Apparatus and methods for treating hardened vascular lesions
US8080026B2 · kind B2 · utility
63Cited by
136References
49Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 13, 2004 |
| Grant date | Dec 20, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 1, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2025/109
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An angioplasty catheter comprises a catheter body having a balloon or other radially expandable shell at its distal end. A non-axial external structure is carried over the shell and scores a stenosed region in a blood vessel when the balloon is inflated therein. The catheter has an attachment structure disposed between the catheter body and the balloon to accommodate foreshortening and rotation of the external structure as the balloon is expanded. The external structure may be part of a helical cage structure which floats over the balloon.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.