Device and method of ablative cutting with helical tip

• US 9,937,005 B2
• Filed: 01/13/2016
• Issued: 04/10/2018
• 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): Eiseman, Lynsey
• Assistant Examiner(s): PAHAKIS, MANOLIS Y
• Application Number:
  US14/994,921
• Publication Number:
  US 20160120605A1
• Time in Patent Office: 818 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/24 with a catheter A61B18/26, A61B18/28 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/245 for removing obstructions in blood vessels or calculi
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0041 Removal of thrombosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00577 Ablation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00863 Fluid flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/206 the laser light passing along a liquid-filled conduit
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/2211 Plurality of fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/2216 Braided or helically wound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/2244 Features of optical fibre cables, e.g. claddings

Abstract

Catheter devices for ablation and removal of occlusions from blood vessels and methods of using the same are provided. Catheter devices are useful to ablate, cut, dislodge, and otherwise remove occlusions within a blood vessel that may limit or prevent proper circulation. Distal features of the catheter devices comprise arrangements of laser ablative or mechanical cutting features that generally provide enhanced surface areas and cutting functions. Spiral or helical arrangements are provided to aid in cutting operations.

Claims

1. A catheter assembly, comprising:

a catheter comprising;

an open ended distal tip with an exterior surface and an interior surface that extend throughout the distal tip, and a central axis that extends in a longitudinal direction, the distal tip comprising;

a helical wall, formed by the exterior surface and the interior surface, the helical wall extends in the longitudinal direction and terminates at a helical face, the helical face comprising a first terminus and a second terminus, the second terminus disposed distally relative to the first terminus, the helical wall further comprising a blade that connects the first terminus and the second terminus, wherein the blade extends in the longitudinal direction and is arranged to cut tissue in a direction tangential to the central axis;

a lumen formed by the interior surface, the lumen extends throughout the distal tip; and

an orifice that forms an entrance to the lumen; and

a plurality of optical fibers that extend, in the longitudinal direction, between the interior surface and the exterior surface within the helical wall of the distal tip, terminate at the helical face in a circular array, and are configured to transmit ablative laser light from a laser source to the helical face, wherein the helical face of the distal tip is configured to output the ablative laser light distally beyond the helical face in the longitudinal direction.

2. The catheter assembly of claim 1, wherein the helical face extends 360 degrees about the longitudinal axis.

3. The catheter assembly of claim 1, wherein the orifice is smaller than the lumen.

4. The catheter assembly of claim 1, wherein the blade is parallel with a longitudinal axis of the catheter.