APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR LOCATING AN OSTIUM OF A VESSEL
First Claim
1. An apparatus for locating an ostium of a body lumen, comprising:
- a tubular member comprising a proximal end, a distal end sized for introduction into a body lumen, and a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends;
an elongate member comprising a distal portion disposed within the lumen such that the distal portion may be advanced beyond the tubular member distal end; and
one or more locator elements on the distal portion, each locator element comprising a first end fixed to the distal portion and a second end free from the distal portion, each locator element being resiliently compressible to a contracted condition when the distal portion is disposed within the lumen such that the second end is disposed proximal to the first end, each locator element being resiliently expandable to an enlarged condition when fully deployed.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for locating an ostium of a branch vessel include a delivery catheter having a distal end sized for introduction into the branch, and locator elements including first ends fixed to the distal end and second ends free from the distal ends. The locator elements are compressible from a transverse, deployed condition to an axial, contracted condition, wherein the second ends are disposed proximal to the first ends. During use, the catheter is directed through a guide catheter into the ostium with the locator elements compressed, and the locator elements are deployed within the branch in the contracted condition. The catheter is partially withdrawn from the branch, the locator elements resiliently expanding towards the deployed condition as they enter the main vessel. The catheter may be used to deliver a stent into the branch with the expanded locator elements facilitating positioning the stent.
172 Citations
24 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for locating an ostium of a body lumen, comprising:
-
a tubular member comprising a proximal end, a distal end sized for introduction into a body lumen, and a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends;
an elongate member comprising a distal portion disposed within the lumen such that the distal portion may be advanced beyond the tubular member distal end; and
one or more locator elements on the distal portion, each locator element comprising a first end fixed to the distal portion and a second end free from the distal portion, each locator element being resiliently compressible to a contracted condition when the distal portion is disposed within the lumen such that the second end is disposed proximal to the first end, each locator element being resiliently expandable to an enlarged condition when fully deployed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A method for locating an ostium communicating from a main body lumen to a branch body lumen, comprising:
-
advancing a distal end of a delivery catheter into the main body lumen, the distal end comprising one or more locator elements constrained in a contracted condition;
advancing the distal end into the ostium until the one or more locator elements are disposed within the branch body lumen;
releasing the one or more locator elements within the branch body lumen;
partially withdrawing the distal end until the one or more locator elements at least partially emerge from the ostium and expand towards an enlarged condition; and
performing a procedure at or within the ostium based upon the position of the one or more locator elements in the enlarged condition. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
-
-
23. A method for locating an ostium communicating from a main body lumen to a branch body lumen, comprising:
-
advancing a distal end of a delivery catheter into the main body lumen, the distal end comprising one or more locator elements constrained in a contracted condition;
advancing the distal end into the ostium until the one or more locator elements are disposed within the branch body lumen;
releasing the one or more locator elements within the branch body lumen;
partially withdrawing the distal end until the one or more locator elements at least partially emerge from the ostium and expand towards an enlarged condition, whereupon the one or more locator elements automatically withdraw the distal end to accommodate expansion of the one or more locator elements towards the enlarged condition; and
performing a procedure at or within the ostium based upon the position of the one or more locator elements in the enlarged condition. - View Dependent Claims (24)
-
Specification