System and method of ablative cutting and pulsed vacuum aspiration

• US 9,883,885 B2
• Filed: 03/13/2013
• Issued: 02/06/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Spectranetics Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Spectranetics Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Hendrick, Brandon Thomas, Grace, Kenneth P.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TUAN VAN
• Application Number:
  US13/800,651
• Publication Number:
  US 20140276920A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,791 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3207 Atherectomy devices working by cutting or abrading; Similar devices specially adapted for non-vascular obstructions A61B17/32037 takes precedence; endoscopic cutting instruments A61B17/320016
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320758 with a rotating cutting instrument, e.g. motor driven A61B17/320725, A61B17/32075 and A61B17/320783 take precedence; for removing intra-ocular material A61F9/00763; endoscopic rotatable cutting instruments A61B17/32002
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/245 for removing obstructions in blood vessels or calculi
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320775 Morcellators, impeller or propeller like means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2218/007 Aspiration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/80 Suction pumps A61M1/64, A61M1/71, A61M60/00 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/84 Drainage tubes; Aspiration tips for negative pressure wound therapy A61M1/90; for surgical cutting instruments A61B17/32

Abstract

A system for ablation and removal of occlusions from blood vessels is provided. Laser cutting systems and mechanical cutting systems are provided in catheter devices, the cutting systems operable to ablate, cut, dislodge, and otherwise remove occlusions within a blood vessel that may limit or prevent proper circulation. Pulsed aspiration systems are further provided, the pulsed aspiration systems operable to remove ablated, cut, or dislodged material without excessive or unnecessary removal of blood and fluid.

Claims

1. A catheter aspiration system comprising:

a catheter having a tubular wall, the tubular wall comprising a distal end and an orifice for a lumen extending proximally from the distal end, wherein the orifice is smaller than the lumen;

a plurality of optical fibers located within the tubular wall and exposed at the distal end of the catheter;

a vacuum pump in fluid communication with the lumen;

a valve assembly in communication with the vacuum pump, the valve assembly having an open position and closed position; and

a controller for alternating the position of the valve assembly between the open position and the closed position for selective application of a vacuum pressure provided by the vacuum pump, wherein the controller comprises a pulse width modulator communicatively coupled to the valve assembly, and wherein the pulse width modulator produces signals received by the valve assembly, thereby controlling frequency and duty cycle of the valve assembly, wherein controlling the frequency and duty cycle of the valve assembly influences a pulse pattern including at least one of pulse frequency, pulse width, pulse pressure, rate at which the pulse pressure increases, and rate at which the pulse pressure decreases.

2. The catheter aspiration system of claim 1, wherein the valve assembly comprises a solenoid valve.

3. The catheter aspiration system of claim 1, further comprising:

clogging detection means which detects clogging in the lumen during an aspiration operation, the clogging detection means comprising at least one of pressure sensor and a flow meter for sensing at least one a pressure differential and a flow differential with respect to preferred operating conditions; and

clogging alert means comprising at least one of an audio and a visual indicia when the clogging detection means detects clogging based on the at least one of a pressure differential and a flow differential with respect to preferred operating conditions.

4. The catheter aspiration system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of optical fibers exposed at the distal end are aligned with a longitudinal axis of the catheter.