Apparatus for treating a blood vessel

• US RE39,200 E1
• Filed: 01/17/1997
• Issued: 07/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Qian, Quinghua
• Primary Examiner(s): SMITH, RUTH S
• Application Number:
  US08/785,445
• Time in Patent Office: 3,469 Days
• Field of Search: 606/49, 606/32, 606/41, 607/116, 607119-120, 607/122, 600/372, 600/373, 600/386, 600/391
• US Class Current: 606/49
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1492 having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation A61B18/1477 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00292 mounted on or guided by flexible, e.g. catheter-like, means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00065 porous
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00196 reciprocating lengthwise
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00214 Expandable means emitting energy, e.g. by elements carried thereon
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0022 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00488 Esophagus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00494 Stomach, intestines or bowel
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0481 through the cuff wall
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/10 Balloon catheters A61M25/0125 takes precedence; embolectomy A61B17/22032; retractors A61B17/02; inflatable balloons for placing stents or stent-grafts A61F2/958 ; stomach balloons for treatment of obesity A61F5/0003; oesophagal tubes A61J15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/12 Reflex reflectors

Abstract

Method of employing a balloon tube for creating a thrombosis of vessels located directly under the surface of a body cavity which is difficult to reach, through the initiation of an electric current between the balloon which is deflated as introduced into the body cavity and which is inflated by introducing a fluid on the spot and an outside electrode. The fluid which is used to inflate the balloon is electrically conductive and the balloon wall is semi-permeable for the fluid.

Claims

1. Method for creating a thrombosis in a blood vessel located directly under the surface of a body cavity which is difficult to reach comprising

inserting a deflated balloon containing a cylindrical tube into the body cavity, the tube having openings to the balloon,

inflating the balloon by introducing an electrically conductive fluid into the tube, the balloon having an exterior wall semi-permeable to the fluid, contacting a conductive wire to the conductive fluid to provide a connection to an electrode outside the body and initiating an electric current between the balloon and the electrode located outside the body cavity.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein a wire is inserted through the cylindrical tube and is connected to the electrode located outside the body cavity.

3. The method according to claim 2 wherein the wire inserted is made of platinum.

4. The method according to claim 3 wherein the fluid introduced is normal saline solution.

5. The method according to claim 2 wherein the fluid introduced is normal saline solution.

6. The method according to claim 1 wherein the fluid introduced is normal saline solution.

7. The method according to claim 6, the method further comprising a step of adding a medicament to the fluid.

8. The method according to claim 1, the method further comprising a step of adding a medicament to the fluid.

9. An apparatus for inducing thrombosis in hard to reach blood vessels within a living body comprising

a cylindrical tube having multiple lateral passage-ways,

an electrically conductive fluid located within the tube,

a balloon having a membrane wall semipermeable to the fluid surrounding a portion of the cylindrical tube containing the passageways,

a counter electrode adapted to be located outside the body and

an electrically conductive wire electrically connecting the fluid and the electrode.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the fluid is normal saline solution.

11. An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the wire is made of platinum and the fluid is normal saline solution.

12. An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein a medicament is present in the fluid.

13. An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein a medicament is present in the fluid.

14. An apparatus for treating a blood vessel comprising:

a tube including an inlet and outlet, the tube adapted to receive a conductive fluid;

a balloon in communication with a portion of the tube, the balloon including a membrane adapted to allow the conductive fluid to pass through the membrane;

an electrode adapted to be located outside the blood vessel; and

an electronically conductive wire adapted to connect the electrode to the conductive fluid.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the electrode is adapted to be located outside the body.

16. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the balloon is semi-permeable.

17. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the conductive wire extends through the tube.

18. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the wire is platinum.

19. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the balloon is made of a material which offers no significant electrical resistance.

20. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the tube is made of a material which offers significant electric resistance.