EP0177782B1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Transluminal thrombectomy apparatus
Assignee: Advanced Technology Laboratories Inc
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Filing: 1985-09-09
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Granted: 1990-08-16
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Expires: 2005-09-09
Abstract
Abstract The invention is an apparatus for breaking up a thrombus by introducing a rotating drive shaft (14) into the thrombus whereby the fibrin of the thrombus will be withdrawn from the thrombus onto the rotating drive shaft (14), thereby breaking up the network of the thrombus which prevents blood flow. The apparatus includes a drive shaft housing (16) which can be used to withdraw fluid from the area of the thrombus or to introduce enzymes, such as streptokinase which will further break up the thrombus or contrast agent for visualizing the vascular anatomy.
Inventors
- 👤 David C. Auth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 08:57
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/22; A61B17/32; A61B17/3205; A61B17/3207; A61B17/320758; A61B2017/320733; A61B90/00; A61B90/39
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
A transluminal thrombectomy apparatus comprising: (a) a relatively thin flexible drive shaft (14; 114; 214) having a relatively thick tip (12; 112; 212) affixed to the distal end thereof; (b) a flexible, cylindrical shaft housing (16; 116; 216); and (c) drive shaft connecting means at the proximal end of said drive shaft (14; 114; 214), which means extend through shaft housing connecting means (18; 218) for connecting said drive shaft to a rotating prime mover (34), characterized in that, (d) the entire exterior surface of said tip is continuous and rounded.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
A transluminal thrombectomy apparatus comprising: (a) a relatively thin flexible drive shaft (14; 114; 214) having a relatively thick tip (12; 112; 212) affixed to the distal end thereof; (b) a flexible, cylindrical shaft housing (16; 116; 216); and (c) drive shaft connecting means at the proximal end of said drive shaft (14; 114; 214), which means extend through shaft housing connecting means (18; 218) for connecting said drive shaft to a rotating prime mover (34), characterized in that, (d) the entire exterior surface of said tip is continuous and rounded.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The transluminal thrombectomy apparatus of Claim 1 wherein said tip is solid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The transluminal thrombectomy apparatus of Claim 1 or 2 wherein said flexible drive shaft (14; 114; 214) is comprised of a flexible, solid shaft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The transluminal thrombectomy apparatus of Claim 3 wherein said shaft (14; 114; 214) is made of a radiopaque material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The transluminal thrombectomy apparatus of Claim 4 in which said shaft (14; 114; 214) is made of stainless steel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The transluminal thrombectomy apparatus according to any of Claims 3 to 5 wherein said flexible drive shaft (14; 114; 214) further comprises a helical metal winding over said solid shaft.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The transluminal thrombectomy apparatus of Claim 6 wherein said helical metal winding is comprised of a radiopaque material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The transluminal thrombectomy apparatus according to Claim 6 or 7 wherein said helical metal winding is bonded to said solid shaft.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The transluminal thrombectomy apparatus according to any of Claims 6 to 8 wherein the metal of said helical metal winding is selected from the group consisting of gold and platinum.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The transluminal thrombectomy apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 9 wherein said tip (12; 212) is an elongated cylinder with rounded shoulders adjacent to and remote from said shaft housing (16; 216).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The transluminal thrombectomy app- paratus of Claim 10 wherein said tip is formed from radiopaque substance.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The transluminal thrombectomy apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 9 wherein said tip (12; 112) is spheroidal in shape.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The transluminal thrombectomy apparatus of Claim 12 wherein said tip (12; 112) is formed from radiopaque substance.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
46 words
The transluminal thrombectomy apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 13 wherein said flexible, cylindrical shaft housing (16; 116; 216) is comprised of a cylindrical plastic tube having a fluid connector (18; 218) at its end which is remote from said tip (12; 112; 212).
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
The transluminal thrombectomy apparatus of Claim 14 wherein said drive shaft (14; 114; 214) includes a connector for connecting it to a rotating prime mover (34), said drive shaft connector extending through said fluid connector (18; 218).
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
79 words
The transluminal thrombectomy apparatus of Claim 15 wherein said fluid connector (18) connects to an apparatus capable of providing a fluid path through said shaft housing (16) to the end of said shaft housing at which said tip (12) is located, and said apparatus also includes a seal means (30) through which said drive shaft extends, said seal means being adapted to permit axial movement of said drive shaft (14) therethrough while said transluminal thrombectomy apparatus is in use.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
48 words
The transluminal thrombectomy apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 16 wherein said shaft housing (216) includes a formed bend (215) therein adjacent to the end of said shaft housing (216) from which said tip (212) extends, whereby steerability through alternative selection of vessels can be accomplished.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
53 words
The transluminal thrombectomy apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 17 wherein the inside diameter of said flexible, cylindrical shaft housing (16; 116; 216) is greater than the outside diameter of said tip (12, 112; 212), said shaft housing (16; 116; 216) extending along and surrounding said drive shaft (14; 114; 214).
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
62 words
The transluminal thrombectomy apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 18 further comprising connecting means (26) for sealably connecting the end of said shaft housing (16) which is remote from said tip (12) to an apparatus capable of providing a fluid path through said shaft housing (16) to the end of said shaft housing at which said tip (12) is located.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
The transluminal thrombectomy apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 19 wherein said tip (12; 112; 212) has a diameter which is greater than that of said drive shaft.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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