Method and apparatus for micro-dissection of vascular occlusions
First Claim
1. A tissue expansion apparatus comprising:
- a base section;
a hinge assembly coupled with the distal region of the base section having two hinge assembly arms extending in the distal direction;
a plurality of tissue expansion members;
an actuating assembly (comprising an actuating member and an actuation plate) for the application of a force perpendicular to the central axis of the base section on a tissue expansion member; and
a coupling system for engaging the tissue expansion members to the actuation plate; and
a coupling system for engaging the tissue expansion members to the base section for simultaneous outward movement of the tissue expansion members relative to the central axis of the base section.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for micro-dissection of vascular occlusions are provided wherein two or more tissue expansion members are coupled with a base section and an actuation assembly so that they rotate radially outward from the central axis of the base. The actuating assembly occupies a channel within the base such that it is free to move in a longitudinal direction. As an external force is applied to the actuation assembly, the actuation assembly engages the tissue expansion members causing them to move in a radial outward direction with respect to the base section. The resulting motion causes the tissue expansion members to contact the tissue walls and/or the occlusion. The tissue expansion members can stretch the tissue walls causing the occlusion to tear, fracture or be disrupted or displaced.
124 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A tissue expansion apparatus comprising:
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a base section;
a hinge assembly coupled with the distal region of the base section having two hinge assembly arms extending in the distal direction;
a plurality of tissue expansion members;
an actuating assembly (comprising an actuating member and an actuation plate) for the application of a force perpendicular to the central axis of the base section on a tissue expansion member; and
a coupling system for engaging the tissue expansion members to the actuation plate; and
a coupling system for engaging the tissue expansion members to the base section for simultaneous outward movement of the tissue expansion members relative to the central axis of the base section. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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18. A method of vascular micro-dissection comprising;
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placing a tissue expansion apparatus in the proximity of a vascular occlusion wherein the tissue expansion apparatus comprises a base section, a hinge assembly coupled with distal region of the base section having two hinge assembly arms extending in the distal direction, an actuating assembly, and a plurality of tissue expansion members, wherein each actuation assembly includes an actuating member and an actuation plate for the application of a force perpendicular to the central axis of the base section on each tissue expansion member;
coupling the tissue expansion members to the base section;
coupling the tissue expansion members to the actuating assembly;
applying a force along the longitudinal axis of the tissue expansion apparatus to the actuating assembly, wherein the force simultaneously rotates the tissue expansion members outward relative to the longitudinal axis of the tissue expansion apparatus; and
disrupting the vascular occlusion in response to the force.
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Specification