US5346473A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Oxy-hydrogen propelled torpedo for introducing angioplasty guide wire
Assignee: United States Department of Health and Human Services
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Filing: 1993-02-22
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Granted: 1994-09-13
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Expires: 2013-02-22
Abstract
Abstract A torpedo device which is attached to the end of a guide wire to provide a local driving force to the end thereof. The torpedo includes a telescopic structure having a combustion chamber therein. In operation, a combustible fuel is fed to the combustion chamber and an explosion is created by igniting the combustible fuel. Upon explosion, the torpedo expands axially to drive a projectile portion thorough an obstructed or constricted vessel lumen. Fins can be included on the exterior of the torpedo to prevent backward movement. The fins can also be used to scrape or cut an obstruction by engaging the obstruction and subsequently applying rearward movement to the torpedo.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert L. Bowman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 21:26
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/01; A61M25/09; A61M25/09041; A61M25/0105; A61M25/0116
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
65 words
A wire-directed catheter which comprises: a guide wire having a distal end and a proximal tip; and ramming means attached to the proximal tip of the guide wire for propelling said wire-directed catheter through a lumen, said ramming means comprising a hollow base portion and a hollow ram portion which are telescopically connected to each other so as to define a hollow combustion chamber therebetween.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
65 words
A wire-directed catheter which comprises: a guide wire having a distal end and a proximal tip; and ramming means attached to the proximal tip of the guide wire for propelling said wire-directed catheter through a lumen, said ramming means comprising a hollow base portion and a hollow ram portion which are telescopically connected to each other so as to define a hollow combustion chamber therebetween.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A wire-directed catheter according to claim 1 wherein said base portion is fastened to the proximal tip of said guide wire.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A wire-directed catheter according to claim 1, wherein said ramming means further comprises means for supplying a combustible fuel to said combustion chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A wire-directed catheter according to claim 3, wherein said means for supplying combustible fuel comprises a fuel feed tube which communicates with said combustion chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A wire-directed catheter according to claim 3, wherein said ramming means further comprises means for igniting combustible fuel supplied to said combustion chamber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A wire-directed catheter according to claim 5, wherein said means for igniting comprises an ignition wire which passes through said base portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
A wire-directed catheter according to claim 6, wherein said means for supplying combustible fuel comprises a fuel feed tube which communicates with said combustion chamber and said ignition wire passes through a portion of said fuel feed tube into said combustion chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A wire-directed catheter according to claim 1, wherein said ram portion includes a plurality of fins extending from an outer surface thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A wire-directed catheter according to claim 8, wherein said base portion includes a plurality of fins extending from an outer surface thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A wire-directed catheter according to claim 1, wherein said proximal tip of said guide wire comprises a steerable tip.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A wire-directed catheter according to claim 4, wherein a distal portion of said fuel feed tube includes valve means, including a pinch valve.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
A wire-directed catheter according to claim 11, wherein a flashback arresting means is provided in said fuel feed tube.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
A wire-directed catheter according to claim 12, wherein said flashback arresting means comprises hollow metal needles with porous plugs therein.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of passing a wire-directed catheter through an obstructed lumen which comprises: providing a wire-directed catheter having a guide wire with a ramming means attached to a proximal tip of the guide wire for propelling said wire-directed catheter through a lumen, said ramming means comprising a hollow base portion and a hollow ram portion which are telescopically connected to each other so as to define a hollow chamber therebetween; positioning said ramming means at an obstruction in a lumen; and activating said ramming means so that a portion thereof is projected into or through said obstruction while said proximal tip of said guide wire remains stationary.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of passing a wire-directed catheter through an obstructed lumen which comprises: providing a wire-directed catheter having a guide wire with a ramming means attached to a proximal tip of the guide wire for propelling said wire-directed catheter through a lumen, said ramming means comprising a hollow base portion and a hollow ram portion which are telescopically connected to each other so as to define a hollow chamber therebetween; positioning said ramming means at an obstruction in a lumen; and activating said ramming means so that a portion thereof is projected into or through said obstruction while said proximal tip of said guide wire remains stationary.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method of passing a wire-directed catheter through an obstructed lumen according to claim 14, wherein said ramming means is activated by causing an explosion to occur within said hollow chamber.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method of passing a wire-directed catheter through an obstructed lumen according to claim 15, wherein said ramming means is repeated activated multiple times.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method of passing a wire-directed catheter through an obstructed lumen according to claim 14, wherein one-directional movement of said wire-directed catheter is provided by fins on said ramming means.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
115 words
A method of clearing an obstruction from a lumen which comprises: providing a wire-directed catheter having a guide wire with a ramming means attached to a proximal tip of the guide wire for propelling said wire-directed catheter through a lumen, said ramming means comprising a hollow base portion and a hollow ram portion which are telescopically connected to each other so as to define a hollow chamber therebetween; positioning said ramming means at said obstruction in said lumen; activating said ramming means so that a portion thereof is projected into or through said obstruction while said proximal tip of said guide wire remains stationary; and retracting said portion of said ramming means from said obstruction.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
115 words
A method of clearing an obstruction from a lumen which comprises: providing a wire-directed catheter having a guide wire with a ramming means attached to a proximal tip of the guide wire for propelling said wire-directed catheter through a lumen, said ramming means comprising a hollow base portion and a hollow ram portion which are telescopically connected to each other so as to define a hollow chamber therebetween; positioning said ramming means at said obstruction in said lumen; activating said ramming means so that a portion thereof is projected into or through said obstruction while said proximal tip of said guide wire remains stationary; and retracting said portion of said ramming means from said obstruction.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method of clearing an obstruction from a lumen according to claim 18, wherein said obstruction is engaged by fins provided on said ramming means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-09-12 | 1998-03-14 | 1998-09-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-09-12 | 2002-03-14 | 2002-09-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-09-12 | 2006-03-14 | 2006-09-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |