Method and apparatus for crossing intravascular occlusions
First Claim
1. An apparatus for crossing occlusions in a body lumen, comprising:
- an outer catheter shaft with at least one axial lumen therethrough, wherein the outer catheter shaft comprises a distal end having an outer diameter;
an inner catheter shaft having an average diameter slidably disposed in the at least one axial lumen of the outer catheter shaft, wherein the inner catheter shaft comprises, at least one axial lumen therethrough; and
an atraumatic, tapered protuberance comprising a distal end and a proximal end, wherein a diameter of the atraumatic, tapered protuberance tapers upward from the average diameter at the distal end to a greatest diameter at the proximal end;
a guidewire slidably disposed in the at least one axial lumen of the inner catheter shaft, wherein the guidewire is advanced through the body lumen into the occlusion; and
wherein the outer catheter shaft can be advanced distally to closely approach the proximal end of the atraumatic, tapered protuberance such that the outer catheter shaft and the inner catheter shaft present a relatively smooth tapering surface to the occlusion such that the outer catheter shaft may enter the occlusion.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for treating occlusions. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises an outer catheter shaft with at least one axial lumen therethrough, wherein the outer catheter shaft comprises a distal end having an outer diameter, and an inner catheter shaft having an average diameter slidably disposed in the at least one axial lumen of the outer catheter shaft. The inner catheter shaft comprises at least one axial lumen therethrough, and an a traumatic, tapered protuberance comprising a distal end and a proximal end, wherein a diameter of the a traumatic, tapered protuberance tapers upward from the average diameter at the distal end to a greatest diameter at the proximal end. The embodiment further comprises a guidewire slidably disposed in the at least one axial lumen of the inner catheter shaft, wherein the guidewire is advanced through the body lumen into the occlusion. When the outer catheter shaft is advanced distally to closely approach the proximal end of the atraumatic, tapered protuberance, the outer catheter shaft and the inner catheter shaft present a relatively smooth tapering surface to the occlusion such that the outer catheter shaft may enter the occlusion.
221 Citations
12 Claims
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1. An apparatus for crossing occlusions in a body lumen, comprising:
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an outer catheter shaft with at least one axial lumen therethrough, wherein the outer catheter shaft comprises a distal end having an outer diameter;
an inner catheter shaft having an average diameter slidably disposed in the at least one axial lumen of the outer catheter shaft, wherein the inner catheter shaft comprises, at least one axial lumen therethrough; and
an atraumatic, tapered protuberance comprising a distal end and a proximal end, wherein a diameter of the atraumatic, tapered protuberance tapers upward from the average diameter at the distal end to a greatest diameter at the proximal end;
a guidewire slidably disposed in the at least one axial lumen of the inner catheter shaft, wherein the guidewire is advanced through the body lumen into the occlusion; and
wherein the outer catheter shaft can be advanced distally to closely approach the proximal end of the atraumatic, tapered protuberance such that the outer catheter shaft and the inner catheter shaft present a relatively smooth tapering surface to the occlusion such that the outer catheter shaft may enter the occlusion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
a spirally wound coil about a distal section of the guidewire;
at least one taper; and
an atraumatic distal cap at a distal end of the guidewire.
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9. A method of treating an occlusion in a body lumen comprising:
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advancing a guidewire of an apparatus into the body lumen and into the occlusion;
advancing an inner catheter shaft distally over the guidewire until an atraumatic, tapered protrusion of the inner catheter shaft contacts the occlusion;
advancing an outer catheter shaft distally over the inner catheter shaft until a distal end of the outer catheter shaft closely approaches a proximal end of the atraumatic, tapered protrusion such that the outer catheter shaft and the guidewire present a relatively smooth tapering surface to the occlusion;
applying a proximal biasing force to the inner catheter shaft so as to maintain the distal end of the outer catheter shaft in close proximity to the proximal end of the atraumatic, tapered protrusion; and
simultaneously advancing the inner catheter shaft and the outer catheter shaft through the occlusion. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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Specification