US4754752A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Vascular catheter
Assignee: Trimedyne Inc
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Filing: 1987-07-27
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Granted: 1988-07-05
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Expires: 2007-07-27
Abstract
Abstract An improved balloon-tipped catheter includes means for convectively heating the inflation medium within the balloon during dilation. In the preferred embodiment, the convective heat is provided by a radiant heating block which is attached to a laser light source through an optical waveguide extending the length of the catheter. The convectively heated balloon promotes restoration and healing of the arterial wall in the region of stenosis, which region normally suffers from cracking, tearing, and stretching. It has been found that damage to the arterial wall can sometimes result in abrupt closure of the artery and frequent restenosis in the same region.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Ginsburg
- 👤 David F. Profitt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 02:06
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/0067; A61M25/0068; A61M25/007; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/08; A61B18/18; A61B18/20; A61B18/22; A61B18/28; A61M25/10; A61B18/082; A61B17/00; A61B2017/00017; A61B2017/00022; A61B2017/00084; A61B17/22; A61B2017/22001; A61B2017/22002; A61B2017/22051; A61B2017/22062; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00166; A61B90/00; A61B90/39; A61M2205/00; A61M2205/36; A61M25/104
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
72 words
A catheter comprising: a flexible tube having distal and proximal ends, the distal end being insertable into a blood vessel; an inflatable balloon secured to the tube near its distal end; means for inflating the balloon to provide a volume of inflation medium therein; and means for convectively heating the inflation medium in the balloon to a temperature in the range from about 40° C. to 80° C. above normal body temperature.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
72 words
A catheter comprising: a flexible tube having distal and proximal ends, the distal end being insertable into a blood vessel; an inflatable balloon secured to the tube near its distal end; means for inflating the balloon to provide a volume of inflation medium therein; and means for convectively heating the inflation medium in the balloon to a temperature in the range from about 40° C. to 80° C. above normal body temperature.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A catheter as in claim 1, wherein the means for convectively heating the volume includes a heat radiating block located inside the balloon, and means for heating the block.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A catheter as in claim 2, wherein the means for heating the block is a fiber optic waveguide connectable to a laser radiation source, said fiber optic waveguide being disposed to direct said radiation at said block.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A catheter as in claim 1, further comprising means located at the distal end of the tube for injecting a plurality of perfusate streams, wherein at least some of said perfusate streams are oblique to the axis of the tube.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
117 words
A catheter comprising: a flexible tube having distal and proximal ends and at least two isolated lumens extending from the distal end to the proximal end, wherein the distal end is insertable into a blood vessel; an inflatable balloon secured to the tube near its distal end, said balloon being arranged to receive an inflation medium from one of said lumens to provide a volume of inflation medium within the balloon; a heat radiating block secured to the tube within the inflatable balloon; a laser radiation source; and a fiber optic waveguide connected to said laser radiation source and disposed to direct radiation at the block in order to convectively heat the inflation medium inside the balloon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
117 words
A catheter comprising: a flexible tube having distal and proximal ends and at least two isolated lumens extending from the distal end to the proximal end, wherein the distal end is insertable into a blood vessel; an inflatable balloon secured to the tube near its distal end, said balloon being arranged to receive an inflation medium from one of said lumens to provide a volume of inflation medium within the balloon; a heat radiating block secured to the tube within the inflatable balloon; a laser radiation source; and a fiber optic waveguide connected to said laser radiation source and disposed to direct radiation at the block in order to convectively heat the inflation medium inside the balloon.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
A catheter as in claim 5, wherein the fiber optic waveguide is inserted through a third lumen extending through the tube from its proximal end to a location adjacent the heat radiating block.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
A catheter as in claim 5, wherein the heat radiating block is a finned cylinder having a hollow axial passage, wherein the hollow passage is aligned with a first lumen in the tube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
A catheter as in claim 7, further comprising means located at the distal end of the tube for injecting a plurality of perfusate streams, where at least some of the perfusate streams are oblique to the axis of the tube.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
62 words
A catheter as in claim 8, wherein the means for injecting is defined by a plurality of oblique ports passing through the wall of the tube from the first lumen to the exterior, said ports being located on the distal side of the heating block so that perfusate may be passed through the first lumen and the hollow passage to said ports.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for dilating an obstructed blood vessel, said method comprising: inserting a balloon catheter into the blood vessel so that the balloon is proxiamte the obstruction; inflating the balloon to dialate the obstruction, wherein the dilation may also tear the endothelium from the intima of the blood vessel; convectively heating a volume of inflation medium within the balloon to a temperature in the range from about 40° C. to 80° C. above normal body temperature.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for dilating an obstructed blood vessel, said method comprising: inserting a balloon catheter into the blood vessel so that the balloon is proxiamte the obstruction; inflating the balloon to dialate the obstruction, wherein the dilation may also tear the endothelium from the intima of the blood vessel; convectively heating a volume of inflation medium within the balloon to a temperature in the range from about 40° C. to 80° C. above normal body temperature.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 10, wherein the volume is heated by directing laser light at a metal block disposed within the balloon.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as in claim 11, wherein the volume is heated for a time period in the range from about 30 to 45 seconds.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as in claim 10, wherein the blood vessel is the coronary artery.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as in claim 13, wherein the blood vessel is a peripheral artery.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4470407A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-07-05 | 1992-01-04 | 1992-07-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-07-05 | 1996-01-04 | 1996-07-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-07-05 | 2000-01-04 | 2000-07-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |