Catheter apparatus and methods for treating vasculatures
US7988646B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 26, 2008 |
| Grant date | Aug 2, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 23, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2025/109
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A catheter apparatus may have a flexible shaft, guidewire lumens passing through the shaft, and a positioning device for positioning the guidewires relative to an external lumen. The positioning device may be an expansible scaffold covered with a retractable sheath. The positioning device may also be one or more balloons that are inflated through an inflation port in the shaft. The catheter apparatus may be operated by inserting a guide catheter into a vasculature with a chronic total occlusion, inserting the catheter apparatus into the guide catheter, and advancing the guidewires through the guidewire lumens and into contact with a chronic total occlusion. The positioning device may be activated before and/or between attempts to pass the guidewires through the chronic total occlusion to interrogate various parts of the chronic total occlusion.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.