← Back to Patent Explorer
US5336184A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Rapid exchange catheter

Assignee: W.L. Gore and Associates Inc
•
Filing: 1993-07-15
•
Granted: 1994-08-09
•
Expires: 2013-07-15
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

Abstract

Abstract A novel over the wire-rapid exchange catheter is provided comprising a novel proximal end, which works in conjunction with the distal end of a traditional rapid exchange catheter, having a particular arrangement as shown in FIG. 1 which serves to enhance the users ability to properly operate and maneuver the guidewire/catheter, and thus to more effectively carry out the catherization procedure. Additionally, an OTW-RE catheter is provided with a means for rapidly removing the guidewire from the proximal end of the catheter, at the appropriate time during the procedure, while preserving the integrity of the device.

Inventors

  • 👤 Paul S. Teirstein

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 15:56
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/10; A61M25/104; A61M25/01; A61M2025/0177; A61M2025/0183; A61M2025/1043; A61M2025/1047; A61M25/0021; A61M25/0023; A61M25/0026; A61M25/0032; A61N; A61N5/00; A61N5/10; A61N5/1001; A61N5/1002; A61N2005/1003

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim 135 words
An improved over the wire rapid exchange catheter having a generally elongated catheter body with a proximal end and a distal end, a first guidewire port at said distal end where the guidewire enters said catheter body, and a second guidewire port spaced proximally from said distal end where the guidewire exits said catheter body, the improvement comprising: a reference marker affixed to said catheter body near said proximal end; an elongated guidewire channel formed on said catheter body near said proximal end; a third guidewire port formed in said proximal guidewire channel where the guidewire enters said proximal guidewire channel distal to said reference marker; and a fourth guidewire port formed in said proximal guidewire channel where the guidewire exits said proximal guidewire channel at the extreme proximal end of said elongated catheter body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 135 words
An improved over the wire rapid exchange catheter having a generally elongated catheter body with a proximal end and a distal end, a first guidewire port at said distal end where the guidewire enters said catheter body, and a second guidewire port spaced proximally from said distal end where the guidewire exits said catheter body, the improvement comprising: a reference marker affixed to said catheter body near said proximal end; an elongated guidewire channel formed on said catheter body near said proximal end; a third guidewire port formed in said proximal guidewire channel where the guidewire enters said proximal guidewire channel distal to said reference marker; and a fourth guidewire port formed in said proximal guidewire channel where the guidewire exits said proximal guidewire channel at the extreme proximal end of said elongated catheter body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 26 words
An over the wire-rapid exchange catheter according to claim 1, wherein the distal end of the catheter is a balloon or other therapeutic or diagnostic means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 32 words
An over the wire-rapid exchange catheter according to claim 1, wherein the distal end of the catheter is a balloon means, having a guidewire port at the distal end of the balloon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 105 words
An over the wire-rapid exchange catheter according to claim 1, having an overall length of 145 cm, wherein the distal end of the catheter is a balloon or other therapeutic or diagnostic means and the catheter is provided with a minimum of four distinct guidewire ports, said four ports being a guidewire entry port at the distal end of the catheter, a guidewire exit port located within 50 cm of the distal end of the catheter, a guidewire re-entry port located between 32-57 cm from the proximal end of the catheter, and a guidewire exit port at the extreme proximal end of the catheter body.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 39 words
An over the wire-rapid exchange catheter according to claim 1 having a proximal end, wherein the elongated catheter body and proximal guidewire channel are formed in such a manner as to create a generally rounded or oval cross section.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 30 words
An over the wire-rapid exchange catheter according to claim 1 having a proximal end, wherein the elongated catheter body is indented to form a portion of the proximal guidewire channel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 26 words
An over the wire-rapid exchange catheter according to claim 1 having a proximal end, wherein the proximal guidewire channel is formed within the elongated catheter body.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 48 words
An over the wire-rapid exchange catheter according to claim 1, wherein the distal end is a balloon or other therapeutic or diagnostic means, and wherein the guidewire re-entry port is located at a distance of from about 32 to 57 cm from the proximal end of the catheter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 40 words
An over the wire-rapid exchange catheter according to claim 1, wherein the distal end is a balloon or other therapeutic or diagnostic means wherein the guidewire re-entry port is located about 51-57 cm from the proximal end of the catheter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 40 words
An over the wire-rapid exchange catheter according to claim 1, wherein the guidewire channel incorporated into the proximal end thereof is provided with a rupturable membrane which forms at least a portion of the outer wall of said guidewire channel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 71 words
An over the wire-rapid exchange catheter according to claim 1, wherein the proximal guidewire channel is incorporated into the outer wall of the elongated catheter body in order to form a generally rounded cross section shape, wherein the outer wall of the said guidewire channel is provided with a rupturable membrane which forms at least a portion of the said outer wall and runs the length of the said guidewire channel.
Claim 13
Independent Claim 313 words
A method of using an OTW-RE catheter, comprising the steps of: providing a guide catheter inserted into a patient to a selected location, said guide catheter having a selectively sealable "O" ring for sealing a proximal end of said guide catheter; providing an OTW-RE catheter having a balloon or other therapeutic or diagnostic distal end, having a distal end of a guidewire threaded through a distal portion of the body of said OTW-RE catheter, having said guidewire exiting said distal portion of said catheter body, having an intermediate portion of said guidewire passing alongside said catheter body from said distal portion to a guidewire entrance port on a guidewire channel formed on a proximal portion of said catheter body where said guidewire re-enters said catheter body, and having a proximal end of said guidewire exiting said proximal guidewire channel; providing a reference marker on said catheter body at a selected location to demonstrate appropriate length of insertion of said catheter body into the patient; providing a torque device attached to said proximal end of said guidewire; advancing said OTW-RE catheter through said guide catheter until said reference marker on said OTW-RE catheter is reached; tightening said "O" ring around said reference marker; advancing said guidewire to a selected treatment location with the simultaneous injection of contrast dye; advancing said OTW-RE catheter as required to support said guidewire in regions of tortuosity; dilating by inflating said balloon or effecting another therapeutic or diagnostic means; subsequently withdrawing said OTW-RE catheter so that said guidewire entrance port is exposed; tightening said "O" ring to prevent further movement of said OTW-RE catheter; flexing said catheter body so that said guidewire separates slightly from said catheter body; removing said torque device from said guidewire; pulling on said guidewire until it is removed from said proximal guidewire channel; and exchanging said OTW-RE catheter in the conventional rapid exchange manner.
Claim 14
Independent Claim 313 words
A method of using an OTW-RE catheter, comprising the steps of: providing a guide catheter inserted into a patient to a selected location, said guide catheter having a selectively sealable "O" ring for sealing a proximal end of said guide catheter; providing an OTW-RE catheter having a balloon or other therapeutic or diagnostic distal end, having a distal end of a guidewire threaded through a distal portion of the body of said OTW-RE catheter, having said guidewire exiting said distal portion of said catheter body, having an intermediate portion of said guidewire passing alongside said catheter body from said distal portion to a guidewire entrance port on a guidewire channel formed on a proximal portion of said catheter body where said guidewire re-enters said catheter body, and having a proximal end of said guidewire exiting said proximal guidewire channel; providing a reference marker on said catheter body at a selected location to demonstrate appropriate length of insertion of said catheter body into the patient; providing a torque device attached to said proximal end of said guidewire; advancing said OTW-RE catheter through said guide catheter until said reference marker on said OTW-RE catheter is reached; tightening said "O" ring around said reference marker; advancing said guidewire to a selected treatment location with the simultaneous injection of contrast dye; advancing said OTW-RE catheter as required to support said guidewire in regions of tortuosity; dilating by inflating said balloon or effecting another therapeutic or diagnostic means; subsequently withdrawing said OTW-RE catheter so that said guidewire entrance port is exposed; tightening said "O" ring to prevent further movement of said OTW-RE catheter; flexing said catheter body so that said guidewire separates slightly from said catheter body; removing said torque device from said guidewire; pulling on said guidewire until it is removed from said proximal guidewire channel; and exchanging said OTW-RE catheter in the conventional rapid exchange manner.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 62 words
A method of using an OTW-RE catheter according to claim 12, further comprising the step of providing a rupturable membrane in an outer wall of said proximal guidewire channel, wherein the step of pulling on said guidewire removes said guidewire from said proximal guidewire channel by severing said rupturable membrane which forms a portion of said outer wall of said guidewire channel.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US5232445A Cited
US4771777A Cited
US4819751A Cited
US4944745A Cited
US5171222A Cited
US4909781A Cited
US5147377A Cited
US5061273A Cited
US5180367A Cited
US5156594A Cited
US5154725A Cited
US5205822A Cited
US5135535A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1997-08-08 1998-02-07 1998-08-09 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2001-08-08 2002-02-07 2002-08-09 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2005-08-08 2006-02-07 2006-08-09 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

Assigned Categories & Tags

No categories assigned to this patent yet.

Assign Category Tag