Segmented Embolectomy Catheter

• US 20060282111A1
• Filed: 06/09/2006
• Published: 12/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Baylor College of Medicine (Baylor College)
• Original Assignee: Baylor College of Medicine (Baylor College)
• Inventors: Morsi, Hesham
• Application Number:
  US11/423,343
• Publication Number:
  US 20060282111A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/194
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/22032 having inflatable gripping elements balloon catheters A61M25/10
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3207 Atherectomy devices working by cutting or abrading; Similar devices specially adapted for non-vascular obstructions A61B17/32037 takes precedence; endoscopic cutting instruments A61B17/320016
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320725 with radially expandable cutting or abrading elements A61B17/32075 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32075 Pullback cutting; combined forward and pullback cutting, e.g. with cutters at both sides of the plaque
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22034 for gripping the obstruction or the tissue part from inside
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320741 for stripping the intima or the internal plaque from a blood vessel, e.g. for endarterectomy
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0004 having two or more concentrically arranged tubes for forming a concentric catheter system
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0096 being laterally outward extensions or tools, e.g. hooks or fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0175 having telescopic features, interengaging nestable members movable in relations to one another
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/109 having balloons for removing solid matters, e.g. by grasping or scraping plaque, thrombus or other matters that obstruct the flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0045 multi-layered, e.g. coated coating materials A61L29/08
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/1002 characterised by balloon shape A61M25/1006, A61M25/1009 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/1011 Multiple balloon catheters

Abstract

A discrete segmented balloon catheter for removal of an embolus. In an embodiment, the catheter comprises a catheter having a proximal and a distal end, a fluid inlet at the proximal end, and discrete expandable segments placed along the shaft of the catheter. In addition, the segments are expanded through dispersal of fluid that flows from the catheter'"'"'s proximal inlet. It follows that the segments are contracted through withdrawal of fluid from the catheter'"'"'s proximal inlet.

Claims

1. A catheter comprising:

a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end;

a fluid inlet at said proximal end of said catheter; and

a plurality of discrete, annular expandable members disposed axially along said catheter in fluid communication with said inlet.

2. The catheter of claim 1, further comprising a guide wire disposed within said catheter.

3. The catheter of claim 2, further including a seal at said distal end of said catheter, wherein said guide wire extends through said seal.

4. The catheter of claim 2, further comprising an inner shaft defining an inner lumen disposed in said catheter, said guide wire being disposed in said inner lumen.

5. The catheter of claim 1 wherein said expandable members comprise a resilient material.

6. The catheter of claim 1 wherein said plurality of members are radially expandable.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of members has an expanded outer diameter that is approximately equal to the vessel'"'"'s inner diameter.

8. The catheter of claim 1 wherein said plurality of members are collapsible so as to reduce overall diameter of said catheter when contracted.

9. The catheter of claim 1 wherein each of said members, when expanded, has a circular, conical, or cup shape.

10. The catheter of claim 1 wherein said plurality of members have substantially identical expanded diameters.

11. The catheter of claim 1 wherein a web is affixed inside each of said plurality of members so as to prevent radial or axial deformation of said member beyond a predetermined extent.

12. The catheter of claim 11 wherein said web comprises a less resilient material than that of said plurality of members.

15. The device of claim 11 further comprising a guide wire disposed within said catheter.

16. The device of claim 15, further including an inner shaft defining an inner lumen disposed in said catheter, said guide wire being disposed in said inner lumen.

13. A device for removal of an embolus from a vessel comprising:

a guiding catheter having a first passage;

an inner catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and an inlet at the proximal end of said inner catheter, wherein a portion of said proximal end is disposed within said first passage; and

a plurality of radially expandable members disposed axially along said inner catheter.

14. The device of claim 13 wherein each of said plurality of members has an expanded outer diameter that is approximately equal to the vessel'"'"'s inner diameter.

17. The inner catheter of claim 13 wherein said plurality of members comprises a resilient material.

18. The catheter of claim 13 wherein a web is affixed inside each of said plurality of members so as to prevent radial or axial deformation of said member beyond a predetermined extent.

19. The catheter of claim 18 wherein said web comprises a less resilient material than that of said plurality of members.

20. A method of removing at least a portion of an embolus from a vessel comprising;

a) providing a first catheter comprising a plurality of radially expandable members disposed axially along said first catheter and a guide wire disposed within said catheter;

b) advancing said guide wire into the vessel distally through an occluded branch of the vessel;

c) inserting said first catheter along said guide wire into the occluded branch, wherein said plurality of members are contracted upon insertion;

d) expanding said plurality of members to capture at least a portion of an embolus between said members; and

e) withdrawing said first catheter and said expanded plurality of members proximally from said vessel to remove the embolus from the branch.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein (c) further comprises expanding said plurality of members to the occluded branch'"'"'s diameter.

22. The method of claim 20 wherein (d) further comprises at least partially contracting said plurality of members upon proximally withdrawing said first catheter.

23. The method of claim 22 further comprising a guiding catheter, wherein a portion of said first catheter is disposed within said guiding catheter.

24. The method of claim 23 further comprising drawing said first catheter and said plurality of members into said guiding catheter and removing said guiding catheter and said first catheter from the vessel to extract at least a portion of the embolus.