Tissue slitting methods and systems
AssigneeSpecrtranetics LLC
InventorsWade A. Bowe, George Woodrow Burton, Paul Joseph Dalby, Ryan Michael Sotak
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Abstract
Methods and systems for separating an object, such as a lead, from formed tissue are provided. Specifically, a tissue slitting device is configured to engage patient formed tissue at a slitting engagement point. While the object is subjected to a first traction force, the tissue slitting device is caused to move further into the engaged tissue and slit the tissue past the point of engagement. The slitting device causes the tissue to separate along an axial direction of the length of the formed tissue and releases at least some of the force containing the object. The methods and systems are well suited for use in cardiac pacing or defibrillator lead explant procedures.
Claims17
A tissue-slitting apparatus comprising:
- a shaft, wherein the shaft is flexible, wherein the shaft includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a shaft wall surrounding an inner lumen running from the proximal end to the distal end, wherein the inner lumen is configured to receive a lead implanted within tissue growth on a vessel wall of a patient;
- and
- a plurality of optical fibers configured to carry ablative energy and disposed within the shaft wall,
- wherein the distal end of the shaft comprises:
- distal ends of the plurality of optical fibers;
- and
- a wedge shape extending radially outward from the shaft wall and terminating at a blade,
- wherein the distal ends of the plurality of optical fibers and the wedge shape are located at only a portion of a perimeter of the distal end of the shaft such that the distal ends of the plurality of optical fibers and the wedge shape are proximate to one another, and
- wherein at least one of the ablative energy or the blade is configured to separate the tissue growth from the lead to thereby permit the lead to be removed from the patient.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.