Patent US6159230A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6159230A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Expandable lumen device and method of use
Assignee: ENDOVENTION Inc
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Filing: 1999-05-28
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Granted: 2000-12-12
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Expires: 2019-05-28
Abstract
Abstract A device for removing undesirable material from a tubular structure within the human body features a cylindrical body with a lumen therethrough. The distal portion of the body is divided into a number of flexible members. An inflatable cuff is attached to the flexible members. When the cuff is inflated, the members flex radially outwardly so that the distal opening of the lumen is expanded. An inflation tube is used to inflate and deflate the cuff by means of a syringe. An elastomeric membrane sleeve surrounds the flexible members so that the latter are contracted towards their original position when the cuff is deflated. The sleeve also prevents material from escaping between the flexible members when the cuff is inflated.
Inventors
- 👤 Shaun L. W. Samuels
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:36
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/0067; A61M25/0074; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/22; A61B17/22031; A61B17/22032; A61B17/221; A61B2017/2215; A61M25/0021; A61M25/0023; A61M2025/0024; A61M25/10; A61M2025/1043; A61M2025/109
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
70 words
A method for retrieving material from tubular structures within the human body comprising the steps of: a) inserting a guide wire into the tubular structure; b) guiding a catheter featuring an expandable lumen opening along the guide wire proximate to the material; c) expanding the lumen opening to a size sufficient to permit the material to be received in the lumen; and d) moving the material into the lumen opening.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
70 words
A method for retrieving material from tubular structures within the human body comprising the steps of: a) inserting a guide wire into the tubular structure; b) guiding a catheter featuring an expandable lumen opening along the guide wire proximate to the material; c) expanding the lumen opening to a size sufficient to permit the material to be received in the lumen; and d) moving the material into the lumen opening.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: e) contracting the lumen opening; and f) removing the catheter from the tubular structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of attaching an inflatable cuff to the catheter in a position proximate to the expandable lumen opening and wherein the lumen opening is expanded in step c) by inflating the cuff and the lumen opening is contracted in step e) by deflating the cuff.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of placing a central dilator through the catheter prior to step b) and removing the central dilator prior to step d).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step d) includes the substeps of: i) deploying a balloon catheter through the lumen opening and past the material; ii) inflating the balloon catheter; and iii) drawing the material into the lumen opening by withdrawing the balloon catheter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of attaching an inflatable cuff to the catheter in a position proximate to the expandable lumen opening and wherein the lumen opening is expanded in step c) by inflating the cuff.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of pulling the material out of the catheter through an exit port external to the tubular structure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step d) includes the substeps of: i) puncturing the tubular structure distal to the material to create a supplemental puncture site; ii) inserting an elongated tool through the supplemental puncture site; and iii) pushing the material towards lumen opening.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of fragmenting the material prior to step d).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the material is fragmented by inserting a clot fragmentation device through the lumen opening of the catheter and moving it to the material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the step of fragmenting the material includes the substeps of: i) puncturing the tubular structure distal to the material to create a supplemental puncture site; ii) inserting a clot fragmentation device through the supplemental puncture site; and iii) moving the clot fragmentation device to the material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of removing the guide wire from the tubular structure after step b) and injecting a fluid through the lumen opening into the tubular structure.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
106 words
A method for retrieving material from tubular structures within the human body comprising the steps of: a) inserting a guide wire into the tubular structure; b) guiding a catheter featuring a tip with an expandable lumen opening along the guide wire to a position proximate to the material; c) expanding the lumen opening so that a circumferential occlusive seal is formed between the catheter tip and an inner surface of the tubular structure; and d) receiving the material in the lumen opening due at least in part to a reversed flow in the tubular structure proximate to the catheter tip as a result of step c).
Claim 15
Independent Claim
106 words
A method for retrieving material from tubular structures within the human body comprising the steps of: a) inserting a guide wire into the tubular structure; b) guiding a catheter featuring a tip with an expandable lumen opening along the guide wire to a position proximate to the material; c) expanding the lumen opening so that a circumferential occlusive seal is formed between the catheter tip and an inner surface of the tubular structure; and d) receiving the material in the lumen opening due at least in part to a reversed flow in the tubular structure proximate to the catheter tip as a result of step c).
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 13 further comprising the steps' of: e) contracting the lumen opening; and f) removing the catheter from the tubular structure.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of attaching an inflatable cuff to the catheter in a position proximate to the expandable lumen opening and wherein the lumen opening is expanded in step c) by inflating the cuff and the lumen opening is contracted in step e) by deflating the cuff.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of applying suction to a catheter port external to the tubular structure after step c) to enhance the reversed flow of step d).
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 13 further comprising the steps of placing a central dilator through the catheter prior to step b) and removing the central dilator prior to step d).
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of attaching an inflatable cuff to the catheter in a position proximate to the expandable lumen opening and wherein the lumen opening is expanded in step c) by inflating the cuff.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of pulling the material out of the catheter through an exit port external to the tubular structure.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 13 wherein step d) includes the substeps of: i) puncturing the tubular structure distal to the material to create a supplemental puncture site; ii) inserting an elongated tool through the supplemental puncture site; and iii) pushing the material towards lumen opening.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of fragmenting the material prior to step d).
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 21 wherein the material is fragmented by inserting a clot fragmentation device through the lumen opening of the catheter and moving it to the material.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 21 wherein the step of fragmenting the material includes the substeps of: i) puncturing the tubular structure distal to the material to create a supplemental puncture site; ii) inserting a clot fragmentation device through the supplemental puncture site; and iii) moving the clot fragmentation device to the material.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 13 further comprising the steps of removing the guide wire from the tubular structure after step b) and injecting a fluid through the lumen opening into the tubular structure.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-12-12 | 2004-06-12 | 2004-12-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-12-12 | 2008-06-12 | 2008-12-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-12-12 | 2012-06-12 | 2012-12-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |