CATHETER SYSTEM WITH BALLOON-MOUNTED PLAQUE-MODIFYING ELEMENTS
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A plaque-modifying catheter system comprising:
- a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end and an intermediate section therebetween;
an inner lumen between the proximal and distal ends through which a medical device or fluid may pass without interruption or interference through the inner lumen;
an expandable balloon located between the proximal and distal ends of the catheter and circumscribing at least the intermediate section of the catheter, the balloon receiving a pressurizing fluid between the catheter and the balloon which causes the balloon to inflate, the balloon having an outer surface; and
an assembly of plaque-modifying elements mounted on at least a part of the outer surface of the balloon, thereby creating an array of weakened areas in a vessel wall when the balloon is urged into contact with the vessel wall, at least some of the modifying elements having a tip situated atop a plaque-modifying element, the tip having a cross section geometry selected from the group consisting of a polygon, an oval, a circle, a dome, an ellipse, an “
x”
shape, a star shape and a “
y”
shape.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A plaque-modifying balloon and method for use in an endovascular procedure includes an elongated balloon that defines a longitudinal axis and is inflatable from a first deflated configuration to a second radially expanded configuration. One or more plaque-modifying elements are mounted on the outside of the inflatable balloon. Optionally, a compressible sheath made of a relatively low durometer, flexible material is mounted on the balloon to cover the elements during transit of the plaque-modifying balloon to and from the treatment site.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A plaque-modifying catheter system comprising:
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a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end and an intermediate section therebetween; an inner lumen between the proximal and distal ends through which a medical device or fluid may pass without interruption or interference through the inner lumen; an expandable balloon located between the proximal and distal ends of the catheter and circumscribing at least the intermediate section of the catheter, the balloon receiving a pressurizing fluid between the catheter and the balloon which causes the balloon to inflate, the balloon having an outer surface; and an assembly of plaque-modifying elements mounted on at least a part of the outer surface of the balloon, thereby creating an array of weakened areas in a vessel wall when the balloon is urged into contact with the vessel wall, at least some of the modifying elements having a tip situated atop a plaque-modifying element, the tip having a cross section geometry selected from the group consisting of a polygon, an oval, a circle, a dome, an ellipse, an “
x”
shape, a star shape and a “
y”
shape. - View Dependent Claims (2, 5)
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3. A plaque-modifying expansible assembly extending from a balloon of a balloon catheter, comprising:
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a plurality of one or more plaque-modifying elements, the elements being normally in a radially collapsed configuration when the balloon is deflated and being movable to a radially expanded configuration when the balloon is inflated, then returning to its radially collapsed configuration when the balloon is deflated; the elements being adapted to interface with hardened stenotic material when expanded by the balloon in a blood vessel lumen; wherein the one or more plaque-modifying elements are disposed at least partially between a proximal and a distal end region of the balloon; and the balloon having end regions mounted over the catheter, the end regions retaining a pressurizing fluid inside the balloon and outside the catheter as the balloon as the balloon is inflated and deflated.
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4. A method for dilating a stenosed region in a blood vessel, the method having steps including:
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expanding an inflatable balloon that supports an assembly of plaque-modifying elements to radially outwardly displace the elements within the stenosed region, the assembly extending from an outer surface of the balloon; wherein the elements are disposed between the balloon and the stenosed region, expanding the balloon causing the elements to influence at least a part of the stenotic material to impart a modified pattern in the stenotic material about an inner wall of the blood vessel as the balloon is in an expanded state; and radially contracting the balloon, wherein the assembly lies in folds of the balloon as the balloon is being expanded and contracted.
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6. A method for dilating a stenosed region in a blood vessel, said method comprising:
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expanding an assembly of plaque-modifying elements to radially displace the elements outwardly within a stenosed region of the blood vessel; wherein the elements are disposed between an expansible balloon and the stenosed region and expanding the balloon causes the elements to modify the stenotic material to leave an impression in the stenotic material about the inner wall of the blood vessel as the balloon is in an expanded state; and radially contracting the balloon, wherein the elements extend from the balloon as the balloon is expanded and contracted. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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7. A plaque-modifying catheter system for modifying tissue at a treatment site in a body vessel of a patient, the plaque-modifying balloon comprising:
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an elongated balloon defining a longitudinal axis, said balloon being inflatable from a first deflated configuration to a second radially expanded configuration; an assembly of plaque-modifying elements mounted on said balloon, said elements extending radially from said balloon when said balloon is in an inflated configuration; and a sheath that covers said elements during transit to and from the treatment site and for withdrawal from between the tissue and the elements to expose the elements for tissue modification upon inflation of the balloon. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification