Intravascular catheter system for treating a vascular occlusion
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An intravascular catheter system for treating a vascular occlusion, comprising:
- an elongated flexible catheter shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, a plurality of lumina therebetween, a proximal end zone, and a distal end zone;
a steering apparatus for steering the distal end zone of the catheter shaft;
an imaging member within the catheter shaft for acquiring an image of a vessel interior proximate the distal end of the catheter shaft, wherein the imaging member comprises an elongated flexible imaging shaft, rotatably disposed within a lumen of the catheter shaft and being capable of advancement at least to the distal end zone thereof, having a proximal end, a distal end, a proximal end zone, and a distal end zone, wherein the imaging member further comprises a hollow shaft motor and rotational encoder attached to the imaging shaft in the proximal end zone thereof for imparting rotation to and measuring rotation of the flexible imaging shaft; and
a working element disposed in the distal end zone of the catheter shaft for treating the occlusion, wherein the working element is effectively manipulable and directable at a vascular occlusion while the occlusion is imaged.
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Abstract
An intravascular catheter system for crossing a severe or total arterial occlusion includes a steerable intravascular catheter providing a working element and an optical guidance system. The optical guidance system is realized by an optical member with may include an imaging shaft that is rotated and measured by a motor/encoder assembly or which may include an optical switching device connected to a plurality of optical fibers. The working element may include a plurality of opening members that are actuated by an external plunger.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. An intravascular catheter system for treating a vascular occlusion, comprising:
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an elongated flexible catheter shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, a plurality of lumina therebetween, a proximal end zone, and a distal end zone; a steering apparatus for steering the distal end zone of the catheter shaft; an imaging member within the catheter shaft for acquiring an image of a vessel interior proximate the distal end of the catheter shaft, wherein the imaging member comprises an elongated flexible imaging shaft, rotatably disposed within a lumen of the catheter shaft and being capable of advancement at least to the distal end zone thereof, having a proximal end, a distal end, a proximal end zone, and a distal end zone, wherein the imaging member further comprises a hollow shaft motor and rotational encoder attached to the imaging shaft in the proximal end zone thereof for imparting rotation to and measuring rotation of the flexible imaging shaft; and a working element disposed in the distal end zone of the catheter shaft for treating the occlusion, wherein the working element is effectively manipulable and directable at a vascular occlusion while the occlusion is imaged. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. The intravascular catheter system for treating a vascular occlusion comprising:
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an elongated flexible catheter shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, a plurality of lumina therebetween, a proximal end zone, and a distal end zone; a steering apparatus for steering the distal end zone of the catheter shaft; an imaging member within the catheter shaft for acquiring an image of a vessel interior proximate the distal end of the catheter shaft; and a working element disposed in the distal end zone of the catheter shaft for treating the occlusion; whereby the working element is effectively manipulable and directable at a vascular occlusion while the occlusion is optically imaged, and wherein the working element comprises a plurality of opening members, each of which being projectable distally from the distal end of the catheter shaft and openable to urge apart tissues of an occlusion after being advanced into contact therewith, and wherein the working element comprises; an elongated flexible outer treatment shaft, introducible through a lumen in the catheter shaft from the proximal end zone thereof and capable of advancement to the distal end zone thereof, having a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one lumen therebetween; an elongated flexible inner treatment shaft disposed within a lumen of the outer treatment shaft and extending substantially the length thereof, having a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one lumen therebetween for allowing the introduction of a guidewire therethrough or the introduction of the treatment shafts over a guidewire; a plurality of opening members, fixed to the distal ends of the inner and outer treatment shafts, introducible through a lumen in the catheter shaft from the proximal end thereof and slidable and rotatable over a guide wire disposed therein, capable of projecting distally from the distal end of the catheter shaft, closable in a flush position for introduction over a guidewire or through the lumen and openable to urge apart tissues of an occlusion after being advanced into contact therewith; an external plunger fixed to the inner treatment shaft near the proximal end thereof; and an external grip fixed to the outer treatment shaft near the proximal end thereof; whereby the opening members are moved as the plunger is advanced or retracted with respect to the grip; and whereby the working element is effectively directable and manipulable at the vascular occlusion while the occlusion is optically imaged. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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21. An intravascular catheter system for treating a vascular occlusion, comprising:
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an elongated flexible catheter shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, a plurality of lumina therebetween, a proximal end zone, and a distal end zone; a steering apparatus for steering the distal end zone of the catheter shaft; an imaging member within the catheter shaft for acquiring an image of a vessel interior proximate the distal end of the catheter shaft; and a working element disposed in the distal end zone of the catheter shaft for treating the occlusion; whereby the working element is effectively manipulable and directable at a vascular occlusion while the occlusion is optically imaged, and wherein the catheter shaft comprises;
first, second, and third lumina between the proximal and distal ends of the catheter shaft;
a steering apparatus disposed in the first lumen for steering the distal end zone of the catheter shaft;
an imaging member disposed in the second lumen for acquiring an image of the vessel interior proximate the distal end of the catheter shaft; and
a working element disposed in the third lumen for treating the occlusion;
whereby the working element is effectively manipulable and directable at the vascular occlusion while the occlusion is optically imaged, and wherein the working element comprises;an elongated flexible outer treatment shaft, introducible through a lumen in the catheter shaft from the proximal end zone thereof and capable of advancement to the distal end zone thereof, having a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one lumen therebetween; an elongated flexible inner treatment shaft disposed within a lumen of the outer treatment shaft and extending substantially the length thereof, having a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one lumen therebetween for allowing the introduction of a guidewire therethrough or the introduction of the treatment shafts over a guidewire; a plurality of opening members, fixed to the distal ends of the inner and outer treatment shafts, introducible through a lumen in the catheter shaft from the proximal end thereof and slidable and rotatable over a guide wire disposed therein, capable of projecting distally from the distal end of the catheter shaft, closable in a flush position for introduction over a guidewire or through the lumen and openable to urge apart the tissues of an occlusion after being advanced into contact therewith; an external plunger fixed to the inner treatment shaft near the proximal end thereof; and an external grip fixed to the outer treatment shaft near the proximal end thereof; whereby the opening members are moved as the plunger is advanced or retracted with respect to the grip; and whereby the working element is effectively directable and manipulable at the vascular occlusion while the occlusion is optically imaged. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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Specification