Balloon catheter with non-deployable stent having improved stability
First Claim
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1. A method of dilating a stenosed region in a blood vessel, the method comprising the steps of:
- introducing an angioplasty catheter having a body and a helical scoring structure having a distal end and a proximal end carried over a balloon on the body, wherein the helical scoring structure comprisesa plurality of helical elements that longitudinally extend from the distal end to the proximal end, wherein the plurality of helical elements are coupled together at the distal end and the proximal end, anda plurality of stabilizing struts, wherein each of the stabilizing struts is spaced between and coupled to at least two adjacent helical elements,expanding the balloon to dilate the helical scoring structure within the stenosed region within the blood vessel, wherein the proximal end of the helical scoring structure moves distally and the helical scoring structure shortens to accommodate such distal movement of the proximal and of the helical scoring structure as the balloon is expanded;
holding the expanded helical scoring structure in place to disrupt the stenosis; and
deflating the balloon causing the helical structure to collapse.
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Abstract
An angioplasty catheter comprises a catheter body having a balloon or other radially expandable shell at its distal end. An 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. Stabilizing struts are provided between at least some of the helical struts.
395 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A method of dilating a stenosed region in a blood vessel, the method comprising the steps of:
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introducing an angioplasty catheter having a body and a helical scoring structure having a distal end and a proximal end carried over a balloon on the body, wherein the helical scoring structure comprises a plurality of helical elements that longitudinally extend from the distal end to the proximal end, wherein the plurality of helical elements are coupled together at the distal end and the proximal end, and a plurality of stabilizing struts, wherein each of the stabilizing struts is spaced between and coupled to at least two adjacent helical elements, expanding the balloon to dilate the helical scoring structure within the stenosed region within the blood vessel, wherein the proximal end of the helical scoring structure moves distally and the helical scoring structure shortens to accommodate such distal movement of the proximal and of the helical scoring structure as the balloon is expanded; holding the expanded helical scoring structure in place to disrupt the stenosis; and deflating the balloon causing the helical structure to collapse. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification