# US 5,346,473 A · Oxy-hydrogen propelled torpedo for introducing angioplasty guide wire > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,346,473 A - Document ID: US5346473A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/020,952 - Filed: 1993-02-22 - Granted: 1994-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 1993-02-22 - Assignees: The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services - Inventors: Robert L. Bowman - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5346473A ## CPC - A61M 25/09041: {Mechanisms for insertion of guide wires} - A61M 25/0105: {Steering means as part of the catheter or advancing means; Markers for positioning (systems for detection of markers A61B)} - A61M 25/0116: {self-propelled, e.g. autonomous robots (A61M25/0122 takes precedence)} - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## Abstract A torpedo device which is attached to the end of a guide wire to provide a local driving force to the end thereof. The torpedo includes a telescopic structure having a combustion chamber therein. In operation, a combustible fuel is fed to the combustion chamber and an explosion is created by igniting the combustible fuel. Upon explosion, the torpedo expands axially to drive a projectile portion thorough an obstructed or constricted vessel lumen. Fins can be included on the exterior of the torpedo to prevent backward movement. The fins can also be used to scrape or cut an obstruction by engaging the obstruction and subsequently applying rearward movement to the torpedo. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A wire-directed catheter which comprises: a guide wire having a distal end and a proximal tip; and ramming means attached to the proximal tip of the guide wire for propelling said wire-directed catheter through a lumen, said ramming means comprising a hollow base portion and a hollow ram portion which are telescopically connected to each other so as to define a hollow combustion chamber therebetween. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A wire-directed catheter according to claim 1 wherein said base portion is fastened to the proximal tip of said guide wire. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A wire-directed catheter according to claim 1, wherein said ramming means further comprises means for supplying a combustible fuel to said combustion chamber. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A wire-directed catheter according to claim 3, wherein said means for supplying combustible fuel comprises a fuel feed tube which communicates with said combustion chamber. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) A wire-directed catheter according to claim 3, wherein said ramming means further comprises means for igniting combustible fuel supplied to said combustion chamber. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A wire-directed catheter according to claim 5, wherein said means for igniting comprises an ignition wire which passes through said base portion. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) A wire-directed catheter according to claim 6, wherein said means for supplying combustible fuel comprises a fuel feed tube which communicates with said combustion chamber and said ignition wire passes through a portion of said fuel feed tube into said combustion chamber. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A wire-directed catheter according to claim 1, wherein said ram portion includes a plurality of fins extending from an outer surface thereof. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A wire-directed catheter according to claim 8, wherein said base portion includes a plurality of fins extending from an outer surface thereof. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A wire-directed catheter according to claim 1, wherein said proximal tip of said guide wire comprises a steerable tip. ### Claim 11 (depends on 4) A wire-directed catheter according to claim 4, wherein a distal portion of said fuel feed tube includes valve means, including a pinch valve. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A wire-directed catheter according to claim 11, wherein a flashback arresting means is provided in said fuel feed tube. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) A wire-directed catheter according to claim 12, wherein said flashback arresting means comprises hollow metal needles with porous plugs therein. ### Claim 14 A method of passing a wire-directed catheter through an obstructed lumen which comprises: providing a wire-directed catheter having a guide wire with a ramming means attached to a proximal tip of the guide wire for propelling said wire-directed catheter through a lumen, said ramming means comprising a hollow base portion and a hollow ram portion which are telescopically connected to each other so as to define a hollow chamber therebetween; positioning said ramming means at an obstruction in a lumen; and activating said ramming means so that a portion thereof is projected into or through said obstruction while said proximal tip of said guide wire remains stationary. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) A method of passing a wire-directed catheter through an obstructed lumen according to claim 14, wherein said ramming means is activated by causing an explosion to occur within said hollow chamber. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) A method of passing a wire-directed catheter through an obstructed lumen according to claim 15, wherein said ramming means is repeated activated multiple times. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) A method of passing a wire-directed catheter through an obstructed lumen according to claim 14, wherein one-directional movement of said wire-directed catheter is provided by fins on said ramming means. ### Claim 18 A method of clearing an obstruction from a lumen which comprises: providing a wire-directed catheter having a guide wire with a ramming means attached to a proximal tip of the guide wire for propelling said wire-directed catheter through a lumen, said ramming means comprising a hollow base portion and a hollow ram portion which are telescopically connected to each other so as to define a hollow chamber therebetween; positioning said ramming means at said obstruction in said lumen; activating said ramming means so that a portion thereof is projected into or through said obstruction while said proximal tip of said guide wire remains stationary; and retracting said portion of said ramming means from said obstruction. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) A method of clearing an obstruction from a lumen according to claim 18, wherein said obstruction is engaged by fins provided on said ramming means.