Apparatus and method for controlled removal of stenotic material from stents
First Claim
1. An apparatus for removing stenotic material from within a stent located within a body vessel, said apparatus comprising:
- a stenotic material removal mechanism for removing stenotic material from within the stent, the stenotic material removal mechanism carrying an electrical current; and
sensor means associated with said stenotic material removal mechanism for sensing current flow between said stenotic material removal mechanism and the stent, whereby the sensed presence of current flow is an indication of an unsafe condition or 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.
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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. Alternatively or additionally, the sensing means may be used to indicate an appropriate endpoint for the stenotic material removal process.
516 Citations
41 Claims
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1. An apparatus for removing stenotic material from within a stent located within a body vessel, said apparatus comprising:
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a stenotic material removal mechanism for removing stenotic material from within the stent, the stenotic material removal mechanism carrying an electrical current; and
sensor means associated with said stenotic material removal mechanism for sensing current flow between said stenotic material removal mechanism and the stent, whereby the sensed presence of current flow is an indication of an unsafe condition or 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, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. An apparatus for removing stenotic material from within a stent located within a body vessel, said apparatus comprising:
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a catheter shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, a stenotic material removal mechanism, adapted to carry an electrical current; and
means coupled to the stenotic material removal mechanism for increasing a depth to which the stenotic material removal mechanism removes the stenotic material from within the stent, wherein said means is limited to prevent further increase in depth when response to sensing of current flow between the stenotic material removal mechanism and the stent. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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Specification