Method for increasing blood flow in vessels

• US 5,934,284 A
• Filed: 03/13/1995
• Issued: 08/10/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Synectic Ventures III LLC (Synectic Asset Management, Inc.), Synectic Ventures II LLC (Synectic Asset Management, Inc.), Synectic Ventures I LLC (Synectic Asset Management, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Endovascular Instruments, Inc.
• Inventors: Plaia, Mark, Nordgren, Gregory N., Reger, Vincent A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Prebilic, Paul B.
• Application Number:
  US08/402,789
• Time in Patent Office: 1,611 Days
• Field of Search: 128/898, 623/1, 606/159, 606/191, 606/194, 606/195
• US Class Current: 128/898
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00008 Vein tendon strippers tube strippers A61M1/83
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/064 Surgical staples, i.e. penetrating the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/22012 in direct contact with, or very close to, the obstruction or concrement for removing obstructions in blood vessels by laser A61B18/245
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320725 with radially expandable cutting or abrading elements A61B17/32075 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32075 Pullback cutting; combined forward and pullback cutting, e.g. with cutters at both sides of the plaque
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320758 with a rotating cutting instrument, e.g. motor driven A61B17/320725, A61B17/32075 and A61B17/320783 take precedence; for removing intra-ocular material A61F9/00763; endoscopic rotatable cutting instruments A61B17/32002
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/245 for removing obstructions in blood vessels or calculi
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22002 preventing restenosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22051 with an inflatable part, e.g. balloon, for positioning, blocking, or immobilisation A61B2017/22048, A61B2017/3486 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320741 for stripping the intima or the internal plaque from a blood vessel, e.g. for endarterectomy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/062 penetration depth
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/06 Blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/07 Stent-grafts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/848 having means for fixation to the vessel wall, e.g. barbs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/86 Stents in a form characterised by the wire-like elements; Stents in the form characterised by a net-like or mesh-like structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/954 for placing stents or stent-grafts in a bifurcation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/958 Inflatable balloons for placing stents or stent-grafts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/065 Y-shaped blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/075 the stent being loosely attached to the graft material, e.g. by stitching
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/09183 having tools at the distal tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/104 : used for angioplasty
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 623/902 : Method of implanting

Abstract

A method of enlarging the lumen of a vessel is disclosed, by which an access opening or passageway is provided to the vessel, a head is inserted through the opening and advanced to a constriction within the vessel. The head engages, severs, and removes plaque. A vascular graft lining is inserted into the vessel and to the site of enlargement where it is secured within the vessel at the site of enlargement.

Claims

1. A method of treating an artery, comprising the steps of:

enlarging the lumen size of a plaque-ridden segment of an artery using a plaque-removing instrument introduced through an arteriotomy;

clamping a vascular lining to a clamping instrument so that at least a substantial portion of an exterior surface of the lining is exposed;

jointly inserting the lining and the clamping instrument into the artery through the arteriotomy to a position at least in part co-extensive with a portion of the segment;

securing the vascular lining within said artery at said location.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the enlarging step comprises enlarging the lumen within the artery by performing plaque-removing angioplasty.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the enlarging step comprises first loosening and thereafter removing plaque through the arteriotomy.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein the enlarging step comprises cutting plaque.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein the enlarging step comprises chipping plaque.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein the enlarging step comprises grinding plaque.

7. A method according to claim 1 wherein the enlarging step comprises applying laser energy to the plaque.

9. A method according to claim 1 wherein the enlarging step comprises applying ultrasound energy to disconnect plaque from the segment.

10. A method according to claim 1 wherein the enlarging step comprises excising pieces of plaque from the artery through the arteriotomy.

11. A method according to claim 1 wherein the enlarging step comprises grasping and tearing pieces of plaque from the artery.

8. A method of treating an artery, comprising the steps of:

enlarging the lumen size of a plaque-ridden segment of an artery comprising axially cutting and removing both plaque and a portion of the interior of the artery;

placing a vascular lining within the artery at least in part co-extensive with a portion of the segment;

securing the vascular lining within said artery at said location.