VENOUS VALVE SNIPPER

• US 3,837,345 A
• Filed: 08/31/1973
• Issued: 09/24/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Adel F. Matar
• Original Assignee: Adel F. Matar
• Inventors: Matar, Adel F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pace, Channing L.
• Application Number:
  US05/393,653
• Time in Patent Office: 389 Days
• Field of Search: 128/2B,305,311,328
• US Class Current: 606/159
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320016 Endoscopic cutting instruments, e.g. arthroscopes, resectoscopes A61B10/0233, A61B17/29, A61B17/3207 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32053 Punch like cutting instruments, e.g. using a cylindrical or oval knife A61B17/326 takes precedence; trepans A61B17/1695; for use on the cornea A61F9/007
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22097 Valve removal in veins
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320064 with tissue or sample retaining means

Abstract

A cylindrical catheter-type instrument has a tubular member slidable lengthwise relative to a distal head member. The instrument may be inserted in the distal end of a vein in closed position causing it to pass through the venous valves in the direction of normal blood flow. When the instrument is partially withdrawn in open position the venous valve leaflets protrude into a gap between the tubular and head members and become impaled on spikes in the head member. Then the tubular member is closed on the head member causing an annular cutting blade on the tubular member to snip off the valve leaflets. Opening and closing of the head and tubular members is accomplished by a scissors-type handle connected to the two parts.

Claims

1. A venous valve snipper catheter instrument comprising a tubular member having a distal end and a proximal end, an annular cutting blade on said distal end, a rounded head mounted on a core rod extending through said tubular member, means for sliding said tubular member on said core rod to reciprocate said cutting blade toward and away from said head, said blade having an open position leaving a gap between the blade and head to receive the valve leaflets in a vein when the instrument is inserted and manipulated in the vein, and spikes in said head extending in a proximal direction beyond the head and partially across said gap when the blade is in said open position to impale said valve leaflets by manipulation of the instrument in the vein, said valve leaflets being excised by closing said cutting blade against said head.

2. An instrument as defined in claim 1, said head being hollow to contain said excised valve leaflets on said spikes.

3. An instrument as defined in claim 1, said tubular member and core rod being flexible.

4. An instrument as defined in claim 1, said spikes being mounted on said core rod.

5. An instrument as defined in claim 1 including a rigid collar on said proximal end of said tubular member.

6. An instrument as defined in claim 5, said means for sliding said tubular member on said core rod comprising a handle having a pair of pivotal levers, means for detachably connecting one of said levers with said rigid collar, and means for detachably connecting the other lever with said core rod.

7. An instrument as defined in claim 1, said tubular member and core rod being flexible, a rigid collar on said proximal end of said tubular member, said means for sliding said tubular member on said core rod comprising a handle having a pair of pivotal levers, a clamp on one of said levers for clamping said rigid collar, and a nut on the other lever having threaded engagement with said core rod.