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AssigneeThe Spectranetics Corporation
InventorsJohn E. Nash, Greg Walters, Dennis M. Sauro, Mark Eberhardt, William T. Fisher, Douglas G. Evans
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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, the flexible catheter system comprising:
A flexible catheter system for clearing an accumulation of occlusive material from a vessel, duct or lumen in a living being, the flexible catheter system comprising a catheter comprising a catheter jacket housing a helical coil, and a core wire having a proximal end, wherein the helical coil is disposed about the core wire and affixed to the core wire only at the proximal end, wherein the catheter jacket comprises at least one aspiration port, and further comprising a source of rotary power coupled to a proximal portion of the helical coil and arranged to flex at least the helical coil, independently of the core wire.
A flexible catheter system for clearing an accumulation of occlusive material from a vessel, duct or lumen in a living being, the flexible catheter system comprising an aspiration pump, wherein the aspiration pump comprises a helical wire, a core having a proximal end, a catheter jacket, and a cap affixed to a distal end of the catheter jacket, wherein the core has a distal end that is held by the cap such that the core remains rotationally stationary while the helical wire rotates about the core, and wherein the cap forms an enclosure that seals the aspiration pump from the outside environment except for at least one aspiration port defined by the cap, wherein the catheter jacket surrounds the helical wire and the helical wire is wrapped around the core in a helical arrangement, wherein the helical wire is affixed to the core only at the proximal end, and wherein a proximal portion of the helical wire is driven by a source of rotary power.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.