Laser extractor for an implanted object
First Claim
1. A device for removing an object from the venous system comprising:
- an elongated catheter having a distal end and a proximal end, said catheter having a tubular portion;
a lumen in said catheter so that said object may be introduced into said lumen;
at least one optical fiber supported by said tubular portion, said optical fiber extending to a region proximate said distal end of said catheter, said distal end having a guard assembly, said guard assembly comprising a guard band positioned about an exterior surface of said elongated catheter and a guard ring positioned about an interior surface of said elongated catheter, said optical fiber extending between said guard band and said guard ring, said optical fiber having a distal end, said guard assembly having a distal end, said optical fiber distal end is spaced proximally from said guard assembly distal end; and
a source of laser energy communicating with said optical fiber so that said light energy will be transmitted to said region proximate said distal end of said catheter.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A lead extraction device which utilizes laser light to separate an implanted object, such as a pacemaker lead, from fibrous scar tissue and thereby permit the implanted object to be extracted from a body. The extraction device features a catheter having a central lumen. The lumen is preferably dimensioned so a pacemaker lead will fit within. The catheter is thereby guided by the lead. The catheter has at least one optical fiber to emit laser light from the distal end and thereby separate the lead from fibrous scar tissue. Disclosed embodiments include catheters which emit light parallel as well as inwardly perpendicular to the catheter and the lead. Through such catheters the lead may be separated along its length, as well as separated at its distal end from fibrous scar tissue, thereby permitting the lead to be readily extracted from the body.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A device for removing an object from the venous system comprising:
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an elongated catheter having a distal end and a proximal end, said catheter having a tubular portion; a lumen in said catheter so that said object may be introduced into said lumen; at least one optical fiber supported by said tubular portion, said optical fiber extending to a region proximate said distal end of said catheter, said distal end having a guard assembly, said guard assembly comprising a guard band positioned about an exterior surface of said elongated catheter and a guard ring positioned about an interior surface of said elongated catheter, said optical fiber extending between said guard band and said guard ring, said optical fiber having a distal end, said guard assembly having a distal end, said optical fiber distal end is spaced proximally from said guard assembly distal end; and a source of laser energy communicating with said optical fiber so that said light energy will be transmitted to said region proximate said distal end of said catheter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 25)
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10. A method for removing an implanted object affixed to a body by fibrous scar tissue comprising the steps of:
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introducing a catheter having a lumen and at least one optical fiber into said venous system, said catheter further having a distal end having a guard assembly, said guard assembly comprising a guard band positioned about an exterior surface of said catheter and a guard ring positioned about an interior surface of said catheter, said optical fiber having a distal end, said guard assembly having a distal end, said optical fiber distal end is spaced proximally from said guard assembly distal end; positioning said implanted object within said lumen of said catheter; positioning said distal end of said catheter proximate said fibrous scar tissue; transmitting laser energy through said optical fiber to said fibrous scar tissue immediately adjacent said distal end; and removing said object from said venous system.
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11. A method for removing an implanted object affixed by fibrous scar tissue in a body comprising the steps of:
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providing a catheter body having a tubular portion supporting at least one optical fiber, said optical fiber having a distal end, said catheter body having a lumen therethrough, said catheter further having a distal end having a guard assembly, said guard assembly comprising a guard band positioned about an exterior surface of said catheter and a guard ring positioned about an interior surface of said catheter, said guard band having a distal end, said optical fiber distal end is spaced proximally from said guard band distal end; placing the catheter body around said implanted object; moving said catheter body along said implanted object until a distal end of said catheter body is positioned adjacent fibrous scar tissue which affixes said implanted object; energizing a laser connected to said optical fiber to cause laser energy to be emitted into said fibrous scar tissue immediately adjacent said distal end; moving the catheter body along said implanted object as the fibrous scar tissue releases said implanted object; and removing said implanted object from said venous system. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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26. The device of claim I wherein said guard band has a distal end, said distal end has a taper.
Specification