Devices and methods for treating chronic total occlusion
OwnerRichard R. Heuserinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Catheterization systems and methods for treatment of a condition within a blood vessel are provided that include the use of a catheter, a balloon immediately adjacent to the distal end of the catheter, an inflation device for expanding the balloon, and an occlusion-penetrating device for gaining access through an occlusion. The occlusion penetrating device may include an indeflator configured to injected fluid at a high pressure, an RF wire, a hollow needle wire, a dissection tool, a laser wire, or even a very small balloon to exploit existing microchannels in the occlusion.
Claims20
A method of treating an occlusion within a blood vessel, the method comprising:
- inserting a support catheter defining proximal and distal ends and a central lumen terminating at an aperture at the distal end into the blood vessel, the central lumen being configured to permit the advancement of an occlusion-penetrating device therethrough to the occlusion;
- inflating an elastomeric membrane mounted on the support catheter so that the elastomeric membrane substantially closes off the blood vessel and stabilizes the longitudinal position of the support catheter within the blood vessel, the elastomeric membrane including a proximal end and an opposite distal end, the distal end of the support catheter projecting beyond the distal end of the elastomeric membrane when the elastomeric membrane is fully inflated, wherein the elastomeric membrane, when inflated, is positioned to minimize contact between the vessel and a treatment fluid and/or debris;
- and
- advancing the occlusion-penetrating device through the central lumen to the occlusion;
- and
- operating the occlusion-penetrating device to expand an existing microchannel in the occlusion to form a channel at least partially through the occlusion.
A method of treating an occlusion within a blood vessel, the method comprising:
- inserting a first catheter with a first lumen terminating at a distal aperture into the blood vessel;
- inserting a second catheter with a second lumen through the first lumen of the first catheter and out of the distal aperture;
- and
- inflating an elastomeric membrane mounted on the second catheter immediately adjacent the distal end so that the elastomeric membrane substantially closes off the blood vessel and maintains a position of the first catheter in the blood vessel;
- operating an occlusion-penetrating device to penetrate the occlusion.
A catheterization system for treatment of an occlusion within a blood vessel, the system comprising:
- a support catheter defining a proximal end, a distal end, a central lumen interconnecting the ends, and an aperture at the distal end, the catheter insertable into the blood vessel to a position proximal to the occlusion, the central lumen being configured to permit the advancement of an occlusion-penetrating device therethrough to the occlusion;
- an elastomeric membrane mounted on the support catheter and disposed immediately adjacent to the aperture at the distal end of the support catheter, the elastomeric membrane including a proximal end and an opposite distal end and being inflatable to substantially close off the blood vessel and to stabilize the catheter in the blood vessel, and the distal end of the catheter projecting beyond the distal end of the elastomeric membrane when the elastomeric membrane is fully inflated;
- wherein the elastomeric membrane, when inflated, is positioned to minimize contact between the vessel and a treatment fluid and/or debris;
- and
- an occlusion-penetrating device operable to form a channel through the occlusion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.