Method and apparatus for removing venous valves
First Claim
1. A valvulectome adapted for use in excising a venous valve, comprising:
- an elongated probe having one end adapted to be inserted generally longitudinally into a vein, having another end adapted to remain outside said vein, and having an outer surface extending between said ends;
recess means forming a recess extending into said probe from said outer surface adjacent said one end;
a blade member having one end pivotally connected to said probe, said blade member having a cutting edge arranged at another end thereof to face toward said probe other end;
actuating means mounted on said probe and selectively operable to cause said blade member to move relative to said probe between an outwardly-extended position in which said cutting edge is arranged outwardly beyond said outer surface, and an inwardly-retracted position in which said cutting edge is arranged within said recess;
whereby, when said blade member is in such retracted position, said cutting edge thereof will not extend outwardly beyond said outer surface, such that said probe may be moved longitudinally relative to said vein without causing undue damage to the endothelial tissue of said vein.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An improved valvulectome (10) is adapted for use in selectively excising the leaflets of a venous valve. The apparatus includes an elongated probe (11) having one tip end portion (12) adapted to be inserted generally longitudinally into a vein. An actuating rod (55) may be moved relative to the probe to selectively move a pair of blade members (45,46) between their respective fully-retracted positions, at which the blade cutting edges (51,51'"'"') will be concealed within the transverse profile or outline of the probe, and their outwardly-extending ready-to-cut positions. The probe has a lumen (38) for sensing the fluid pressure proximate the probe tip. The probe also has a piezoelectric sensor (29) for sensing and measuring the velocity of blood proximate the probe tip. In use, the probe is inserted into a vein, and pushed through a valve with the blades retracted. The blades are then extended radially, and the probe is pulled rearwardly to excise portions of the valve leaflets.
184 Citations
25 Claims
-
1. A valvulectome adapted for use in excising a venous valve, comprising:
-
an elongated probe having one end adapted to be inserted generally longitudinally into a vein, having another end adapted to remain outside said vein, and having an outer surface extending between said ends; recess means forming a recess extending into said probe from said outer surface adjacent said one end; a blade member having one end pivotally connected to said probe, said blade member having a cutting edge arranged at another end thereof to face toward said probe other end; actuating means mounted on said probe and selectively operable to cause said blade member to move relative to said probe between an outwardly-extended position in which said cutting edge is arranged outwardly beyond said outer surface, and an inwardly-retracted position in which said cutting edge is arranged within said recess; whereby, when said blade member is in such retracted position, said cutting edge thereof will not extend outwardly beyond said outer surface, such that said probe may be moved longitudinally relative to said vein without causing undue damage to the endothelial tissue of said vein. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. The method of excising a venous valve by means of a probe having one end adapted to be inserted generally longitudinally into a vein, having another end adapted to remain outside said vein, and having an outer surface, said probe having a recess extending into said probe from said outer surface adjacent said one end, having a blade member movably mounted on said probe, said blade member having a cutting edge, and having actuating means mounted on said probe and selectively operable to cause said blade member to move relative to said probe between an outwardly-extended position in which said cutting edge is arranged outwardly beyond said outer surface, and an inwardly-retracted position in which said cutting edge is arranged within said recess, which method comprises the steps of:
-
making an incision in a vein; moving said blade member to said inwardly-retracted position such that said cutting edge does not extend outwardly beyond the outer surface of said probe; inserting said probe into said vein; passing said probe one end portion through said venous valve; moving said blade member from such retracted position to said outwardly-extended position; and moving said probe generally longitudinally relative to said vein with said blade member in said outwardly-extended position so as to sever portions of the leaflets of said venous valve from said vein. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. Apparatus adapted for use in modifying the internal shape of a blood vessel, comprising:
-
an elongated probe having one end adapted to be inserted generally longitudinally into said blood vessel, having another end adapted to remain outside said blood vessel, and having an outer surface extending between said ends; recess means forming a recess extending into said probe from said outer surface adjacent said one end; a blade member having one end pivotally connected to said probe, said blade member having a sharpened edge arranged at another end thereof to face toward said probe other end; actuating means mounted on said probe and selectively operable to cause said blade member to move relative to said probe between an outwardly-extended position in which said sharpened edge is arranged outwardly beyond said outer surface, and an inwardly-retracted position in which said sharpened edge is arranged within said recess; whereby, when said blade member is in such retracted position, said cutting edge thereof will not extend outwardly beyond said outer surface, such that said probe may be moved longitudinally relative to said blood vessel.
-
-
21. The method of modifying the internal shape of a blood vessel by means of a probe having one end adapted to be inserted generally longitudinally into said blood vessel, having another end adapted to remain outside said blood vessel, and having an outer surface, said probe having a recess extending into said probe from said outer surface adjacent said one end, having a blade member movably mounted on said probe, said blade member having a sharpened edge, and having actuating means mounted on said probe and selectively operable to cause said blade member to move relative to said probe between an outwardly-extended position in which said sharpened edge is arranged outwardly beyond said outer surface, and an inwardly-retracted position in which said sharpened edge is arranged within said recess, which method comprises the steps of:
-
making an incision in a blood vessel; moving said blade member to said inwardly-retracted position such that said sharpened edge does not extend outwardly beyond the outer surface of said probe; inserting said probe into said blood vessel; passing said probe one end portion past tissue to be excised from said blood vessel; moving said blade member from such retracted position to said outwardly-extended position; and moving said probe generally longitudinally relative to said blood vessel with said blade member in said outwardly-extended position so as to excise said tissue from said blood vessel. - View Dependent Claims (22)
-
-
23. A valvulectome adapted for use in excising a venous valve, comprising:
-
an elongated probe having one end adapted to be inserted generally longitudinally into a vein, having another end adapted to remain outside said vein, and having an outer surface extending between said ends; recess means forming a recess extending into said probe from said outer surface adjacent said one end; a blade member movably mounted on said probe, said blade member having a cutting edge; actuating means mounted on said probe and selectively operable to cause said blade member to move relative to said probe between an outwardly-extended position in which said cutting edge is arranged outwardly beyond said outer surface, and an inwardly-retracted position in which said cutting edge is arranged within said recess; and a velocity sensor mounted on said probe for measuring the velocity of blood in said vein at the position of said sensor; whereby, when said blade member is in such retracted position, said cutting edge thereof will not extend outwardly beyond said outer surface, such that said probe may be moved longitudinally relative to said vein without causing undue damage to the endothelial tissue of said vein. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
-
Specification