US 6,348,061 B1Granted

Vessel and lumen expander attachment for use with an electromechanical driver device

AssigneePowermed, Inc.

InventorMichael P. Whitman

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Abstract

A selectively coupleable and remotely actuateable surgical attachment for use with an electromechanical driver device for use in expanding occluded vessels and lumens. The attachment includes an axial rod which is coupleable to the electromechanical driver device, and which is selectively rotateable in accordance with the action of the electromechanical driver device. The rod is also threaded in opposing orientations at either end thereof. A pair of nuts are mounted to the rod, and specifically on the opposing threads. The rod and nuts are disposed within an axial track which permits the rod to turn, but constrains the rotational motion of the nuts, thereby permitting the nuts to move axially along the threadings of the rod when the rod turns. Attached to the nuts are a series of jointed spokes which are coupled to a flexible tubular shroud which surrounds the entire assembly. The jointed spokes are radially extended and retracted in accordance with the motion of the nuts in an umbrella-like fashion in accordance with the actuation of the electromechanical driver device. The radial expansion of the flexible tubular shroud provides the necessary force to expand an occluded vessel or lumen.

Claims9

Dependent claims

A vessel and lumen expanding attachment for use with an electromechanical driver having an elongated flexible drive shaft including a torque transferring tip, said attachment comprising:

a rotatable rod having first and second axial portions, which rod is mateable with said torque transferring tip of said electromechanical driver, said rod including a first threading disposed on the first portion, and a second threading disposed on the second portion, wherein the first and second threadings are oriented in opposition with one another;
first and second nuts which are mounted about the threadings of the first and second portions of said rod, respectively;
means for constraining said first and second nuts from rotating relative to said rod, such that rotation of said rod causes said first and second nuts to travel toward each other when said rod is rotating in one direction, and away from one another when said rod is rotating in the opposite direction;
a plurality of jointed radially expanding and retracting spokes coupled to said first and second nuts, said jointed radially expanding and retracting spokes being expandable and retractable in accordance with the relative axial motion of said first and second nuts;
and
a radially flexible tubular shroud mounted about said rod, said first and second nuts, and said spokes, which is coupled on the interior surface thereof to said spokes, such that said shroud may be expanded and alternatively retracted radially in accordance with the rotation of said rod.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.