Apparatus and method for controlled removal of stenotic material from stents
First Claim
1. A method for removing stenotic material from within a stent located within a body vessel, said method comprising:
- operating a stenotic material removal mechanism to remove stenotic material from within the stent;
sensing proximity or contact between said stenotic material removal mechanism and the stent using a non-imaging sensor; and
determining an appropriate endpoint for removal of stenotic material from within the stent based on the sensed proximity or contact between said stenotic material removal mechanism and the stent for effective recanalization of the body vessel.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for treating in-stent restenosis are described for removing stenotic material from within previously stented regions of a patient'"'"'s vasculature. The apparatus includes a catheter system having a stenotic material removal mechanism mounted on a distal portion of an elongated inner catheter. A sensing means, such as one or more sensing electrodes, are positioned on an outer surface of the apparatus. In addition, the apparatus optionally includes control means for diametrically expanding the stenotic material removal mechanism for effective recanalization of the stent. A coaxial outer catheter is provided for aspirating stenotic material which is removed from within the stent. In addition, embolic filter apparatus are described for collecting the stenotic material removed from within the stent. The methods comprise operating the stenotic material removal mechanism within a body vessel, typically a coronary artery or other artery, which has become restenosed or otherwise occluded following the initial stent placement, and sensing the proximity or contact between the stenotic material removal mechanism and the stent within the arterial wall so that the stenosis can be effectively recanalized without damaging the stent. The sensing means may be used to indicate an unsafe condition that might lead to stent damage, in response to which, the stenotic material removal mechanism may be manually or automatically deactivated.
1163 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method for removing stenotic material from within a stent located within a body vessel, said method comprising:
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operating a stenotic material removal mechanism to remove stenotic material from within the stent; sensing proximity or contact between said stenotic material removal mechanism and the stent using a non-imaging sensor; and determining an appropriate endpoint for removal of stenotic material from within the stent based on the sensed proximity or contact between said stenotic material removal mechanism and the stent for effective recanalization of the body vessel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for removing stenotic material from within a stent located within a body vessel, said method comprising:
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engaging a stenotic material removal mechanism to remove a portion of stenotic material from within the stent; expanding the stenotic material removal mechanism to remove additional portions of the stenotic material; and limiting the expansion of the stenotic material removal mechanism when or before the stenotic material removal mechanism engages the stent. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification