# US 10,117,668 B2 · Balloon catheter with non-deployable stent having improved stability

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- Number: US 10,117,668 B2
- Document ID: US10117668B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/048,955
- Filed: 2013-10-08
- Published: 2015-04-09
- Granted: 2018-11-06
- Earliest claimed: 2013-10-08
- Assignees: The Spectranetics Corporation
- Applicants: AngioScore, Inc.
- Inventors: Meir Moffarah; Jefferey Bleam; Peter E. Wagner
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10117668B2

## CPC

- A61B 17/320725: {with radially expandable cutting or abrading elements (A61B17/32075 takes precedence)}
- A61M 25/104: {used for angioplasty}
- A61B 2017/22061: {for spreading elements apart}
- A61M 2025/105: {having a balloon suitable for drug delivery, e.g. by using holes for delivery, drug coating or membranes}
- A61M 2025/109: {having balloons for removing solid matters, e.g. by grasping or scraping plaque, thrombus or other matters that obstruct the flow}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)}

## Abstract

An angioplasty catheter comprises a catheter body having a balloon or other radially expandable shell at its distal end. An external structure is carried over the shell and scores a stenosed region in a blood vessel when the balloon is inflated therein. The catheter has an attachment structure disposed between the catheter body and the balloon to accommodate foreshortening and rotation of the external structure as the balloon is expanded. The external structure may be part of a helical cage structure which floats over the balloon. Stabilizing struts are provided between at least some of the helical struts.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of dilating a stenosed region in a blood vessel, the method comprising the steps of:
introducing an angioplasty catheter having a body and a helical scoring structure having a distal end and a proximal end carried over a balloon on the body, wherein the helical scoring structure comprises
a plurality of helical elements that longitudinally extend from the distal end to the proximal end, wherein the plurality of helical elements are coupled together at the distal end and the proximal end, and
a plurality of stabilizing struts, wherein each of the stabilizing struts is spaced between and coupled to at least two adjacent helical elements,
expanding the balloon to dilate the helical scoring structure within the stenosed region within the blood vessel, wherein the proximal end of the helical scoring structure moves distally and the helical scoring structure shortens to accommodate such distal movement of the proximal and of the helical scoring structure as the balloon is expanded;
holding the expanded helical scoring structure in place to disrupt the stenosis; and
deflating the balloon causing the helical structure to collapse.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the helical scoring structure accommodates rotation of the plurality of helical elements as the balloon is expanded.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2 wherein the plurality of stabilizing struts are evenly spaced along the length of the helical scoring structure.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3 wherein the helical scoring structure comprises a metal.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4 wherein the helical scoring structure is unattached to the balloon and the distal end and proximal end of the scoring structure are coupled to the catheter body.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4 wherein the helical scoring structure comprises nitinol.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5 wherein at least one of the distal end and the proximal end of the helical scoring structure is capable of moving axially.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein said scoring structure has a length in the range of about 50 mm to about 300 mm.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein said balloon is capable of expanding to a diameter of about 18 mm to about 24 mm.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein said scoring structure has a length of at least about 50 mm.