Method of using removable endo-arterial devices to repair detachments in the arterial walls

• US 4,998,539 A
• Filed: 12/13/1988
• Issued: 03/12/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gerard L. Delsanti
• Original Assignee: Gerard L. Delsanti
• Inventors: Delsanti, Gerard L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thaler, Michael H.
• Application Number:
  US07/283,729
• Time in Patent Office: 819 Days
• Field of Search: 128/343, 128/345, 128/341, 128/348.1, 128/898, 604/104, 604/107, 606/108, 606/153, 606/155, 606/156, 606/198, 606/200, 606/194
• US Class Current: 128/898
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2212 having a closed distal end, e.g. a loop
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/90 characterised by a net-like or mesh-like structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/95 Instruments specially adapted for placement or removal of stents or stent-grafts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0076 ellipsoidal or ovoid
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0024 Expandable catheters or sheaths
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 29/02 Dilators made of swellable material balloon catheters for angioplasty A61M25/104

Abstract

A removable endo-arterial device intended to repair detachments in arterial walls which includes a deformable cuff made of netting of interlocked wires and fixed to the distal end of a catheter, the other end of which is equipped with a funnel. The device also includes a stiff wire extending over the entire length of the catheter and attached to the distal end of said deformable cuff. When this wire is pulled, the cuff is dilated and applies itself against the arterial wall. Preferably, an inflatable balloon is disposed within the cuff to facilitate the expansion thereof. One application of the invention is the repair of flaps of arterial wal which are detached during the course of an intervention correcting a stenosis with an inflatable balloon.

Claims

1. A method of treating a patient'"'"'s artery after the use of a catheter in an interventional procedure therein has damaged a section of arterial lining which can result in a blood flow restriction through the damaged arterial section, the method comprising:

(a) withdrawing from the patient'"'"'s artery the catheter used in the interventional procedure;

(b) providing a separate catheter assembly having an elongated catheter body with an expandable member at the distal end thereof formed of interwoven strands of wire or fiber which are secured at the proximal and distal ends of the expandable member;

(c) advancing the catheter assembly into and through the patient'"'"'s arterial system until the expandable member is disposed within the damaged arterial section;

(d) reducing the axial spacing between the distal and proximal ends of the expandable member to expand the expandable member to radially press the strands thereof against the damaged arterial lining and thereby expand the passageway through the damaged arterial section and increase the blood flow therethrough;

(e) holding the expandable member stationary within the damaged arterial section in the expanded condition with the strands thereof pressing against the damaged arterial lining while blood flows through the arterial passageway for a period of sufficient length to ensure that the arterial lining within the damaged section is resecured to the arterial wall;

(f) increasing the axial spacing between the proximal and distal ends of the expandable member at the end of said period to thereby reduce the radial dimension thereof so that the expandable member can be removed from the damaged arterial section; and

(g) removing the catheter assembly from the patient'"'"'s artery.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein a guidewire is first advanced through the patient'"'"'s arterial system to a site therein for the interventional procedure and then after the interventional procedure the catheter assembly having the expandable member at the distal end thereof is advanced over the previously placed guidewire to the site having a flow restriction which results from the interventional procedure.

3. A method of treating a patient'"'"'s artery after an interventional procedure therein has damaged the arterial lining resulting in a blood fow restriction in the passageway therethrough, the method comprising:

(a) providing a catheter assembly having an expandable member at the distal end thereof formed of interwoven strands of wire or fiber which are secured at the proximal and distal ends of the expandable member;

(b) advancing the catheter assembly through the patient'"'"'s arterial system until the expandable member is disposed within the blood flow restriction in the arterial passageway;

(c) reducing the axial spacing between the distal and proximal ends of the expandable member to increase the radial dimension thereof to radially press the strands thereof against the flow restriction and thereby expand the passageway and increase the blood flow therethrough;

(d) holding the expandable member stationary in the expanded condition within the flow restriction while blood flows through the arterial passageway for an extended period of at least one hour;

(e) increasing the axial spacing between the proximal and distal ends of the expandable member at the end of said period to thereby reduce the radial dimension thereof so that the expandable member can be removed from the site of the flow restriction; and

(f) removing the catheter assembly from the patient'"'"'s artery.