Catheter technique for creation of an aortico-pulmonary shunt

• US 5,297,564 A
• Filed: 08/27/1992
• Issued: 03/29/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Love, Jack W.
• Original Assignee: Love, Jack W.
• Inventors: Love, Jack W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Green, Randall L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): GUALTIERI, GINA
• Application Number:
  US07/936,767
• Time in Patent Office: 579 Days
• Field of Search: 606/7, 606/13, 606/14-16, 128/898, 128/662.03, 128/662.05, 128/662.06, 606/108, 623/2-3
• US Class Current: 128/898
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/24 with a catheter A61B18/26, A61B18/28 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/245 for removing obstructions in blood vessels or calculi
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00022 Sensing or detecting at the treatment site
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/37 Surgical systems with images on a monitor during operation

Abstract

A method of creating an aortico-pulmonary shunt with a catheter is provided.

Claims

1. A method for creating an aortico-pulmonary shunt in the human body at the location of the chambers of the heart where the pulmonary artery and aorta form a common trunk, comprising the steps of:

(a) introducing a catheter into the body, said catheter being coupled to equipment for monitoring blood and oxygen characteristics;

(b) positioning the catheter within a blood vessel to said location outside the chambers of the heart where the pulmonary artery and aorta form a common trunk;

(c) utilizing a laser to form a hole through said common trunk between the aorta and pulmonary artery at said location along a common trunk through the process of ablation;

(d) utilizing the catheter to monitor a characteristic of the body; and

(e) optionally utilizing the laser to increase the size of the hole until the monitored characteristic achieves a predetermined level.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) comprises positioning the catheter within the pulmonary artery.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) comprise positioning the catheter within the aorta.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein step (c) comprises utilizing an excimer laser.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein step (d) comprises monitoring blood flow.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein step (d) comprises monitoring blood pressure.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein step (d) comprises monitoring oxygen saturation.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) comprises positioning the catheter using ultrasonic imaging.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) comprises positioning the catheter using a fine needle.

10. A method for creating an aortico-pulmonary shunt in the human body at a location outside of the chambers of the heart where the pulmonary artery and aorta form a common trunk without performing a surgical procedure at the situs of said shunt, comprising the steps of:

(a) introducing a catheter into the body, said catheter being coupled to equipment for monitoring blood and oxygen characteristics;

(b) utilizing ultrasonic imaging to position said catheter outside of the chambers of the heart at said location where the pulmonary artery and aorta form a common trunk;

(c) utilizing a laser in conjunction with said catheter to remove tissue through the process of ablation to form a hole through said common trunk so that the aorta and pulmonary artery are in communication at said location along said common trunk;

(d) monitoring the blood and oxygen characteristics; and

(e) utilizing the laser to increase the size of the hole until the monitored characteristic achieves a predetermined level.

11. A method for creating an aortico-pulmonary shunt in the human body at a location outside of the chambers of the heart where the pulmonary artery and aorta form a common trunk without performing a surgical procedure at the situs of said shunt, comprising the steps of:

(a) introducing a catheter into the body, said catheter being coupled to equipment for monitoring blood and oxygen characteristics;

(b) utilizing ultrasonic imaging to position said catheter outside of the chambers of the heart at said location where the pulmonary artery and aorta form a common trunk; and

(c) utilizing a laser in conjunction with said catheter to remove tissue through the process of ablation to form a hole through said common trunk so that the aorta and pulmonary artery are in communication at said location along said common trunk.