Catheter based surgical methods and apparatus therefor
First Claim
1. The method of disentegrating a stone within the body of a living being by utilizing an elongated, small diameter, flexible catheter having a longitudinal axis and a distal end at which a working head is located, said working head being arranged for high speed movement with respect to said axis by associated drive means, said drive means arranged to freely effect the movement of said working head even if said catheter is bent through any arc up to a minimum radius of curvature and without resulting in excessive vibration which could interfere with the stone disentegration process, said method comprising inserting said catheter into said body from a remote location, causing said drive means to move said working head at a high rate of speed and advancing said catheter into contact with said stone along said axis as said working head is moving, whereupon the mechanical action of said moving working head causes the disentegration of said stone.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods for effecting various surgical procedures via the use of a flexible, small diameter, catheter. The catheter includes a working head arranged to be moved, e.g., rotated, at a high rate of speed by an associated drive system. In one method the catheter with the moving head is brought into engagement with a restriction caused by an atherosclerotic deposit in an artery to effect the opening of the restriction by the dilation of the artery. In another method the catheter is used to dilate a duct or tube, e.g., a fallopian tube, eustachian tube, bile duct, etc. in a living being. In another application the catheter is used to effect the in situ valvulectomy of a section of vein within a living being. In still another method the catheter is used to disintegrate a stone, such as a kidney or gall stone, in the body of a living being. In yet another method, the catheter is used to stop spasm in a lumen in a living being. A catheter is also disclosed which is particularly configured to effect an in situ valvulectomy or stone disintegration procedure.
309 Citations
23 Claims
- 1. The method of disentegrating a stone within the body of a living being by utilizing an elongated, small diameter, flexible catheter having a longitudinal axis and a distal end at which a working head is located, said working head being arranged for high speed movement with respect to said axis by associated drive means, said drive means arranged to freely effect the movement of said working head even if said catheter is bent through any arc up to a minimum radius of curvature and without resulting in excessive vibration which could interfere with the stone disentegration process, said method comprising inserting said catheter into said body from a remote location, causing said drive means to move said working head at a high rate of speed and advancing said catheter into contact with said stone along said axis as said working head is moving, whereupon the mechanical action of said moving working head causes the disentegration of said stone.
- 12. Apparatus for disintegrating a stone within the body of a living being, said apparatus comprising an elongated, small diameter, flexible catheter having a longitudinal axis and a distal end at which a working head is located, said working head being arranged for high speed movement with respect to said axis by drive means located within said catheter, said drive means being arranged to freely effect the movement of said working means even if said catheter is bent through any arc up to a minimum radius of curvature and without resulting in excessive vibration which could interfere with the process, said working head comprising portions adapted to engage said stone at a high rate of speed to effect the destruction thereof.
- 18. Apparatus for performing and in situ valvulectomy in the vein of a living being, said apparatus comprising an elongated, small diameter, flexible catheter having a longitudinal axis and a distal end at which a working head is located, said working head being arranged for high speed movement with respect to said axis by drive means located within said catheter, said drive means being arranged to freely effect the movement of said working head even if said catheter is bent through an arc up to a minimum radius of curvature and without resulting in excessive vibration which could interfere with the process, said working head comprising portions adapted to engage said valves at a high rate of speed to effect the destruction thereof.
Specification