Catheter with working head having selectable impacting surfaces and method of using the same
First Claim
1. A medical instrument for engaging material located within the body of a living being to pulverize said material, said instrument being arranged for disposition within the body of said being and comprising an elongated body portion and a moveable working head, said working head being arranged for rotation about a longitudinal axis of said instrument in either of two opposite rotational directions and comprising a first non-sharp, impacting surface exhibiting a first predetermined aggressiveness of pulverizing action when engaging said material as said working head is rotated in one rotational direction to pulverize said material, and a second non-sharp, impacting surface exhibiting a second and different predetermined aggressiveness of pulverizing action when engaging said material as said working head is rotated in the opposite rotational direction to pulverize said material, each of said impacting surfaces defining at least one curve in a plane perpendicular to said axis and wherein the radius of curvature of said curves is different, with the radius of curvature of the curve of said first impacting surface being no greater than approximately 0.008 inch (0.203 mm), and with the radius of curvature of the curve of said second impacting surface being greater than that of said first impacting surface.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A catheter and method of use for engaging material within the body of a living being to accomplish a medical and/or surgical procedure, e.g., from and enlarging an opening in a restriction in a vessel, duct, or lumen formed by the material, or to destroy a stone or other hard body formed of the material. The catheter comprises an elongated body portion and a rotatable working head located at the distal end of the catheter. The catheter is positioned with the working head adjacent the material to be enlarged. The working head comprises at least two, non-sharp, impacting surfaces, each of differing aggressiveness of restriction opening action. The less aggressive of the impacting surfaces is brought into engagement with the material when the working head is rotated in one rotational direction. The more aggressive of the impacting surfaces is then rotated in the opposite rotational direction and brought into engagement with the material to complete the procedure.
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Citations
26 Claims
- 1. A medical instrument for engaging material located within the body of a living being to pulverize said material, said instrument being arranged for disposition within the body of said being and comprising an elongated body portion and a moveable working head, said working head being arranged for rotation about a longitudinal axis of said instrument in either of two opposite rotational directions and comprising a first non-sharp, impacting surface exhibiting a first predetermined aggressiveness of pulverizing action when engaging said material as said working head is rotated in one rotational direction to pulverize said material, and a second non-sharp, impacting surface exhibiting a second and different predetermined aggressiveness of pulverizing action when engaging said material as said working head is rotated in the opposite rotational direction to pulverize said material, each of said impacting surfaces defining at least one curve in a plane perpendicular to said axis and wherein the radius of curvature of said curves is different, with the radius of curvature of the curve of said first impacting surface being no greater than approximately 0.008 inch (0.203 mm), and with the radius of curvature of the curve of said second impacting surface being greater than that of said first impacting surface.
- 8. A working head for use with a medical instrument for engaging material within the body of a living being to pulverize said material, said working head being arranged for rotation about a longitudinal axis of said instrument in either of two opposite rotational directions and comprising a first non-sharp, impacting surface exhibiting a first predetermined aggressiveness of pulverizing action when engaging said material as said working head is rotated in one rotational direction to pulverize said material, and a second non-sharp, impacting surface exhibiting a second and different predetermined aggressiveness of pulverizing action when engaging said material as said working head is rotated in the opposite rotational direction to pulverize said material, each of said impacting surfaces defining at least one curve in a plane perpendicular to said axis and wherein the radius of curvature of said curves is different, with the radius of curvature of the curve of said first impacting surface being no greater than approximately 0.008 inch (0.203 mm), and with the radius of curvature of the curve of said second impacting surface being greater than that of said first impacting surface.
- 15. A method of engaging material located in the body of a living being to pulverize said material utilizing an instrument comprising an elongated body portion and a moveable working head, said working head being arranged for rotation about a longitudinal axis of said instrument and comprising a first non-sharp, impacting surface exhibiting a first predetermined aggressiveness of pulverizing action when engaging said material, and a second non-sharp, impacting surface exhibiting a second and different predetermined aggressiveness of pulverizing action when engaging aid material, said method comprising introducing said instrument into said body so that said working head is adjacent said material, rotating said working head and causing relative movement between said working head and said material so that said first impacting surface is brought into engagement with said material to pulverize said material, and thereafter rotating said working head and causing relative movement between said working head and said material so that said second impacting surface is brought into engagement with said material to pulverize said material more aggressively than that accomplished by said first impacting surface.
- 22. The method of forming and increasing the size of an opening in a restriction formed of a material in a vessel, duct, or lumen in a living being utilizing an instrument comprising an elongated body portion and a moveable working head, said working head being arranged for high speed rotation about a longitudinal axis of said instrument and comprising a first non-sharp, impacting surface exhibiting a first predetermined aggressiveness of action when engaging said material, and a second non-sharp, impacting surface exhibiting a second and different predetermined aggressiveness of action when engaging said material, said method comprising introducing said instrument into said vessel, duct, or lumen with said working head adjacent said restriction, rotating said working head at a high rate of speed while bringing said first impacting surface into engagement therewith and advancing said instrument into said material to produce an opening therethrough, and thereafter rotating said working head at a high rate of speed while bringing said second impacting surface into engagement with said material while moving said instrument through said opening to enlarge said opening.
Specification