Variable diameter rotating recanalization catheter and surgical method
First Claim
1. An intravascular catheter for removing occlusions from a vessel comprising:
- (a) an elongated flexible jacket having opposed proximal and distal ends, defining a central passageway extending between the ends;
(b) a working head located at the distal end of the jacket;
(c) a flexible drive cable extending through the central passageway, including a driving end rotatably connected to the working head at the proximal end and a driven end operatively connected to a power source for rotating the working head, the working head having a shaft operatively connected to the drive cable at the distal end of the jacket, including a pair of tip portions pivotally mounted on the shaft, the tip portions being separable from one another by centrifugal forces as the shaft rotates; and
(d) a actuator for actuating the working head from at least an initial retracted position having a first effective working diameter to an extended position having a second effective working diameter greater than the first effective diameter whereby centrifugal forces generated by rotation of the cable cause the tip portions to assume the greater second working diameter.
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Accused Products
Abstract
According to the invention there is provided an intravascular catheter comprising an elongated flexible jacket having opposed proximal and distal ends and a central passageway extending between and interconnecting the ends. A rotating working head is located at the distal end of the jacket. A flexible drive cable extends through the passageway of the jacket, having a driving end operatively connected to the working head for rotating it, and a driven end operatively connected to a high-speed motor. The working head is rotatably mounted in a bearing sleeve which is further attached to the catheter jacket. The working head is actuated, by a actuator which adjust the a pair of tip portions from an at least initial retracted position with a first effective working diameter to an extended position with a second effective working diameter greater than the first effective diameter. Centrifugal forces generated by rotation of the cable cause the tip portions to assume the greater effective working diameter.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. An intravascular catheter for removing occlusions from a vessel comprising:
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(a) an elongated flexible jacket having opposed proximal and distal ends, defining a central passageway extending between the ends; (b) a working head located at the distal end of the jacket; (c) a flexible drive cable extending through the central passageway, including a driving end rotatably connected to the working head at the proximal end and a driven end operatively connected to a power source for rotating the working head, the working head having a shaft operatively connected to the drive cable at the distal end of the jacket, including a pair of tip portions pivotally mounted on the shaft, the tip portions being separable from one another by centrifugal forces as the shaft rotates; and (d) a actuator for actuating the working head from at least an initial retracted position having a first effective working diameter to an extended position having a second effective working diameter greater than the first effective diameter whereby centrifugal forces generated by rotation of the cable cause the tip portions to assume the greater second working diameter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An intravascular catheter for removing occlusions from a vessel comprising:
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(a) an elongated flexible jacket having opposed proximal and distal ends, defining a central passageway extending between the ends; (b) a working head located at the distal end of the jacket comprising a shaft, a pair of rotating tip portions, a sleeve presenting a bearing face which axially contacts a distal shoulder of the working head in a retracted position, the tip portions being pivotally mounted on the shaft, and separable from one another by centrifugal forces as the shaft rotates; (c) a flexible drive cable extending through the central passageway, including a driving end rotatably connected to the shaft at the distal end of the jacket and a driven end operatively connected to a power source for rotating the shaft; and (d) a actuator for actuating the working head from at least an initial retracted position having a first effective working diameter to an extended position having a second effective working diameter greater than the first effective diameter whereby centrifugal forces generated by rotation of the cable cause the tip portions to assume the greater second working diameter.
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13. An intravascular catheter for removing occlusions from a vessel comprising:
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(a) an elongated flexible jacket having opposed proximal and distal ends, defining a central passageway extending between the ends; (b) a working head located at the distal end of the jacket comprising a shaft, a pair of rotating tip portions, a sleeve presenting a bearing face which axially contacts a distal shoulder of the working head in a retracted position, the tip portions being pivotally mounted on the shaft, and separable from one another by centrifugal forces as the shaft rotates; (c) a flexible drive cable extending through the central passageway, including a driving end rotatably connected to the shaft at the distal end of the jacket and a driven end operatively connected to a power source for rotating the shaft; and (d) a actuator for actuating the working head from at least an initial retracted position having a first effective working diameter to an extended position having a second effective working diameter greater than the first effective diameter, by causing the shaft to move axially in a distal and proximal direction within the sleeve when the flexible drive cable is actuated, whereby centrifugal forces generated by rotation of the cable cause the tip portions to assume the greater second working diameter.
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Specification