Expanding mesh catheter

• US 3,996,938 A
• Filed: 07/10/1975
• Issued: 12/14/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: William T. Clark III
• Original Assignee: William T. Clark III
• Inventors: Clark, William T. III
• Primary Examiner(s): Pace, Channing L.
• Application Number:
  US05/594,706
• Time in Patent Office: 523 Days
• Field of Search: 128/303 R, 128/341, 128/342, 128/343, 128/344, 128/348
• US Class Current: 606/200
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/221 Gripping devices in the form of loops or baskets for gripping calculi or similar types of obstructions surgical snare instruments A61B17/32056
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22034 for gripping the obstruction or the tissue part from inside
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2212 having a closed distal end, e.g. a loop
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3008 radio-opaque, e.g. radio-opaque markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0108 using radio-opaque or ultrasound markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/04 in the body, e.g. expansible A61M25/10, A61M16/0488 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/09033 with fixed mandrils, e.g. mandrils fixed to tip; Tensionable wires
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 29/02 Dilators made of swellable material balloon catheters for angioplasty A61M25/104

Abstract

The diameter of a normally cylindrical mesh on the distal end of a flexible catheter is increased by a manually operated plunger so as to remove a clot from the vessel as the catheter is withdrawn.

Claims

1. A catheter comprising

a guide tube having an elongate flexible portion, flexible plunger slidably disposed in said tube, and having one end portion extending outwardly beyond an end of the flexible portion of said guide tube,

a rounded tip member on the outer end of said plunger,

a mesh sleeve surrounding said outwardly extending end portion of said plunger and having opposite ends respectively connected to said tip member and said end of said guide tube, and means on the other end of said tube and the other end of said plunger for manipulating the same and for pulling said tip towards said guide tube whereby to expand said mesh sleeve.

2. A catheter as claimed in claim 1, said mesh sleeve being comprised of tubular braid.

3. A catheter as claimed in claim 1, said tip being generally of bullet shape.