Catheter system with balloon-mounted plaque-modifying elements
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A plaque-modifying catheter system comprising:
- a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end and an intermediate section therebetween;
an inner lumen between the proximal and distal ends through which a medical device or fluid may pass without interruption or interference;
an expandable balloon located between the proximal and distal ends of the catheter and circumscribing at least the intermediate section of the catheter, the balloon receiving a pressurizing fluid between the catheter and the balloon which causes the balloon to inflate, the balloon having an outer surface; and
an assembly of plaque-modifying elements mounted on at least a part of the outer surface of the balloon, wherein the plaque-modifying elements are separated from each other before, during, and after balloon expansion, thereby creating an array of weakened areas in a vessel wall when the plaque-modifying elements are urged into contact with the vessel wall by the pressurizing fluid inflating the outer surface of the balloon and the plaque-modifying elements impinging on the vessel wall, thereby fracturing hardened tissue and creating the weakened areas therein, at least some of the plaque-modifying elements having a tip situated atop a plaque-modifying element, the tip having a cross section geometry selected from the group consisting of, an oval, a circle, a dome, an ellipse, an “
x”
shape, a star shape and a “
y”
shape.
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Abstract
A plaque-modifying balloon and method for use in an endovascular procedure includes an elongated balloon that defines a longitudinal axis and is inflatable from a first deflated configuration to a second radially expanded configuration. One or more plaque-modifying elements are mounted on the outside of the inflatable balloon. Optionally, a compressible sheath made of a relatively low durometer, flexible material is mounted on the balloon to cover the elements during transit of the plaque-modifying balloon to and from the treatment site.
37 Citations
3 Claims
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1. A plaque-modifying catheter system comprising:
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a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end and an intermediate section therebetween; an inner lumen between the proximal and distal ends through which a medical device or fluid may pass without interruption or interference; an expandable balloon located between the proximal and distal ends of the catheter and circumscribing at least the intermediate section of the catheter, the balloon receiving a pressurizing fluid between the catheter and the balloon which causes the balloon to inflate, the balloon having an outer surface; and an assembly of plaque-modifying elements mounted on at least a part of the outer surface of the balloon, wherein the plaque-modifying elements are separated from each other before, during, and after balloon expansion, thereby creating an array of weakened areas in a vessel wall when the plaque-modifying elements are urged into contact with the vessel wall by the pressurizing fluid inflating the outer surface of the balloon and the plaque-modifying elements impinging on the vessel wall, thereby fracturing hardened tissue and creating the weakened areas therein, at least some of the plaque-modifying elements having a tip situated atop a plaque-modifying element, the tip having a cross section geometry selected from the group consisting of, an oval, a circle, a dome, an ellipse, an “
x”
shape, a star shape and a “
y”
shape. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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Specification