Thermal angioplasty catheter and method

Patent 4998933 Issued on March 12, 1991. Estimated Expiration Date:

June 10, 2008. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

3769984

Electrically heated flexible tube having temperature measuring probe
Patent #: 4038519
Issued on: 07/26/1977
Inventor: Foucras

Percutaneous lead having radially adjustable electrode
Patent #: 4660571
Issued on: 04/28/1987
Inventor: Hess , et al.

Pacing catheter and method of making same
Patent #: 4699157
Issued on: 10/13/1987
Inventor: Shonk

Heatable dilation catheter
Patent #: 4709698
Issued on: 12/01/1987
Inventor: Johnston , et al.

Catheter with oxyhydrogen catalytic thermal tip
Patent #: 4796622
Issued on: 01/10/1989
Inventor: Lu , et al.

Method and apparatus for angioplasty Patent #: 4799479
Issued on: 01/24/1989
Inventor: Spears

Inventors

Assignee

Advanced Angioplasty Products, Inc.

Application

No. 204668 filed on 06/10/1988

US Classes:

606/41, Applicators604/114, Electric means606/31With thermal control means

Examiners

Primary: Rosenbaum, C. Fred
Assistant: Lewis, William

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Townsend and Townsend

Foreign Patent References

0182689 EP. 05/22/1986

International Class

A61B 017/36

Abstract

This invention provides a method and apparatus for selectively heating an atheromatous mass which partially or fully occludes a particular blood vessel. As a result, the occlusive mass is effectively softened or weakened, allowing the occlusive mass to be more readily recanalized by expansion of a balloon or other dilitation means. This invention also provides a method and apparatus for effectively boring through a partially or fully occluded blood vessel by simultaneously applying both (1) heat to the occlusive mass surrounding the tip of the catheter and (2) pressure against the mass within the partially or fully occluded blood vessel.

Other References

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Cumberland, D. C. et al., "Percutaneous Laser Thermal Angioplasty: Initial Clinical Results with a Laser Probe in Total Peripheral Artery Occlusions," Lancet (Jun. 28, 1986), pp. 1457-1459
Kensey et al., "Recanalization of Obstructed Arteries Using a Flexible Rotating Tip Catheter," Abstracts of the 59th Scientific Sessions, Circulation (1986), II-457
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