ENDARTERECTOMY APPARATUS

• US 3,730,185 A
• Filed: 10/29/1971
• Issued: 05/01/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cook Incorporated (Cook Group Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Everett R. Lerwick, William A. Cook
• Inventors: Cook, William A., Lerwick, Everett R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Medbery, Aldrich F.
• Application Number:
  US05/193,731
• Time in Patent Office: 550 Days
• Field of Search: 128/1R,304,305
• US Class Current: 606/190
• 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 2017/320733 with a flexible cutting or scraping element, e.g. with a whip-like distal filament member
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320741 for stripping the intima or the internal plaque from a blood vessel, e.g. for endarterectomy

Abstract

An apparatus and method for removing arteriosclerotic material from an artery. An electric motor is connected by flexible springs or torque shaft to a rotation oscillation converter. A rod having a bendable looped tip or loop at its distal end is removably connected to the oscillatory output of the converter. The loop or tip is inserted into the artery which has been cut to receive the tip. The tip is oscillated between the media layer and advantitia layer stretching the adventitia layer and causing separation of the two layers. The loosened arteriosclerotic core is then removed intact from the artery which is then surgically closed.

Claims

1. A method of removing arteriosclerotic material from an artery which comprises the steps of:

opening the artery by incision;

transecting the medial core of the artery;

placing a rod supported loop between the medial core and the adventitial tube;

rotatably oscillating the rod about its longitudinal axis to provide pivotal motion to said loop and simultaneously advancing the rod and loop up the artery between the medial core and the adventitial tube to stretch the adventitial tube and separate it from the medial core; and

, removing the medial core intact from the adventitial tube.

2. The method of claim 1 additionally comprising the step of:

grasping the end of the core with a hemostat as the loop is advanced up the artery and, after said removing of the medial core, debriding the artery with a wire basket.

3. The method Of claim 1 additionally comprising the steps of limiting the advancing of the loop to approximately four to six inches and then pulling it back and rotating the loop 180* prior to again advancing the loop through the same path and another 4 to 6 inches beyond.