Angioplasty device with embolic recapture mechanism for treatment of occlusive vascular diseases

An angioplasty catheter, comprising:

• an infusion catheter having a proximal end and a distal end;
• a balloon catheter disposed around the infusion catheter, the balloon catheter having a balloon with an inner wall having at least one opening covered by a frangible flap;
• and,
• at least one string attached to the flaps at a first end and attached to a plunger at a second end.

A method recapturing embolic materials during angioplasty comprising:

• providing an infusion catheter having a proximal end and a distal end;
• providing a balloon catheter disposed coaxially relative to the infusion catheter and having an inflatable cavity formed by an inner wall and an outer wall, the balloon catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the balloon catheter sealingly attached to the infusion catheter, the balloon catheter having at least one aperture disposed from the outer wall to the inner wall of the balloon catheter;
• providing a suction catheter coaxial with the infusion and balloon catheters, the suction catheter disposed between the balloon catheter and the infusion catheter, the suction catheter in fluid communication with the at least one aperture in the balloon catheter;
• deploying the angioplasty catheter of the present invention to a target area of a lumen by advancing it over a guide wire;
• inflating the balloon in the target area to perform angioplasty such that the lumen walls are opened;
• deflating the balloon catheter such that the proximal end is partially deflated while the distal end maintains a seal against an inside wall of the lumen;
• suctioning embolic particles through the communicating channels in the balloon catheter through use of the suction catheter;
• continuing to deflate the balloon catheter until its profile is suitable for removal over the guide wire;
• and,
• removing the angioplasty catheter and attending to the entry site.

An angioplasty catheter, comprising:

• an infusion catheter having a proximal end and a distal end;
• a balloon catheter disposed coaxially and surrounding the infusion catheter, the balloon catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the balloon catheter sealingly attached to the infusion catheter, the distal end of the balloon catheter capable of deflating at a slower rate than the proximal end of the balloon catheter such that during deflation the distal end of the balloon catheter remains engaged with an inner wall of a lumen during an initial period while the proximal end moves away from the inner wall of the lumen;
• and,
• a suction catheter disposed coaxially relative to the suction catheter and having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the suction catheter sealingly attached to the balloon catheter, the suction catheter having at least one orifice disposed therein.