Apparatus and method for controlled removal of stenotic material from stents
First Claim
1. An apparatus for removing stenotic material from within a stent located within a body vessel, said apparatus comprising:
- a stenotic material removal mechanism for removing stenotic material from within the stent, sensor means associated with said stenotic material removal mechanism for sensing proximity or contact between said stenotic material removal mechanism and the stent, whereby said sensor means is used to determine an unsafe condition or an appropriate endpoint for removal of stenotic material from within the stent based on the sensed proximity or contact between said stenotic material removal mechanism and the stent for effective recanalization of the body vessel.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for treating in-stent restenosis are described for removing stenotic material from within previously stented regions of a patient'"'"'s vasculature. The apparatus includes a catheter system having a stenotic material removal mechanism mounted on a distal portion of an elongated inner catheter. A sensing means, such as one or more sensing electrodes, are positioned on an outer surface of the apparatus. In addition, the apparatus optionally includes control means for diametrically expanding the stenotic material removal mechanism for effective recanalization of the stent. A coaxial outer catheter is provided for aspirating stenotic material which is removed from within the stent. In addition, embolic filter apparatus are described for collecting the stenotic material removed from within the stent. The methods comprise operating the stenotic material removal mechanism within a body vessel, typically a coronary artery or other artery, which has become restenosed or otherwise occluded following the initial stent placement, and sensing the proximity or contact between the stenotic material removal mechanism and the stent within the arterial wall so that the stenosis can be effectively recanalized without damaging the stent. The sensing means may be used to indicate an unsafe condition that might lead to stent damage, in response to which, the stenotic material removal mechanism may be manually or automatically deactivated. Alternatively or additionally, the sensing means may be used to indicate an appropriate endpoint for the stenotic material removal process.
-
Citations
70 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for removing stenotic material from within a stent located within a body vessel, said apparatus comprising:
-
a stenotic material removal mechanism for removing stenotic material from within the stent, sensor means associated with said stenotic material removal mechanism for sensing proximity or contact between said stenotic material removal mechanism and the stent, whereby said sensor means is used to determine an unsafe condition or an appropriate endpoint for removal of stenotic material from within the stent based on the sensed proximity or contact between said stenotic material removal mechanism and the stent for effective recanalization of the body vessel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
-
-
29. An apparatus for removing stenotic material from within a stent located within a body vessel, said apparatus comprising:
-
a catheter shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, a stenotic material removal mechanism, and means coupled to the stenotic material removal mechanism for increasing a depth to which the stenotic material removal mechanism removes the stenotic material from within the stent, wherein said means is limited to prevent further increase in depth when or before the stenotic material removal mechanism engages the stent.
-
-
42. An apparatus for removing stenotic material from within a body vessel, said apparatus comprising:
-
a stenotic material removal mechanism for removing stenotic material from within the body vessel, said stenotic material removal mechanism having a plurality of elongated blades, and a stenotic material collection mechanism for collecting stenotic material removed from within the body vessel, said stenotic material collection mechanism including an expandable filter medium enclosed and supported by said plurality of elongated blades. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59)
-
-
45. A method for removing stenotic material from within a stent located within a body vessel, said method comprising:
-
operating a stenotic material removal mechanism to remove stenotic material from within the stent;
sensing proximity or contact between said stenotic material removal mechanism and the stent; and
determining an appropriate endpoint for removal of stenotic material from within the stent based on the sensed proximity or contact between said stenotic material removal mechanism and the stent for effective recanalization of the body vessel.
-
-
60. A method for removing stenotic material from within a stent located within a body vessel, said method comprising:
-
engaging a stenotic material removal mechanism to remove a portion of stenotic material from within the stent;
expanding the stenotic material removal mechanism to remove additional portions of the stenotic material; and
limiting the expansion of the stenotic material removal mechanism when or before the stenotic material removal mechanism engages the stent. - View Dependent Claims (61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69)
-
-
70. A catheter kit comprising:
-
(a) a catheter including;
a catheter shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, a stenotic material removal mechanism, wherein said removal mechanism is expandable, and (b) instructions for use setting forth the following steps;
percutaneously introducing the stenotic material removal mechanism into a restenosed stent in a blood vessel;
engaging the stenotic material removal mechanism to remove a portion of stenotic material from within the restenosed stent;
expanding the stenotic material removal mechanism to remove additional portions of the stenotic material; and
limiting the expansion of the stenotic material removal mechanism when or before the stenotic material removal mechanism engages the stent; and
(c) a package holding the catheter and the instructions for use.
-
Specification