SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ABLATION OF OCCLUSIONS WITHIN BLOOD VESSELS

• US 20090125045A1
• Filed: 01/20/2009
• Published: 05/14/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Arizona Medical Systems, LLC
• Original Assignee: Arizona Medical Systems, LLC
• Inventors: Heuser, Richard R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,545,418 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/159
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1492 having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation A61B18/1477 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00422 Angioplasty
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/144 Wire
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/01 Introducing, guiding, advancing, emplacing or holding catheters A61M25/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/09 Guide wires

Abstract

Wire systems for the ablation of occlusions within blood vessels are provided. Systems include one or more wires configured for percutaneous insertion in a blood vessel, the wires configured to ablate an occlusion within the blood vessel. In some embodiments, a wire is gradually tapered near its distal end so that it can be used to pierce occlusions. In some cases, it may be used to dilate existing microchannels within occlusions. In some embodiments, a capture device is inserted towards the occlusion from either the same or opposite side as the tapered wire, and is used to draw the wire through the occlusion.

Claims

1. A apparatus for obtaining access through an occlusion within a blood vessel, comprising:

a first wire configured for percutaneous insertion in the blood vessel towards a proximal surface of the occlusion, the first wire having a proximal end, distal end and a gradually tapered portion adjacent the distal end; and

a capture device configured for percutaneous insertion in the blood vessel towards a distal surface of the occlusion opposite the proximal surface, the capture device being operable to draw the distal end of the first wire to a position distal of the distal surface of the occlusion.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gradually tapered portion tapers from a diameter of about 0.014 inches to a diameter of about 0.010 inches in a direction from the proximal end of the first wire towards the distal end of the first wire.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gradually tapered portion tapers from a diameter of about 0.014 inches to a diameter of about 0.008 inches in a direction from the proximal end of the first wire towards the distal end of the first wire.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gradually tapered portion tapers from a diameter of about 0.018 inches to a diameter of about 0.010 inches in a direction from the proximal end of the first wire towards the distal end of the first wire.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gradually tapered portion tapers from a diameter of about 0.021 inches to a diameter of about 0.014 inches in a direction from the proximal end of the first wire towards the distal end of the first wire.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first wire includes a first magnet and the capture device includes a second magnet that is adapted to attract the first magnet.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the capture device further includes a receptor having a distal opening, a proximal end and a channel leading from the distal opening toward the proximal end, wherein the first and second magnets are adapted to draw the distal end of the first wire into the channel.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the channel of the receptor tapers in a direction from the distal opening toward the proximal end of the receptor.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the capture device comprises a retractable-loop snare configured to capture the distal end of the first wire and draw it to a position distal of the distal surface of the occlusion.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first wire includes a first magnet and the retractable loop-snare includes a second magnet adapted to attract the first magnet.

11. A method of obtaining access through an occlusion in a blood vessel, comprising:

inserting a first wire having a proximal end, a distal end and a gradually tapered portion adjacent the distal end into the blood vessel to a position where the distal end of the first wire is distal of a proximal surface of the occlusion;

inserting a capture device into the blood vessel to a position adjacent the distal end of the first wire; and

operating the capture device to draw the distal end of the first wire to a position distal of a distal surface of the occlusion.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the capture device is inserted into the blood vessel towards a distal surface of the occlusion opposite the proximal surface.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein operating the capture device includes operating a first magnet included on the capture device to attract a second magnet included on the first wire.

14. A method of obtaining access through an occlusion in a blood vessel, comprising:

inserting a first wire having a proximal end, a distal end and a gradually tapered portion adjacent the distal end into the blood vessel to a position where the distal tip of the first wire is adjacent a microchannel of the occlusion; and

advancing the first wire so that the gradually tapered portion gradually dilates the microchannel.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the gradually tapered portion tapers from a diameter of about 0.014 inches to a diameter of about 0.010 inches in a direction from the proximal end towards the distal end.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the gradually tapered portion tapers from a diameter of about 0.014 inches to a diameter of about 0.008 inches in a direction from the proximal end towards the distal end.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the gradually tapered portion tapers from a diameter of about 0.018 inches to a diameter of about 0.010 inches in a direction from the proximal end towards the distal end.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the gradually tapered portion tapers from a diameter of about 0.021 inches to a diameter of about 0.014 inches in a direction from the proximal end towards the distal end.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

inserting a capture device into the blood vessel to a position adjacent the occlusion; and

operating the capture device to draw the first wire through the occlusion.