US6306124B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Microcatheter
Assignee: Micro Therapeutics Inc
•
Filing: 2000-02-24
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Granted: 2001-10-23
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Expires: 2020-02-24
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is an elongate flexible microcatheter, for diagnostic and or therapeutic applications. The microcatheter is provided with a small outside diameter and high degree of flexibility, to facilitate negotiation of small, tortuous vessels such as those encountered in intercranial catheterizations. The catheter is formed from a composite of a series of tubular elements, each extending axially for a different distance along the tubular body. A distal section on one or more of the tubular components is provided with a spiral cut, to modify the flexibility properties of the finished catheter. The catheter may also be provided with an inflatable balloon, and a valve to permit the use of a single lumen for both receiving a guidewire and for conveying inflation media.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael L. Jones
- 👤 Scott Evans
- 👤 George B. Wallace
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 21:29
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/0009; A61M25/0012; A61M25/0043; A61M25/0054; A61M25/0067; A61M25/0074; A61M25/0075; A61M25/0021; A61M2025/0042; A61M25/0013; A61M25/005; A61M25/0051; A61M25/0053; A61M25/0068; A61M25/007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
A method of treating a vessel, comprising the steps of: providing a catheter having an elongate flexible tubular body having a central lumen extending axially therethrough, a distal valve within the central lumen, and an inflatable balloon on the distal end of the tubular body in fluid communication with said central lumen proximally of said valve; advancing a guidewire through the central lumen and through the valve; positioning the guidewire end catheter within the vessel such that balloon is at a treatment site; withdrawing the wire from the central lumen; and thereafter introducing inflation media into the central lumen to inflate the balloon; wherein the valve moves into a closed position following removal of the guidewire from the central lumen to substantially prevent escape of inflation media through the valve.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
130 words
A method of treating a vessel, comprising the steps of: providing a catheter having an elongate flexible tubular body having a central lumen extending axially therethrough, a distal valve within the central lumen, and an inflatable balloon on the distal end of the tubular body in fluid communication with said central lumen proximally of said valve; advancing a guidewire through the central lumen and through the valve; positioning the guidewire end catheter within the vessel such that balloon is at a treatment site; withdrawing the wire from the central lumen; and thereafter introducing inflation media into the central lumen to inflate the balloon; wherein the valve moves into a closed position following removal of the guidewire from the central lumen to substantially prevent escape of inflation media through the valve.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
88 words
A method as in Claim 1 , wherein the elongate flexible tubular body has a first tubular element in the wall extending axially through the body and terminating in a first distal zone; a second tubular element in the wall extending axially through the body and terminating in a second distal zone; the first tubular element being disposed coaxially within the second tubular element; and each of the first and second tubular elements being provided with a spiral cut in each of the first and second distal zones.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 2 , wherein the second distal zone in the catheter is axially displaced form the first distal zone.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 2 , wherein the catheter further comprising a spring coil coaxially disposed within the tubular wall.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as in claim 4 , wherein the spring coil is coaxially disposed on the radially exterior side of the first tubular element and on the radially interior side of the second tubular element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as in claim 5 , wherein the catheter further comprising an outer tubular jacket surrounding the tubular wall.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 6 , wherein the catheter further comprising a radiopaque marker disposed proximate the distal end thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 2 , wherein said first tubular element comprises polytetrafluoroethylene and said second tubular element comprises polyimide.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method as in claim 4 , wherein the spring coil comprises a proximal zone in which adjacent windings of coil are positioned in contact with each other, and a distal section in which adjacent windings of coil are spaced axially apart from each other.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as in claim 4 , wherein the spring coil comprises wire having a rectangular cross sectional configuration.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method as in claim 1 , wherein the catheter has at least one flexibility gradient zone on the catheter body, said flexibility gradient zone having a first flexibility at a proximal end thereof, a second flexibility at a distal end thereof, and a continuous change in flexibility along the length of the zone from the first flexibility to the second flexibility.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 11 , wherein said flexibility zone extends for at least about 98% of the length of the catheter.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 11 , wherein said flexibility zone extends for at least about 75% of the length of the catheter.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
54 words
A method as in claim 11 , wherein said tubular body has a wall thickness between an outside surface of the tubular body and the lumen extending therethrough, and the wall thickness at the proximal end of the flexibility zone is greater than the wall thickness at the distal end of the flexibility zone.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as in claim 11 , wherein said flexibility zone comprises a continuous change in wall thickness from the proximal end to the distal end thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method as in claim 11 , wherein said flexibility zone extends for at least about 148 cm, and has a wall thickness within the range of from about 0.009 inches to about 0.012 inches at the proximal end thereof and within the range of from about 0.0005 inches to about 0.002 inches at the distal end thereof.
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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) | 2004-10-22 | 2005-04-23 | 2005-10-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-10-22 | 2009-04-23 | 2009-10-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-10-22 | 2013-04-23 | 2013-10-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |