Method and apparatus for centering a microcatheter within a vasculature
First Claim
1. A catheter apparatus for arterial vasculature comprising:
- a hollow shaft with a distal end, a proximal end and a single hollow lumen, anda non-implantable, non-occluding self-expandable scaffold having a central longitudinal axis, and a distal end and a proximal end, the self-expandable scaffold being disposed at the distal end of the catheter, wherein a portion of the distal end of the catheter is disposed at least in part inside the self-expandable scaffold,wherein the proximal end of the scaffold is permanently affixed to the shaft and the distal end of the scaffold is configured to be slidable along the shaft, andwherein the scaffold is configured to be coupled to the distal end of the catheter, wherein at least a portion of the distal end of the catheter is disposed substantially along the central axis of the self-expandable scaffold such that when the scaffold is in an expanded state the hollow lumen is centered in the vasculature.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention is directed to methods and apparatus for centering a microcatheter within a vasculature. In one aspect, the methods and apparatus can be used to support centering and to facilitate a guidewire to cross through a chronic total occlusion. In one embodiment, the catheter apparatus includes: a microcatheter having a lumen, a distal opening and a distal end; one or more guidewires for passing through the lumen of the microcatheter; an inner shaft having a lumen, a distal opening and a distal end for passing the inner shaft over the microcatheter; an outer shaft having a lumen, a distal opening and a distal end for passing the outer shaft over the inner shaft; and a self-expandable scaffold structure disposed towards the distal end of the inner shaft. The self-expandable scaffold structure is preferably non-occluding thereby allowing blood to flow through the scaffold. Preferably, the inner shaft and microcatheter are capable of being independently operable.
144 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A catheter apparatus for arterial vasculature comprising:
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a hollow shaft with a distal end, a proximal end and a single hollow lumen, and a non-implantable, non-occluding self-expandable scaffold having a central longitudinal axis, and a distal end and a proximal end, the self-expandable scaffold being disposed at the distal end of the catheter, wherein a portion of the distal end of the catheter is disposed at least in part inside the self-expandable scaffold, wherein the proximal end of the scaffold is permanently affixed to the shaft and the distal end of the scaffold is configured to be slidable along the shaft, and wherein the scaffold is configured to be coupled to the distal end of the catheter, wherein at least a portion of the distal end of the catheter is disposed substantially along the central axis of the self-expandable scaffold such that when the scaffold is in an expanded state the hollow lumen is centered in the vasculature. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification