Rapid exchange bias laser catheter design
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- positioning a catheter within a vessel, wherein the catheter comprises;
a catheter body having a central axis, a proximal end and a distal end, the catheter body having a lumen disposed between the proximal end and the distal end, the lumen having an opening at the distal end;
a light guide having a proximal end and a distal end, the light guide being at least partially disposed within the lumen and movable therein, wherein the light guide is coupled to a laser;
a tip distally extending from the distal end of the catheter body;
a retaining wire coupled with the tip and slidably positioned with the light guide; and
a balloon positioned within the opening;
inflating the balloon, wherein the balloon cooperates with the retaining wire to adjust the distal end of the light guide into a position substantially parallel with the tip of the catheter body; and
activating the laser to ablate material within the vessel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of a balloon biasing laser catheter are provided. In some embodiments, the laser catheter may include a distal tip that extends from the distal end of the catheter from a point near the light guide aperture. The distal tip may be disposed at the periphery of the catheter. In some embodiments, a balloon may be disposed between the light guide aperture and the distal tip, such that the a light guide extending from the aperture may be disposed proximate with the distal tip having the balloon in between. A retaining wire may be coupled with the distal tip and slidably coupled with the light guide. The retaining wire may keep the light guide biased relatively parallel with the distal tip and/or the catheter body when the balloon is inflated. The light guide may include a guidewire lumen the extends to the distal end of the distal tip.
107 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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positioning a catheter within a vessel, wherein the catheter comprises; a catheter body having a central axis, a proximal end and a distal end, the catheter body having a lumen disposed between the proximal end and the distal end, the lumen having an opening at the distal end; a light guide having a proximal end and a distal end, the light guide being at least partially disposed within the lumen and movable therein, wherein the light guide is coupled to a laser; a tip distally extending from the distal end of the catheter body; a retaining wire coupled with the tip and slidably positioned with the light guide; and a balloon positioned within the opening; inflating the balloon, wherein the balloon cooperates with the retaining wire to adjust the distal end of the light guide into a position substantially parallel with the tip of the catheter body; and activating the laser to ablate material within the vessel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification