Methods and apparatus for crossing vascular occlusions
First Claim
1. A method for crossing a substantially occluded blood vessel, said method comprising:
- selecting a guidewire with a deflectable distal tip configured for advancement within a lumen of a blood vessel wall;
creating a longitudinal dissection plane within a wall the blood vessel by inserting the guidewire into blood vessel wall from within the blood vessel lumen at a proximal location relative to a vascular occlusion;
forming a channel along the dissection plane within the blood vessel wall by advancing the guidewire within the blood vessel wall in a relatively distal direction; and
selectively deflecting the distal tip of the guidewire at a relatively distal location relative to the proximal location back into the blood vessel lumen.
13 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for crossing totally to substantially occluded blood vessels by passing a redirectable wire such as a guidewire from a relatively proximal point past the occlusion within a subintimal space formed between the intimal layer and the adventitial layer of a blood vessel wall. The wire may be advanced to a point distal to the occlusion, and thereafter deflected back into the blood vessel lumen, typically using a deflecting catheter which is advanced over the guidewire after it has been positioned within the subintimal space. The deflecting catheter may include a flapper valve assembly or preformed actuator wire for redirecting the guidewire. After the guidewire is returned to the blood vessel lumen, the deflecting catheter may be withdrawn, and the guidewire may be available for introduction of other interventional and diagnostic catheters for performing procedures such as stenting.
553 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A method for crossing a substantially occluded blood vessel, said method comprising:
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selecting a guidewire with a deflectable distal tip configured for advancement within a lumen of a blood vessel wall;
creating a longitudinal dissection plane within a wall the blood vessel by inserting the guidewire into blood vessel wall from within the blood vessel lumen at a proximal location relative to a vascular occlusion;
forming a channel along the dissection plane within the blood vessel wall by advancing the guidewire within the blood vessel wall in a relatively distal direction; and
selectively deflecting the distal tip of the guidewire at a relatively distal location relative to the proximal location back into the blood vessel lumen. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification