RAPID EXCHANGE BIAS LASER CATHETER DESIGN

• US 20140114298A1
• Filed: 12/20/2013
• Published: 04/24/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Spectranetics Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Spectranetics Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Taylor, Kevin D., Bowe, Wade
• Granted Patent: US 9,308,047 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/7
• 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 2017/22038 with a guide wire
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22061 for spreading elements apart
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/2238 with means for selectively laterally deflecting the tip of the fibre

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.

Claims

1-33. -33. (canceled)

34. 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.