Expandable sheath for delivering instruments and agents into a body lumen and methods for use
First Claim
1. An apparatus for delivering a guidewire through an occlusion in a body lumen, comprising:
- an elongate tubular member comprising a proximal end, a distal end sized for insertion into a body lumen, and a first lumen extending from the proximal end to a distal region of the tubular member; and
an expandable sheath on the distal region of the tubular member, the sheath being expandable from a contracted condition to minimize a profile of the sheath to allow insertion along with the tubular member into a body lumen, to an enlarged condition wherein the sheath at least partially defines a lumen communicating with and extending distally from the first lumen of the tubular member.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and methods are provided for delivering a guidewire, agents, and the like through an occlusion in a body vessel or other body lumen. The apparatus includes a flexible catheter or other elongate member including a proximal end, a distal end sized for insertion into a body lumen, and a first lumen extending from the proximal end to a distal region of the tubular member. An expandable sheath is provided on the distal region of the catheter that is expandable from a contracted condition to minimize a profile of the sheath to allow insertion along with the tubular member into a body lumen, to an enlarged condition wherein the sheath at least partially defines a lumen communicating with and extending distally from the first lumen of the tubular member.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for delivering a guidewire through an occlusion in a body lumen, comprising:
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an elongate tubular member comprising a proximal end, a distal end sized for insertion into a body lumen, and a first lumen extending from the proximal end to a distal region of the tubular member; and
an expandable sheath on the distal region of the tubular member, the sheath being expandable from a contracted condition to minimize a profile of the sheath to allow insertion along with the tubular member into a body lumen, to an enlarged condition wherein the sheath at least partially defines a lumen communicating with and extending distally from the first lumen of the tubular member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An apparatus for delivery into a body lumen of a patient, comprising:
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a flexible catheter comprising a proximal end, and a distal end sized for insertion into a body lumen;
an expandable sheath attached around an outer surface of the catheter, the sheath being expandable from a contracted condition to minimize a profile of the sheath, to an enlarged condition wherein at least a portion of the sheath moves away from the outer surface of the catheter to at least partially define an accessory lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends of the sheath. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for delivering an instrument through an occlusion in a body lumen using a catheter comprising an expandable sheath extending along an outer surface of the catheter, comprising:
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introducing a distal end of the catheter into the body lumen proximal to the occlusion with the sheath in a contracted condition;
advancing the distal end of the catheter through the occlusion until a distal end of the sheath is disposed distal to the occlusion;
advancing an elongate member through the sheath until a distal end of the elongate member is disposed distal to the occlusion; and
withdrawing the catheter and sheath from the body lumen. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification