Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
An apparatus for use in performing an angioplasty procedure at the site of a stenosis in the vasculature of a patient which comprises: an inflatable balloon, said inflatable balloon defining an axis, having an external surface and being insertable into the vasculature of a patient for movement therein between a deflated configuration and an inflated configuration; a resilient base member mounted on said external surface of said balloon, said base member being substantially compliant with said external surface of said balloon during movement therewith; and a plurality of blade segments attached to said base member, with a portion of each said blade segment being juxtaposed with a portion of at least one other said blade segment and being axially off-set therefrom to allow relative movement therebetween during a movement of said balloon from said deflated configuration into said inflated configuration to embed at least one of said plurality of blade segments into the stenosis while said external surface of said balloon conforms with the stenosis and the vasculature of the patient.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
171 words
An apparatus for use in performing an angioplasty procedure at the site of a stenosis in the vasculature of a patient which comprises: an inflatable balloon, said inflatable balloon defining an axis, having an external surface and being insertable into the vasculature of a patient for movement therein between a deflated configuration and an inflated configuration; a resilient base member mounted on said external surface of said balloon, said base member being substantially compliant with said external surface of said balloon during movement therewith; and a plurality of blade segments attached to said base member, with a portion of each said blade segment being juxtaposed with a portion of at least one other said blade segment and being axially off-set therefrom to allow relative movement therebetween during a movement of said balloon from said deflated configuration into said inflated configuration to embed at least one of said plurality of blade segments into the stenosis while said external surface of said balloon conforms with the stenosis and the vasculature of the patient.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said balloon is elongated and further wherein said base member is mounted on said external surface of said balloon in a substantially axial orientation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said base member is made of a polyurethane material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said plurality of blade segments mounted on said base member are a blade unit and further wherein said apparatus comprises a plurality of said blade units.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein each said blade segment is made of stainless steel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said apparatus comprises at least three said blade segments.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein each said blade segment is elongated defining a blade axis for each said blade segment, and each said blade segment is mounted on said balloon with its blade axis substantially parallel to said axis of said balloon.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
169 words
A method for incising a stenosis in the vasculature of a patient, said method comprising: inserting a catheter in the vasculature, said catheter having an inflatable balloon that defines an axis and is formed with an external surface, a resilient base member mounted on said external surface of said balloon, said base member being substantially compliant with said external surface of said balloon during movement therewith, and a plurality of blade segments attached to said base member, with a portion of each said blade segment being juxtaposed with a portion of at least one other said blade segment and being axially off-set therefrom; advancing said catheter within the vasculature until the inflatable balloon is across the stenosis; and inflating the balloon to cause at least one of said plurality of blade segments to move relative to the other said blade segments and to embed at least one of said plurality of blade segments into the stenosis and allow said external surface of said balloon to conform to the stenosis.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
169 words
A method for incising a stenosis in the vasculature of a patient, said method comprising: inserting a catheter in the vasculature, said catheter having an inflatable balloon that defines an axis and is formed with an external surface, a resilient base member mounted on said external surface of said balloon, said base member being substantially compliant with said external surface of said balloon during movement therewith, and a plurality of blade segments attached to said base member, with a portion of each said blade segment being juxtaposed with a portion of at least one other said blade segment and being axially off-set therefrom; advancing said catheter within the vasculature until the inflatable balloon is across the stenosis; and inflating the balloon to cause at least one of said plurality of blade segments to move relative to the other said blade segments and to embed at least one of said plurality of blade segments into the stenosis and allow said external surface of said balloon to conform to the stenosis.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as recited in claim 8 wherein said advancing step comprises the steps of: inserting a guidewire in the vasculature of the patient; and tracking said guidewire with said catheter to position said inflatable balloon across the stenosis.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as recited in claim 8 further comprising the step of deflating said balloon to withdraw said blade segments from said stenosis.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as recited in claim 8 wherein said inflating step is conducted to incise and dilate the stenosis.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as recited in claim 8 further comprising the step of removing said balloon and said blade segments from the patient.