Method of removing plaque from vessels

• US 5,135,484 A
• Filed: 05/09/1990
• Issued: 08/04/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tom L. Lightfoot
• Original Assignee: Pioneering Technology Corp
• Inventors: Wright, John T. M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thaler, Michael H.
• Application Number:
  US07/520,738
• Time in Patent Office: 818 Days
• Field of Search: 606/159, 606/190, 606/127, 606/128, 128/66, 604/101, 604/96, 604/22, 604/43, 604/28, 604/53
• US Class Current: 604/28
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/22 Implements for squeezing-off ulcers or the like on the inside of inner organs of the body; Implements for scraping-out cavities of body organs, e.g. bones; Calculus removers; Calculus smashing apparatus; Apparatus for removing obstructions in blood vessels, not otherwise provided for dilators A61M29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22054 with two balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320004 abrasive
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/005 with suction drainage system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/007 with irrigation system
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/1052 for temporarily occluding a vessel for isolating a sector
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/109 having balloons for removing solid matters, e.g. by grasping or scraping plaque, thrombus or other matters that obstruct the flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/1011 Multiple balloon catheters

Abstract

A method of removing plaque from vessels by at least partially isolating a portion of a vessel which is partially occluded by plaque from the remainder of the vessel, forcing a slurry to flow in contact with the plaque in the vessel to abrade the plaque, and withdrawing the slurry from the vessel, and apparatus for carrying out the method, are disclosed.

Claims

1. A method of removing plaque from vessels comprising the steps of:

at least partially isolating a portion of a vessel which is partially occluded by plaque from the remainder of the vessel; and

forcing a slurry formed of a physiologically acceptable liquid and particles which are insoluble in such liquid but soluble in blood serum to flow in contact with the plaque in the vessel to abrade the plaque.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of causing blood to flow through the catheter bypassing the isolated portion of the vessel while the slurry is forced to flow in contact with the plaque.

3. A method of removing plaque from vessels comprising the steps of:

at least partially isolating a portion of a vessel which is partially occluded by plaque from the remainder of the vessel;

forcing a slurry formed of a physiologically acceptable liquid and particles which are insoluble in such liquid but soluble in blood serum to flow in contact with the plaque in the vessel to abrade the plaque; and

withdrawing at least a portion of the slurry from the vessel while continuing to force said slurry to flow in contact with the plaque in the vessel.