Venous valve cutter for in situ incision of venous valve leaflets
First Claim
1. In a venous valve cutter for rendering venous valve leaflets incompetent having a cutter head with a forward circular cutting edge disposed in the direction of the intended movement of the cutter through the vein to render the valve leaflets incompetent, the improvement comprising:
- a plurality of proximally directed prongs in the circular cutting edge presenting sharp edges, said prongs having flat leading edges and being separated by slots similarly presenting sharp edges, said cutting head having a continuous cutting surface in multiple planes running along the entire forward edge of the cutting head.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An improved valve cutter for in-situ incision of valve leaflets which safely, efficiently, and consistently renders venous valves incompetent while minimizing frictional forces on the endothelium of the vessel and preventing inadvertent contact between cutting surfaces and the intima of the vein wall. The valve cutter includes a plurality of proximally directed prongs presenting sharp edges, where the prongs are separated by slots similarly presenting sharp edges to pierce the valve leaflets so that the cutting head is provided with a continuous cutting surface in multiple planes running along the entire forward edge of the cutting head.
104 Citations
24 Claims
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1. In a venous valve cutter for rendering venous valve leaflets incompetent having a cutter head with a forward circular cutting edge disposed in the direction of the intended movement of the cutter through the vein to render the valve leaflets incompetent, the improvement comprising:
a plurality of proximally directed prongs in the circular cutting edge presenting sharp edges, said prongs having flat leading edges and being separated by slots similarly presenting sharp edges, said cutting head having a continuous cutting surface in multiple planes running along the entire forward edge of the cutting head. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. An improved venous valve cutter comprising:
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a cutter head having a forward circular cutting edge and means for advancing said cutter head through a vein to render valve leaflets incompetent; said circular cutting edge having a plurality of proximally directed prongs presenting sharp leading edges, said prongs having flat leading edges and being separated by slots similarly presenting sharp cutting edges. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of in-situ removal of venous valve leaflets from a vein comprising:
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a) introducing at the proximal end of the vein a valve cutter with a plurality of proximally directed prongs with sharp edges in which the prongs are separated by slots also having sharp edges, with means for advancing the cutter head through a vein to render valve leaflets incompetent, and with an irrigation channel in the distal tip of the cutter head; b) introducing fluid through the bore in the distal tip of the cutting head while advancing the cutter head up through the vein; c) passing a fiber optic bundle through the irrigation channel so that the cutting of the valves may be viewed as the valve cutter is advanced down the vein; d) reversing the direction of movement of the valve cutter to advance the cutting head through the vein while maintaining fluid pressure to close the valve leaflets ahead of the cutting head; e) engaging the leaflets with the cutter head near the vein wall to form a small penetrating incision which is gently widened by the cutting surfaces of the valve cutter slots until the valve is rendered incompetent and debris is captured in the cuter head; and f) rendering successive valves incompetent.
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22. An improved venous valve cutter comprising:
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a cutter head having a forward circular cutting edge and associated therewith catheter means for advancing said cutter head through a vein to render valve leaflets incompetent; said circular cutting edge having a plurality of proximally directed prongs presenting sharp leading edges, said prongs being separated by slots similarly presenting sharp cutting edges; and a leader having a diameter generally equal to that of said cutter head and a rigid coil spring interconnecting the cutter head and leader and providing additional irrigation sites through spacings in the spring coils. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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Specification