Embolic protection device having expandable trap

• US 6,443,926 B1
• Filed: 02/01/2000
• Issued: 09/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Harold D. Kletschka
• Original Assignee: Harold D. Kletschka
• Inventors: Kletschka, Harold D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Huson, Gregory L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TUAN N
• Application Number:
  US09/495,833
• Time in Patent Office: 945 Days
• Field of Search: 604/96.01, 604/104-109, 606/200, 606/198, 606/194, 606/191, 606/159
• US Class Current: 604/96.01
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/22032 having inflatable gripping elements balloon catheters A61M25/10
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/221 Gripping devices in the form of loops or baskets for gripping calculi or similar types of obstructions surgical snare instruments A61B17/32056
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2212 having a closed distal end, e.g. a loop
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/1015 having two or more independently movable balloons where the distance between the balloons can be adjusted, e.g. two balloon catheters concentric to each other forming an adjustable multiple balloon catheter system
• 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 2025/1093 having particular tip characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/104 used for angioplasty

Abstract

An angioplasty device and particle trap for use in medical, veterinary, non-medical or industrial applications where removal of an obstruction from a small diameter vessel or vessel-like structure could produce particles, which, if allowed to remain in the vessel, could cause undesirable complications and results. One angioplasty device embodiment comprises a catheter for insertion into a vessel-like structure and a trap operably connected to the catheter and to a rotatable member. Rotating the rotatable member relative to the catheter actuates the trap. One particle trap embodiment comprises a rotatable member that actuates a flexible strut between an arcuately expanded position and a helically twisted position, and a membrane operably connected to the flexible strut.

Claims

1. A device for acting on an obstruction in a vessel-like structure, the device comprising:

a catheter for insertion into the vessel-like structure, the catheter having a suction lumen;

an operative member operably connected to the catheter and adapted to remove or compress the obstruction;

a plurality of flexible struts connected to the catheter and to a guidewire, whereby rotation of the guidewire relative to the catheter twists the plurality of flexible struts between an arcuately expanded position and a helically twisted position;

a membrane operably connected to the plurality of flexible struts to define a trap;

at least one suction aperture operably connected to the suction lumen; and

a valve located in the suction lumen for controlling a suction force at the suction aperture.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the operative member is a balloon and further wherein the catheter includes an inflation lumen in operable communication with the balloon.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the inflation lumen terminates at an opening located near a proximal end of the balloon.

4. The device of claim 2 wherein the suction lumen and the inflation lumen are disposed coaxially within the catheter.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the operative member is a second catheter with a balloon, the second catheter adapted for insertion into the vessel-like structure over the catheter.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the plurality of struts are constructed from Nitinol.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the catheter is constructed from nylon.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the catheter is constructed from a polymer.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein the vessel-like structure is a human blood vessel.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein the trap is actuated by a combination of relative translational motion and relative rotational motion between the catheter and the guidewire.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein the catheter has a diameter of about five French or less.

12. The device of claim 1 wherein the suction lumen has a cross-sectional area of at least about 0.0005 square inches.

13. The device of claim 1 wherein the vessel-like structure is a human coronary artery.

14. The device of claim 1 wherein the vessel-like structure is a human carotid artery.

15. The device of claim 1 further including a fist ring coupled to a distal portion of the guidewire, and wherein the plurality of struts are connected to the first ring and secured by a second ring.

16. The device of claim 1 wherein the guidewire bas a diameter that tapers from a large diameter at a proximal end to a smaller diameter at a distal end.