Embolectomy catheter

• US 6,036,717 A
• Filed: 06/23/1998
• Issued: 03/14/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: David Y. Phelps
• Original Assignee: Louisville Laboratories., Inc.
• Inventors: Mers Kelly, William C., Phelps, David Y.
• Primary Examiner(s): Buiz, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shai, Daphna
• Application Number:
  US09/103,211
• Time in Patent Office: 630 Days
• Field of Search: 606/108, 606/191, 606/198, 606/199, 606/200, 606/159
• US Class Current: 606/200
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/22031 Gripping instruments, e.g. forceps, for removing or smashing calculi A61B17/221 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/22032 having inflatable gripping elements balloon catheters A61M25/10
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320725 with radially expandable cutting or abrading elements A61B17/32075 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22082 after introduction of a substance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/064 for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/1004 Balloons with folds, e.g. folded or multifolded
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/109 having balloons for removing solid matters, e.g. by grasping or scraping plaque, thrombus or other matters that obstruct the flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/10 Balloon catheters A61M25/0125 takes precedence; embolectomy A61B17/22032; retractors A61B17/02; inflatable balloons for placing stents or stent-grafts A61F2/958 ; stomach balloons for treatment of obesity A61F5/0003; oesophagal tubes A61J15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/1002 characterised by balloon shape A61M25/1006, A61M25/1009 take precedence

Abstract

The present invention comprises an embolectomy catheter for the removal of an embolus within a vessel of a patient, including a catheter shaft having a distal end with a diametrically adjustable hinged compartment thereat. The catheter shaft has a proximal end with a handle attached thereon. A longitudinally displaceable cannula is connected to the distal end of the catheter shaft and to a slidable tab in the handle, to permit controlled adjustment of the diametric size of the hinged compartment arranged adjacent the distal end of the catheter when the slidable tab is moved relative to the handle, to allow a physician to open the compartment to any desired size relative to a patient'"'"'s vessel. The compartment may then be pulled through the vessel via a pull on the handle, to collect any embolus therewithin.

Claims

1. An embolectomy catheter for the removal of an emboli within a vessel of a patient, comprising:

a catheter shaft having a distal end with a diametrically adjustable hinged compartment thereat, said catheter shaft also having a proximal end;

a handle attached to said proximal end of said shaft, and,

a means for adjusting the diametric size of said hinged compartment arranged between said distal end of said catheter, and said handle, to enable said compartment to sweep any diameter body vessel as it is pulled therewithin.

2. The embolectomy catheter as recited in claim 1, wherein said handle also has a force sensing gauge thereon, to permit the amount of pull force being applied to said hinged compartment to be noted when pull tension is applied to said handle.

3. The embolectomy catheter as recited in claim 2, wherein said force sensing gauge includes a housing having indicators marked thereon, and a barrel member which is movably arranged about said housing wherein movement of said barrel member with respect to said housing permits indicators to be displayed indicating the amount of force pulling longitudinally on said handle, and hence the amount of force pulling longitudinally on said catheter shaft and said hinged compartment in a vessel being swept clear.

4. The embolectomy catheter as recited in claim 3, wherein a spring is arranged between said housing and said barrel member to provide a bias therebetween.

5. The embolectomy catheter as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for adjusting the diametric size of said hinged compartment includes an inner shaft, said inner shaft having a distal end which is attached to the distalmost end of said catheter shaft, said inner shaft having a proximal end which is attached to said handle to permit tension to be applied to said inner shaft, and hence effect a diametric change in said hinged compartment.

6. The embolectomy catheter as recited in claim 5, wherein said inner shaft is hollow, and said distal tip of said catheter shaft has a distal orifice thereat, said hollow inner shaft and said distal orifice being in communication with one another to permit a guide wire or medicaments to flow therethrough.

7. The embolectomy catheter as recited in claim 5, wherein an annular passageway is disposed between said inner shaft and said catheter shaft, to permit medicaments to be transmitted from a valve in said handle, to a discharge orifice in or adjacent to said hinged compartment in said distal end of said catheter shaft.

8. The embolectomy catheter as recited in claim 5, wherein said proximal end of said catheter shaft is attached to a longitudinally movable support member arranged in said handle.

9. The embolectomy catheter as recited in claim 8, wherein said support member has serrations on one side thereof to permit said support member to be locked into a longitudinally fixed position with respect to said handle, thus locking into a fixed position the diametrically adjustable hinged compartment.

10. The embolectomy catheter as recited in claim 9, wherein said support member has a bias member on one longitudinal side thereof, to permit said serrations on said support member to fixedly engage said handle.

11. The embolectomy catheter as recited in claim 1, wherein said catheter has a radiopaque marker band arranged distally of said hinged compartment to permit fluoroscopic locating and positioning of said hinged compartment.

12. The embolectomy catheter as recited in claim 1, wherein said catheter has a radiopaque marker band arranged proximally adjacent said hinged compartment to permit fluoroscopic locating and positioning of the distal tip of said catheter.

13. The embolectomy catheter as recited in claim 1, wherein said catheter has a radiopaque marker band arranged both proximally and distally of said hinged compartment to permit fluoroscopic confirmation of the diametric adjustment of said hinged compartment.

14. A method for performing an embolectomy procedure so as to remove an embolus from the vessel of a patient, comprising the steps of:

threading the distal end of an embolectomy catheter directly into the vessel of the patient or onto said guide wire which has been placed in the vessel of the patient, beyond the site of the embolus, said embolectomy catheter having a hinged compartment on its distal end, said embolectomy catheter having a proximal end with an adjustment means in a handle therein;

positioning said adjustment means in said handle, so as to adjust the diameter of said hinged compartment to be compatible with the diameter of the vessel being treated; and

withdrawing said catheter from the vessel by pulling longitudinally on said handle, to effect capture and removal of said embolus from the vessel by said diametrically expanded hinged compartment.

15. The method for performing an embolectomy procedure as recited in claim 14, including the step of:

injecting a medicament in a luer fitting in said handle so as to be transmitted through an annular channel in said catheter and out a distal orifice thereof and into said vessel.

16. The method for performing an embolectomy procedure as recited in claim 15, incliding the steps of:

arranging a barrel to be disposed radially about the proximal end of said handle;

securing a spring between said adjustment means and said barrel, so as to be able to meter and control the tension being applied to said hingedly adjustable compartment, when said handle is pulled proximately by pulling proximately on said barrel.

17. The method for performing an embolectomy procedure as recited in claim 16, including the step of:

applying a series of indicators on said handle so as to permit said tension to be viewed as a displacement of said barrel and said adjustment means relative to said indicators.