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AssigneeThe Spectranetics Corporation
InventorsJohn E. NASH, Greg WALTERS, Dennis M. SAURO, Mark EBERHARDT, William T. FISHER, Douglas G. EVANS
Estimating the term…
A device suitable for removing material from a living being is provided, featuring at least an aspiration pump, powered by a motor. The aspiration pump and any optional infusate pump preferably feature a helical pumping mechanism, and operate at a high rate of rotation, thereby ensuring adequate pumping performance and flexibility. The helical pumping mechanism may be a helical coiled wire about a central core tube. The helical coil wire, whether together with, or independent of, the core tube, may be rotated to cause a pumping action. Additionally, a narrow crossing profile is maintained, ensuring that the device may reach more tortuous regions of the vasculature. In one embodiment, the system comprises a wire-guided mono-rail catheter with a working head mounted on a flexible portion of the catheter that can laterally displace away from the guide wire to facilitate thrombus removal. The working head may be operated to separate and move away from the guide wire to come within a closer proximity of the obstructive material to more effectively remove it from the vessel.
A flexible catheter system for clearing an accumulation of occlusive material from a vessel, duct or lumen in a living being, said flexible catheter system comprising a rotary helical aspiration pump, wherein said rotary helical aspiration pump comprises a helical wire, a core, and a catheter jacket, wherein said catheter jacket surrounds said helical wire and said helical wire is wrapped around said core in a helical arrangement, and further wherein said helical wire is driven by a helical source of rotary power to operate independently of said core.
A method claim for clearing a vessel, duct or lumen in a living being of an accumulation of occlusive material, said method comprising the steps of:
A flexible conveyor of fibrous material comprising a helical conveyor comprising a coil wire and central core, said helical conveyor being arranged to rotate within a jacket, said helical conveyor having a clearance as great as 50% of the rotor diameter within said jacket to prevent clogging with fibrous material as said helical conveyor rotates.
A flexible catheter system for clearing an accumulation of occlusive material from a vessel, duct or lumen in a living being, said flexible catheter system comprising a catheter comprising a catheter jacket housing a helical coil, and a source of rotary power arranged to rotate at least said helical coil, independently of the core wire, said system further comprising a guidewire and guidewire following means, wherein a distal region of said catheter jacket is arranged to be displaced laterally from said guidewire while said helical coil is in operation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.