Method for using detachable tip valvulotome
First Claim
1. A method for cutting venous valves in-situ within a vein, comprising the steps of:
- making an entry opening into the vein;
connecting a first cutting head having first and second cutting blades and a proximal segment having a plurality of portions to a pushing member by;
urging the blades toward each other to cause the portions to move away from each other;
advancing the cutting head onto the pushing member;
releasing the blades to permit the blades to move away from each other, thereby causing the portions of the cutting head to engage the pushing member;
operably engaging the pushing member with an optical scope;
advancing the pushing member into the vein through the opening in a direction opposite to normal venous blood flow to cut the venous valves with the cutting head and to generate an image of the inside of the vein;
removing the pushing member from the vein;
disconnecting the first cutting head from the pushing member without substantially damaging the first cutting head and pushing member; and
connecting a second cutting head to the pushing member without substantially damaging the second cutting head and pushing member.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An optical valvulotome having a replaceable blade head for in situ cutting of venous valves has a catheter that can be pushed through a vein. An anchor is attached to the catheter, and a cutting head can be releasably engaged with the anchor to cut the valves as the catheter is pushed through the vein. The cutting head has two spaced apart cutting blades that form a light passageway between the blades. An optical fiber is disposed in the catheter for collecting light from the light passageway between the blades, and the optical fiber is engaged with a display apparatus for displaying a video image of the blades and vein as the catheter is pushed through the vein. The catheter can be retrieved from the vein, and the cutting head easily disconnected from the anchor and replaced with another cutting head having a size larger or smaller than the first head, as appropriate for the changing width of the lumen of the vein.
43 Citations
1 Claim
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1. A method for cutting venous valves in-situ within a vein, comprising the steps of:
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making an entry opening into the vein; connecting a first cutting head having first and second cutting blades and a proximal segment having a plurality of portions to a pushing member by; urging the blades toward each other to cause the portions to move away from each other; advancing the cutting head onto the pushing member; releasing the blades to permit the blades to move away from each other, thereby causing the portions of the cutting head to engage the pushing member; operably engaging the pushing member with an optical scope; advancing the pushing member into the vein through the opening in a direction opposite to normal venous blood flow to cut the venous valves with the cutting head and to generate an image of the inside of the vein; removing the pushing member from the vein; disconnecting the first cutting head from the pushing member without substantially damaging the first cutting head and pushing member; and connecting a second cutting head to the pushing member without substantially damaging the second cutting head and pushing member.
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Specification