Method and apparatus for minimally invasive treatment of chronic venous insufficiency
First Claim
1. A catheter for delivering an appliance into a vein, the catheter comprising:
- a first elongate tubular member configured for traversing a vein of a patient;
means for securing the appliance to a distal end of said elongate tubular member;
means for removing the appliance from a distal end of said catheter, wherein said means for removing is manipulated from a proximal end of said elongate tubular member; and
means for adjustably securing the appliance to the cusp of a valve in the vein.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention is embodied in an appliance or a prosthesis and a delivery catheter for use in a vein for minimally invasive treatment of chronic venous insufficiency. The system and method of the invention eliminate the need for open surgical valve repair procedures, obviate the need for arm vein transplantation into the leg, and allow patients to return to their former active lifestyles without the limitations currently associated with the treatment of this condition. An incompetent valve to be repaired is identified by injected contrast through the delivery catheter or similar means and the catheter is positioned at that valve, a clip appliance or similar prosthesis is deployed from the catheter and affixed to the valve. Next, the delivery catheter is repositioned and appliances or prostheses are deployed on sequentially lower valves until all desired valves are repaired and functionally competent.
339 Citations
3 Claims
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1. A catheter for delivering an appliance into a vein, the catheter comprising:
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a first elongate tubular member configured for traversing a vein of a patient; means for securing the appliance to a distal end of said elongate tubular member; means for removing the appliance from a distal end of said catheter, wherein said means for removing is manipulated from a proximal end of said elongate tubular member; and means for adjustably securing the appliance to the cusp of a valve in the vein. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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Specification