Patent US5682897A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5682897A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Guidewire with imaging capability
Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed Inc
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Filing: 1996-09-12
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Granted: 1997-11-04
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Expires: 2016-09-12
Abstract
Abstract A guidewire imaging catheter includes a catheter body, housing secured to the distal end of the catheter body, a drive cable extending through a central lumen of the catheter body, and an imaging system disposed within the housing and coupled to the drive cable. A fixed guidewire is secured to the distal tip of the housing, and the catheter body is highly flexible while retaining sufficient torsional stiffness to allow the entire catheter to be used as a guidewire. Thus, the imaging guidewire can be used to first image a desired region within a patient's vascular system and subsequently as a guidewire to allow placement of a desired interventional catheter.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark L. Pomeranz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 07:57
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B8/00; A61B8/12; A61B8/44; A61B8/4444; A61B8/445; A61B8/4461
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for imaging and treating a vascular stenosis in a branch vessel, said method comprising: introducing an imaging guidewire having a deviated distal tip to a patient's vasculature; advancing the imaging guidewire to the branch vessel; rotating the imaging guidewire so that its distal tip enters the branch vessel; imaging at least a portion of the stenosis in the branch vessel using the imaging guidewire; advancing an interventional catheter over the imaging guidewire; and treating the region of stenosis using the interventional catheter.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for imaging and treating a vascular stenosis in a branch vessel, said method comprising: introducing an imaging guidewire having a deviated distal tip to a patient's vasculature; advancing the imaging guidewire to the branch vessel; rotating the imaging guidewire so that its distal tip enters the branch vessel; imaging at least a portion of the stenosis in the branch vessel using the imaging guidewire; advancing an interventional catheter over the imaging guidewire; and treating the region of stenosis using the interventional catheter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein the stenosis is imaged by rotating reflective surface within the imaging guidewire, where the reflective surface is disposed to transversely reflect a generally axial ultrasonic imaging signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as in claim 2, wherein the reflective surface is rotated at a rate in the range from about 50 rpm to 2000 rpm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein the stenosis is imaging by rotating an ultrasonic transducer within the imaging guidewire, where the transducer is disposed to project an ultrasonic transducer transversely relative to the guidewire.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 4, wherein the transducer is rotated at a rate in the range from 50 rpm to 2000 rpm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein the interventional catheter is a balloon dilatation catheter and the stenosis is treated by expanding the balloon in the region of the stenosis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein the interventional catheter is an atherectomy catheter and the stenosis is treated by shaving the stenosis.
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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) | 2000-11-03 | 2001-05-05 | 2001-11-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-11-03 | 2005-05-05 | 2005-11-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-11-03 | 2009-05-05 | 2009-11-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |