pacifica, US
• Suresh S. Pai · Los Altos, US
• Kent D. Dell · Redwood City, US
• Charles Gresl · San Francisco, US
• Gerald Hansen · Newark, US
• E. Richard Hill, III · Berkeley, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 13, 2001
• Grant date: Oct 5, 2004
• Expiry date: Apr 21, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B2017/320741
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

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.