Hydrodynamic clot flushing
First Claim
1. A process for flushing clots form an intravascular probe, comprising the steps of:
- inserting a catheter assembly in a blood vessel, the catheter assembly comprising a catheter segment having an internal axial bore, the segment fitted substantially throughout its bore with an intravascular probe, wherein the intravascular probe does not completely occlude the internal axial bore;
delivering a flushant through the catheter bore and past the probe at a continual rate sufficient to maintain the catheter bore substantially free of blood clots; and
periodically delivering through the catheter bore a pulse of flushant at a rate that is higher than the continual rate and effective to substantially clear the probe of incipient blood clots.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A process for flushing clots from an intravascular probe including the steps of positioning a catheter assembly in a blood vessel and then delivering a flushant through the catheter and past the probe at two rates. The flushant is first delivered at a continual rate to maintain the catheter substantially free of blood clots. Periodically, a pulse of flushant is delivered at a second flow rate that is higher than the continual rate that is effective to clear the probe of incipient clots. The hydrodynamic clot flushing system includes a cather insertable within an arterial or venous blood vessel, the cather having an internal axial bore for conducting fluid and in which a probe is slidably received. A valve delivers a flushant through the internal axial bore of the catheter and around the probe at two selected rates. A plurality of radially arrayed ribs formed on either the internal wall of the catheter or the outside of the probe or both hold the probe away from the wall and provide fluid channels for conducting flushant to the probe tip.
414 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A process for flushing clots form an intravascular probe, comprising the steps of:
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inserting a catheter assembly in a blood vessel, the catheter assembly comprising a catheter segment having an internal axial bore, the segment fitted substantially throughout its bore with an intravascular probe, wherein the intravascular probe does not completely occlude the internal axial bore; delivering a flushant through the catheter bore and past the probe at a continual rate sufficient to maintain the catheter bore substantially free of blood clots; and periodically delivering through the catheter bore a pulse of flushant at a rate that is higher than the continual rate and effective to substantially clear the probe of incipient blood clots. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A hydrodynamic clot flushing system for flushing clots from an intravascular probe, the system comprising:
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a catheter means insertable within an arterial or venous blood vessel, the catheter means having an internal axial bore for conducting fluid, said bore having therein means for supporting said probe and providing a space between said probe and the bore wall of the catheter to enable fluid to pass therethrough; and means for delivering a flushant through the internal axial bore of the catheter and past the probe at a first flow rate sufficient to maintain the internal axial bore of the catheter means substantially free of blood clots and a second flow rate that is higher than the first flow rate and effective to substantially clear the probe of incipient clots. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification