Electrically enhanced retrieval of material from vessel lumens
AssigneeCovidien LP
InventorsHoai (Kevin) Nguyen, Gaurav Girdhar, Andyanhdzung Huynh
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Abstract
Retrieval of material from vessel lumens can be improved by electrically enhancing attachment of the material to the thrombectomy system. The system can include a catheter having a distal portion configured to be positioned adjacent to a thrombus in a blood vessel, an electrode disposed at the distal portion of the catheter, and an interventional element configured to be delivered through a lumen of the catheter. The electrode and the interventional element are each configured to be electrically coupled to an extracorporeal power supply.
Claims15
A method for electrically enhanced thrombectomy, the method comprising:
- disposing a distal portion of a catheter adjacent to a treatment site in the body, the catheter comprising a first electrode disposed in the distal portion and coupled to a first electrical terminal of a power supply, and a second electrode comprising an expandable member extending around an outer surface of the catheter;
- supplying electric current to the first electrical terminal;
- and
- supplying negative pressure through the catheter to aspirate a region adjacent to the treatment site.
A method, comprising:
- disposing a distal portion of a catheter adjacent to a thrombus within a vessel, the catheter comprising:
- a lumen having a distal opening;
- and
- a first electrode coupled to a distal portion in electrical communication with an extracorporeal power supply, and a second electrode comprising a conductive element extending around an outer surface of the catheter;
- supplying negative pressure through the catheter lumen to draw at least a portion of the thrombus into the catheter lumen;
- and
- while supplying the negative pressure, supplying positive electrical current to the first electrode to promote attraction between the thrombus and the first electrode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.