×

Angioplasty apparatus facilitating rapid exchange and method

  • US 5,501,227 A
  • Filed: 09/17/1993
  • Issued: 03/26/1996
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/15/1986
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
Patent Images

1. An elongated ultrasound imaging catheter which is adapted to be inserted over a guidewire through a patient'"'"'s blood vessel to perform diagnostic procedures therein, comprising:

  • a) an elongated catheter body having an inner lumen extending therethrough, a proximal portion which is adapted to extend out of the patient, and a distal portion which is adapted to be disposed entirely within the patient'"'"'s vascular system during diagnostic procedures and which has a transition region with a proximal port therein opening to the exterior of the catheter and located at least 10 centimeters proximally from a distal port in the distal tip of the catheter body and a substantial distance distally from the proximal portion of the catheter body which extends out of the patient;

    b) an ultrasound imaging device at the distal portion of the catheter body which is distal to the proximal port; and

    c) an open ended tubular member fixed with respect to the catheter body and having an inner lumen which is substantially shorter than the catheter body, which is disposed substantially in its entirety within the distal portion of the catheter body and which extends proximally within the catheter body from the distal port at the distal tip of the catheter body to the proximal port in the transition region, said inner lumen of the tubular member adapted to slidably receive a guidewire therein so that a distal portion of the guidewire extends distally out of the distal port and a proximal portion thereof extends proximally out of the proximal port to the exterior of the catheter body and generally parallel and exteriorly to the catheter body over most of the length of the guidewire and out of the patient.

View all claims
  • 0 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×