ATHERECTOMY DEVICE SUPPORTED BY FLUID BEARINGS
First Claim
1. A method of using a rotational atherectomy device comprising:
- delivering a distal end portion of a rotational atherectomy device to a blood vessel having a stenotic lesion to be treated, the rotational atherectomy device including a rotatable, flexible drive shaft comprising a longitudinal axis, a torque transmitting coil, and at least one fluid delivery lumen extending to the distal end portion of rotational atherectomy device;
rotating the drive shaft of the rotational atherectomy device so that an abrasive element mounted to the drive shaft along distal end portion of the rotational atherectomy device rotates with the vessel having the stenotic lesion to be treated, wherein a center of mass of the abrasive element is offset from the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft; and
during rotation of the drive shaft, outputting fluid flow in a generally radially outward direction through outflow ports in each of a distal solid counterweight and a proximal solid counterweight mounted to the drive shaft along distal end portion of the rotational atherectomy device, the abrasive element being positioned proximal to and spaced away from the distal solid counterweight located at a distal tip of the drive shaft, and the abrasive element being positioned distal to and spaced away from the proximal solid counterweight, each of the distal and proximal solid support elements being substantially smaller than the abrasive element and having a surface texture that is different from an abrasive surface texture of the abrasive element, wherein said distal and proximal solid counterweights are configured to acts as counterweights to the abrasive element when said abrasive element and said distal and proximal solid counterweights rotate together with the drive shaft.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A rotational atherectomy device for removing a stenotic tissue from a vessel of a patient comprises a flexible hollow drive shaft and an abrasive element mounted to the drive shaft proximal to and spaced from a solid support element mounted at the distal end of the drive shaft, the solid support element having a rounded outer surface and an outflow channel with an outflow opening in said rounded outer surface. The drive shaft comprises a torque transmitting coil and at least one fluid impermeable membrane forming a fluid impermeable lumen for the antegrade flow of fluid into the outflow channel such that, during rotation of the drive shaft, a flow of fluid out of said outflow opening forms a fluid bearing between the rotating solid support element and the wall of the treated vessel.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method of using a rotational atherectomy device comprising:
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delivering a distal end portion of a rotational atherectomy device to a blood vessel having a stenotic lesion to be treated, the rotational atherectomy device including a rotatable, flexible drive shaft comprising a longitudinal axis, a torque transmitting coil, and at least one fluid delivery lumen extending to the distal end portion of rotational atherectomy device; rotating the drive shaft of the rotational atherectomy device so that an abrasive element mounted to the drive shaft along distal end portion of the rotational atherectomy device rotates with the vessel having the stenotic lesion to be treated, wherein a center of mass of the abrasive element is offset from the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft; and during rotation of the drive shaft, outputting fluid flow in a generally radially outward direction through outflow ports in each of a distal solid counterweight and a proximal solid counterweight mounted to the drive shaft along distal end portion of the rotational atherectomy device, the abrasive element being positioned proximal to and spaced away from the distal solid counterweight located at a distal tip of the drive shaft, and the abrasive element being positioned distal to and spaced away from the proximal solid counterweight, each of the distal and proximal solid support elements being substantially smaller than the abrasive element and having a surface texture that is different from an abrasive surface texture of the abrasive element, wherein said distal and proximal solid counterweights are configured to acts as counterweights to the abrasive element when said abrasive element and said distal and proximal solid counterweights rotate together with the drive shaft. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification