Abstract:
The catheter apparatus may be used to assist in creating a fistula between two adjacent blood vessels. The apparatus includes a catheter for inserting into a first blood vessel which lies adjacent to a second blood vessel, the catheter having a plurality of openings through which a physician may navigate a piercing tool. The physician maneuvers the tip of the catheter to a position within the first blood vessel adjacent to a portion of the first blood vessel wall in which the physician intends to create an opening. The physician may then rotate the piercing tool within the catheter and extend the piercing tool through one opening at a time, without rotating the catheter, until the physician chooses an opening that is properly aimed at the second blood vessel. Such a configuration allows for a wide arc of potential firing space.
Abstract:
A catheter introducer system is provided with a catheter sheath having a valve providing for a friction fit around a catheter. The friction fit is selectively adjustable to vary between a first configuration for longitudinal movement of the catheter through the valve and a second configuration for holding the catheter longitudinally in place. The valve may include a chuck to grip the catheter radially. The chuck may include an annular base and an opposed annular clamp, and a washer disposed between the base and the clamp. At least one of the base and the clamp may include a beveled surface that forces the washer radially inwardly as the base and the clamp are drawn together. The system also includes one or more dilators layered within the sheath. One or more of the dilators may include a preformed arcuate portion configured to access a targeted branched vessel. The layered dilators and sheaths are typically softer and more hydrophilic proceeding from the innermost dilator out to the sheath. The dilator may be reinforced by a wire embedded in the body of the dilator. The distal tip of the sheath may be stiffened by a ring affixed adjacent the distal end. The sheath may include in the innermost dilator a trocar formed of a flexible, hollow outer wire and an inner stiff needle, which can extend beyond the wire for piercing and be withdrawn to relax the wire for advancement of the dilator.
Abstract:
An apparatus for preventing embolisms resulting from an operation being performed in a body conduit by an instrument. The apparatus includes a selectively actuable conduit blocking mechanism that is actuated prior to performing the operation to thereby block the conduit while the operation is being performed upon an interior wall of the conduit, wherein the conduit blocking mechanism is de-actuated subsequent to the operation being performed. A transporting mechanism is movable within the conduit. The conduit blocking mechanism and the instrument are disposed at separate positions upon the transporting mechanism. The apparatus may be used for stent delivery, vessel predilation, or other operations.
Abstract:
Methods for treating bodily tissues and fluid vessels are disclosed. According to a method of repairing a perforation in a bodily fluid vessel, a viscous, moldable substance is inserted into the vessel at the location of the perforation. A path is opened through the moldable substance to permit fluid flow through the vessel. According to a method of introducing a tissue-killing substance into a bodily fluid vessel, a catheter is provided that has a blocking mechanism configured to selectively block and unblock the vessel. The catheter also has a delivery system that is configured to introduce the tissue-killing substance into the vessel. The vessel is substantially blocked upstream of a selected tissue using the blocking mechanism. The tissue-killing substance is introduced into the vessel through the delivery system, and the vessel is unblocked when the tissue-killing substance has substantially traveled toward the selected tissue. According to a method of occluding a bodily fluid vessel, a catheter is provided that has a first passage. The first passage has an occlusion element housed therein. The catheter is positioned in the vessel, and the occlusion element is moved out of the passage and into the vessel to thereby occlude the vessel. A catheter is also disclosed that may be used with the above methods.
Abstract:
Catheterization systems and methods for treatment of a condition within a blood vessel are provided that include the use of a catheter, a balloon immediately adjacent to the distal end of the catheter, an inflation device for expanding the balloon, and an occlusion-penetrating device for gaining access through an occlusion. The occlusion penetrating device may include an indeflator configured to injected fluid at a high pressure, an RF wire, a hollow needle wire, a dissection tool, a laser wire, or even a very small balloon to exploit existing microchannels in the occlusion.
Abstract:
Wire systems for the ablation of occlusions within blood vessels are provided. Systems include one or more wires configured for percutaneous insertion in a blood vessel, the wires configured to ablate an occlusion within the blood vessel. In some embodiments, a wire is gradually tapered near its distal end so that it can be used to pierce occlusions. In some cases, it may be used to dilate existing microchannels within occlusions. In some embodiments, a capture device is inserted towards the occlusion from either the same or opposite side as the tapered wire, and is used to draw the wire through the occlusion.
Abstract:
A stent system is provided for percutaneous insertion in an artery of a main stent which may include at least one peripheral fenestration defined through the stent wall. The peripheral fenestration may be configured to be expanded in situ to receive a peripheral stent. The stent system also may include a peripheral stent configured to be inserted into the peripheral fenestration of the main stent. The peripheral stent may extend, when inserted in the peripheral fenestration, generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the main stent. The stent system may further include a guidewire, insertable through the peripheral aperture, for maneuvering the main stent into place in the artery. The guidewire may be tapered toward its distal end. The stent system may also include a dilation device for dilating the peripheral stent within the peripheral aperture.
Abstract:
Wire systems for the ablation of occlusions within blood vessels are provided. Systems include one or more wires configured for percutaneous insertion in a blood vessel, the wires configured to ablate an occlusion within the blood vessel. In some embodiments, a wire is gradually tapered near its distal end so that it can be used to pierce occlusions. In some cases, it may be used to dilate existing microchannels within occlusions. In some embodiments, a capture device is inserted towards the occlusion from either the same or opposite side as the tapered wire, and is used to draw the wire through the occlusion.
Abstract:
Catheterization systems and methods for treatment of a condition within a blood vessel are provided that include the use of a catheter, a balloon immediately adjacent to the distal end of the catheter, an inflation device for expanding the balloon, and an occlusion-penetrating device for gaining access through an occlusion. The occlusion-penetrating device may include an indeflator configured to injected fluid at a high pressure, an RF wire, a hollow needle wire, a dissection tool, a laser wire, or even a very small balloon to exploit existing microchannels in the occlusion.
Abstract:
This invention provides a small diameter snare device and device for thrombus removal consisting of a hollow, elongate, thin-walled outer sheath. A single central core wire extends through the entire length of the sheath. The outer diameter of the core wire is sized close to the inner diameter of the sheath while allowing for axial sliding, in order to maximize the support to the body portion of the snare device. A tool tip or “capture segment” at the distal end of the sheath and core wire can be controllably expanded to engage a thrombus and remove the thrombus from the blood vessel.