Vulnerable plaque modification methods and apparatuses
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- introducing an expandable body into a blood vessel at a point coextensive with a vulnerable plaque lesion; and
expanding the expandable body from a first diameter to a different second diameter sufficient to modify the shape of an inner diameter of the blood vessel at the point coextensive with the lesion without rupturing the lesion.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method including introducing an expandable body into a blood vessel at a point coextensive with a vulnerable plaque lesion, and expanding the expandable body from a first diameter to a different second diameter sufficient to modify the shape of an inner diameter of the blood vessel at the point coextensive with the lesion without rupturing the lesion. An apparatus including a cannula having a dimension suitable for insertion into a blood vessel and including an expandable body coupled thereto, the expandable body including a first outer diameter suitable for insertion through the blood vessel and a second outer diameter greater than the first diameter and having a maximum dimension to modify the shape of an inner diameter of the blood vessel and retain a same perimeter. A kit including a cannula including an expandable body and a stent. An expandable framework comprising a polymer material. An apparatus including an expandable body.
84 Citations
49 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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introducing an expandable body into a blood vessel at a point coextensive with a vulnerable plaque lesion; and
expanding the expandable body from a first diameter to a different second diameter sufficient to modify the shape of an inner diameter of the blood vessel at the point coextensive with the lesion without rupturing the lesion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method comprising:
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introducing a catheter comprising an expandable body having a first portion bounded by a second portion and a third portion into a blood vessel comprising a vulnerable plaque lesion, wherein the first portion is introduced at a point coextensive with a vulnerable plaque lesion; and
expanding the second portion and the third portion of the expandable body to a diameter greater than a diameter of the first portion. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method comprising:
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introducing a catheter comprising an expandable body having a first portion bounded by a second portion and a third portion into a blood vessel comprising a vulnerable plaque lesion, wherein the first portion is introduced at a point coextensive with a vulnerable plaque lesion;
introducing a stent on the expandable body, the stent comprising a portion overlying the first portion of the expandable body; and
expanding the second portion and the third portion of the expandable body to a diameter greater than a diameter of the first portion and sufficient to introduce a tensile stress on the portion of the stent overlying the first portion of the expandable body. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method comprising:
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introducing a catheter comprising an expandable body having a working length into a blood vessel comprising a vulnerable plaque lesion, wherein the expandable body is at a point coextensive with a vulnerable plaque lesion; and
expanding the expandable body to a variable diameter along the working length such that at a point coextensive with the lesion the working length has a smallest diameter. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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22. An apparatus comprising:
a cannula having a dimension suitable for insertion into a blood vessel and an expandable body coupled thereto, the expandable body comprising a first outer diameter suitable for insertion through the blood vessel and a second outer diameter greater than the first diameter and having a maximum dimension to modify the shape of an inner diameter of the blood vessel and retain a similar perimeter. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A kit comprising:
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a cannula having a dimension suitable for insertion into a blood vessel and comprising an expandable body coupled thereto, the expandable body comprising a first outer diameter suitable for insertion through the blood vessel and a second outer diameter greater than the first diameter and the second diameter has a maximum dimension to modify the shape of an inner diameter of the blood vessel and retain a same perimeter; and
a stent having a diameter suitable for deployment on the expandable body through a blood vessel. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. An apparatus comprising:
an expandable framework having an expanded diameter suitable for placement in a blood vessel and comprising a first end and a second end and a polymeric material disposed between the first end and the second end and defining a lumen therethrough. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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43. An apparatus comprising:
an expandable body having a diameter suitable for insertion into a blood vessel and capable of being modified from a first folded diameter to a second larger unfolded diameter in response to an inflation pressure less than two atmospheres and, following modification, being non-compliant at an inflation pressure less than two atmospheres. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45)
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46. An apparatus comprising:
an expandable body having a diameter suitable for insertion into a blood vessel and capable of being modified from a first diameter to a second larger diameter in response to an inflation pressure, wherein the second diameter is less than an inside diameter of the blood vessel and, following modification, being less compliant at an increased inflation pressure. - View Dependent Claims (47)
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48. An apparatus comprising:
a balloon expandable intralumenal framework comprising a first end and a second end defining a length dimension longer than a length of a vulnerable plaque, the framework comprising axially-oriented anchor portions at the first end and the second end capable of anchoring to a blood vessel and supporting a medial portion between the ends without anchoring the medial portion to the blood vessel. - View Dependent Claims (49)
Specification