Methods for reducing distal embolization

• US 7,033,344 B2
• Filed: 08/05/2002
• Issued: 04/25/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Vascular, Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Vascular, Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Imran, Mir A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lucchesi, Nicholas D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILLIAMS, CATHERINE SERKE
• Application Number:
  US10/212,830
• Publication Number:
  US 20030055398A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,359 Days
• Field of Search: 604/28, 604/35, 604/500, 604/506, 604/507, 604/508, 604/509, 604/510, 604/96.01, 604/104, 604/532, 604/907, 604/912, 606/159, 606/194
• US Class Current: 604/507
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/22 Implements for squeezing-off ulcers or the like on the inside of inner organs of the body; Implements for scraping-out cavities of body organs, e.g. bones; Calculus removers; Calculus smashing apparatus; Apparatus for removing obstructions in blood vessels, not otherwise provided for dilators A61M29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/245 for removing obstructions in blood vessels or calculi
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22067 Blocking; Occlusion A61B2017/22054 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22084 stone- or thrombus-dissolving
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/09183 having tools at the distal tip
• 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 2025/1052 for temporarily occluding a vessel for isolating a sector
• 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

A method for reducing distal embolization during insertion of devices to treat plaque, thrombi and other intravascular occlusions. Using a guide catheter, a guidewire is delivered to a site proximal to the lesion. An aspiration catheter is then introduced over the guidewire, and the two are moved together in a distal to proximal direction across the occlusion. The aspiration catheter is then moved in a proximal to distal direction while continuously aspirating, which prevents embolization of any particles which may be created during the crossing of the guidewire.

Claims

1. A method for the treatment of an occlusion in a blood vessel, comprising:

prior to performing any therapeutic procedure for treating the occlusion, crossing the occlusion with a guidewire while aspirating blood, so that blood flows past the occlusion; and

performing a therapeutic procedure other than aspirating for treating the occlusion after crossing the occlusion with the guidewire.

2. The method of claim 1, comprising aspirating while crossing said occlusion with the guidewire in a proximal to distal direction.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein a therapy catheter is used for performing the therapeutic procedure.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the therapy catheter is advanced along the guidewire to the occlusion.

3. A method for treating a stenosis in a vessel, comprising:

delivering a guidewire and a first catheter having a proximal end and a distal end into the vessel to a location near the stenosis, wherein when the first catheter and guidewire are both delivered, the guidewire extends through a lumen of the first catheter and the distal end of the first catheter is located proximal to the stenosis;

aspirating particles through the lumen of the first catheter prior to performing any therapeutic procedure for treating the occlusion;

after aspirating, delivering a therapy catheter to a location near the stenosis; and

performing treatment on the stenosis using the therapy catheter.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the first catheter is an aspiration catheter.

5. The method of claim 3, further comprising activating an occlusive device on the distal end of the aspiration catheter proximal to the occlusion.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the occlusive device is a balloon.

7. The method of claim 3, wherein the therapy catheter is delivered through the first catheter.

8. The method of claim 3, wherein the therapy catheter includes a balloon disposed at a distal end thereof.

9. The method of claim 3, wherein the therapy catheter is an atherectomy catheter.

10. The method of claim 3, wherein the therapy catheter is a stent deploying catheter.

11. The method of claim 3, further comprising delivering the guidewire until a distal end thereof is distal to the stenosis.

12. The method of claim 3, wherein the first catheter is delivered over the guidewire.

13. The method of claim 3, wherein the first catheter is delivered along with the guidewire.

14. The method of claim 3, further comprising deploying an occlusive device distal to the stenosis before performing treatment on the stenosis with the therapy catheter.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the occlusive device is a balloon.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising removing the guidewire from the vessel prior to deploying the occlusive device.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the occlusive device is provided on a second catheter delivered through the first catheter.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the second catheter is delivered over the guidewire.

19. The method of claim 3, wherein the vessel is a carotid artery.

22. A method for the treatment of an occlusion in a blood vessel, comprising:

delivering a guidewire into the blood vessel to a location proximal to the occlusion;

delivering an aspiration catheter over the guidewire;

prior to performing any therapeutic procedure for treating the occlusion, advancing the guidewire across the occlusion while aspirating blood from the blood vessel through the aspiration catheter such that blood flows across the occlusion; and

performing a therapeutic procedure other than aspirating on the occlusion after crossing the occlusion with the guidewire.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the therapeutic procedure comprises treating the occlusion with a therapy catheter.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the therapy catheter is advanced along the guidewire to the occlusion.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the therapy catheter is an inflatable balloon configured for compressing an occlusion forming material along a sidewall of the vessel.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein the therapy catheter is an atherectomy device configured for removing the occlusion.