US6652547B2 — Apparatus and method of removing occlusions using…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 86 words

An ultrasonic medical device for removing vascular occlusions comprising: a transducer capable of vibrating at an ultrasonic frequency, a probe engaging said transducer, said probe capable of translating the vibrations from said transducer and thereby vibrating transversely along its longitude thus creating a plurality of nodes of cavitation energy along at least a portion of a longitudinal axis of said probe, wherein said plurality of nodes of cavitation energy create an occlusion destroying effect along at least a portion of said longitudinal axis of said probe.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 86 words

An ultrasonic medical device for removing vascular occlusions comprising: a transducer capable of vibrating at an ultrasonic frequency, a probe engaging said transducer, said probe capable of translating the vibrations from said transducer and thereby vibrating transversely along its longitude thus creating a plurality of nodes of cavitation energy along at least a portion of a longitudinal axis of said probe, wherein said plurality of nodes of cavitation energy create an occlusion destroying effect along at least a portion of said longitudinal axis of said probe.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 32 words

The ultrasonic medical device of claim 1 whereby said transverse vibration along said longitudinal axis of said probe further causes a node of cavitation energy at the distal end of said probe.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 51 words

The ultrasonic medical device of claim 2 wherein the cavitation energy produced at the distal end of said probe is capable of fragmenting vascular occlusive material to sub-micron sized particles and is capable of effectuating retrograde flow of said fragmented vascular occlusive material away from the distal end of said probe.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 14 words

The ultrasonic medical device of claim 2 further comprising a sheath engaging said probe.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 15 words

The ultrasonic medical device of claim 4 wherein said sheath further comprises an aspiration means.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 18 words

The ultrasonic medical device of claim 4 or claim 5 wherein said sheath further comprises an imaging means.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 117 words

An ultrasonic medical device for removing vascular occlusions comprising: a transducer capable of vibrating at an ultrasonic frequency, a probe engaging said transducer, said probe capable of translating the vibrations from said transducer and thereby vibrating transversely along at least a portion of a longitudinal axis thus creating a plurality of nodes of cavitation energy along at least a portion of said longitudinal axis of said probe wherein said plurality of nodes of cavitation energy create an occlusion destroying effect along at least a portion of said longitudinal axis of said probe, and a balloon catheter engaging a portion of said probe, said balloon catheter capable of being adapted to an inflation means and a deflation means.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 117 words

An ultrasonic medical device for removing vascular occlusions comprising: a transducer capable of vibrating at an ultrasonic frequency, a probe engaging said transducer, said probe capable of translating the vibrations from said transducer and thereby vibrating transversely along at least a portion of a longitudinal axis thus creating a plurality of nodes of cavitation energy along at least a portion of said longitudinal axis of said probe wherein said plurality of nodes of cavitation energy create an occlusion destroying effect along at least a portion of said longitudinal axis of said probe, and a balloon catheter engaging a portion of said probe, said balloon catheter capable of being adapted to an inflation means and a deflation means.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 14 words

The ultrasonic medical device of claim 7 further comprising a sheath engaging said probe.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 15 words

The ultrasonic medical device of claim 8 wherein said sheath further comprises an aspiration means.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 18 words

The ultrasonic medical device of claim 7 or claim 8 wherein said sheath further comprises an imaging means.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 82 words

A kit for removing an occlusion in a vessel comprising: a probe capable of vibrating transversely along a longitudinal axis thus creating a plurality of nodes of cavitation energy along at least a portion of said longitudinal axis of said probe wherein said plurality of nodes of cavitation energy create an occlusion destroying effect along at least a portion of said longitudinal axis of said probe; and an appropriate packaging to contain and maintain the sterility of the contents of the kit.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 82 words

A kit for removing an occlusion in a vessel comprising: a probe capable of vibrating transversely along a longitudinal axis thus creating a plurality of nodes of cavitation energy along at least a portion of said longitudinal axis of said probe wherein said plurality of nodes of cavitation energy create an occlusion destroying effect along at least a portion of said longitudinal axis of said probe; and an appropriate packaging to contain and maintain the sterility of the contents of the kit.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 12 words

The kit of claim 11 further comprising a sheath engaging said probe.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 34 words

The kit of claim 11 or claim 12 further comprising a balloon catheter engaging a portion of said probe, said balloon catheter capable of being adapted to an inflation means and a deflation means.

Claim 17

Independent Claim 134 words

A method of removing an occlusion from a vessel with an ultrasonic medical device capable of transverse vibration along at least a portion of a longitudinal axis of the probe of said device, comprising the steps of: a) inserting a probe of an ultrasonic medical device into said vessel; b) positioning said probe in proximity to said occlusion; c) providing ultrasonic energy to said medical device thereby causing transverse vibration of said probe and the generation of a plurality of nodes of cavitation energy along at least a portion of said longitudinal axis of said probe wherein said plurality of nodes of cavitation energy create an occlusion destroying effect along at least a portion of said longitudinal axis of said probe; and d) fragmenting said occlusion through the cavitation energy emitted by said probe.

Claim 18

Independent Claim 134 words

A method of removing an occlusion from a vessel with an ultrasonic medical device capable of transverse vibration along at least a portion of a longitudinal axis of the probe of said device, comprising the steps of: a) inserting a probe of an ultrasonic medical device into said vessel; b) positioning said probe in proximity to said occlusion; c) providing ultrasonic energy to said medical device thereby causing transverse vibration of said probe and the generation of a plurality of nodes of cavitation energy along at least a portion of said longitudinal axis of said probe wherein said plurality of nodes of cavitation energy create an occlusion destroying effect along at least a portion of said longitudinal axis of said probe; and d) fragmenting said occlusion through the cavitation energy emitted by said probe.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 37 words

The method of claim 14 wherein the probe is at least partially contained within a sheath further comprising at least one fenestration, said probe and sheath positioned such that said fenestration is in proximity with the occlusion.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 48 words

The method of claim 15 wherein the sheath further comprises an aspiration means, and fragment of said occlusion generated from cavitation at the distal end of the probe are directed, in a retrograde direction from the distal end of said probe, said fragments remove through said aspiration means.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 26 words

The method of claim 14 or claim 15 wherein the sheath further comprises an imaging means enabling the positioning of said probe proximal to said occlusion.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 107 words

The method of claim 14 wherein the probe further comprises a balloon catheter engaging a portion of said probe, said balloon catheter capable of engaging an inflation means and a deflation means, and further comprising the steps of inserting the probe and balloon catheter into a vessel, positioning the balloon catheter proximal to the occlusion, inflating the balloon catheter so the balloon catheter contacts the surface of the occlusion, applying ultrasonic energy to said probe to fragment the occlusion, further inflating said balloon catheter to maintain contact with the occlusion while the occlusion is fragmented, deflating the balloon, and withdrawing the probe and balloon from the vessel.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 106 words

An ultrasonic medical device for removing an occlusion in a blood vessel comprising: an elongated, flexible probe having a first terminus, a second terminus and a longitudinal axis therebetween; and a transducer coupled to said elongated, flexible probe at said first terminus wherein said transducer is capable of vibrating at an ultrasonic frequency to enable a translation of an acoustical energy from said transducer to said elongated, flexible probe, causing a transverse vibration along at least a portion of said longitudinal axis of said elongated, flexible probe creating an occlusion destroying effect along at least a portion of said longitudinal axis of said elongated, flexible probe.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 106 words

An ultrasonic medical device for removing an occlusion in a blood vessel comprising: an elongated, flexible probe having a first terminus, a second terminus and a longitudinal axis therebetween; and a transducer coupled to said elongated, flexible probe at said first terminus wherein said transducer is capable of vibrating at an ultrasonic frequency to enable a translation of an acoustical energy from said transducer to said elongated, flexible probe, causing a transverse vibration along at least a portion of said longitudinal axis of said elongated, flexible probe creating an occlusion destroying effect along at least a portion of said longitudinal axis of said elongated, flexible probe.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 24 words

The ultrasonic device of claim 19 further comprising a sheath assembly adapted to said elongated, flexible probe consisting of an at least one sheath.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 19 words

The ultrasonic medical device of claim 20 wherein said sheath assembly further comprises an at least one irrigation channel.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 19 words

The ultrasonic medical device of claim 20 wherein said sheath assembly further comprises an at least one aspiration channel.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 23 words

The ultrasonic medical device of claim 20 wherein said sheath assembly further comprises an at least one channel for delivering a drug therethrough.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 16 words

The ultrasonic medical device of claim 20 wherein said sheath assembly further comprises an imaging device.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 15 words

The ultrasonic medical device of claim 20 wherein a flexibility of said elongated, flexible probe.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 37 words

The ultrasonic medical device of claim 19 further comprising a balloon catheter engaging at least a portion of said elongated, flexible probe, said balloon catheter capable of being engaged to an inflation apparatus and a deflation apparatus.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 25 words

The ultrasonic medical device of claim 26 further comprising a sheath assembly engaged to said elongated, flexible probe consisting of an at least one sheath.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 46 words

The ultrasonic medical device of claim 19 wherein said transverse vibrations along at least a portion of said longitudinal axis of said elongated, flexible probe creates a plurality of nodes of cavitation-energy along at least a portion of said longitudinal axis of said elongated, flexible probe.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 31 words

The ultrasonic medical device according to claim 28 wherein said nodes of cavitation energy are capable of disrupting an occlusive materials within said blood vessel and causing fragmentation of said materials.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 35 words

The ultrasonic medical device according to claim 28 wherein said nodes of cavitation energy is capable of effectuating retrograde flow of said fragmented occlusive materials away from said second terminus of said elongated, flexible probe.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 101 words

An ultrasonic medical device comprising: an elongated flexible probe with a plurality of intervals each having a varying diameter along a longitudinal axis of the elongated, flexible probe; a first terminus of the longitudinal axis having a largest diameter of the elongated, flexible probe; and a second terminus of the longitudinal axis having a smallest diameter of the elongated, flexible probe; wherein the elongated, flexible probe can support a transverse ultrasonic vibration along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis that causes an occlusion destroying effect along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis of the elongated, flexible probe.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 101 words

An ultrasonic medical device comprising: an elongated flexible probe with a plurality of intervals each having a varying diameter along a longitudinal axis of the elongated, flexible probe; a first terminus of the longitudinal axis having a largest diameter of the elongated, flexible probe; and a second terminus of the longitudinal axis having a smallest diameter of the elongated, flexible probe; wherein the elongated, flexible probe can support a transverse ultrasonic vibration along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis that causes an occlusion destroying effect along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis of the elongated, flexible probe.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 14 words

The ultrasonic medical device of claim 31 wherein the elongated, flexible probe is disposable.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 29 words

The ultrasonic medical device of claim 31 wherein a diameter transition is located between each of the plurality of intervals along the longitudinal axis of the elongated, flexible probe.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 35 words

The ultrasonic medical device of claim 31 wherein the diameter of the elongated, flexible probe decreases in gradual steps at the intervals from the first terminus to the second terminus of the elongated, flexible probe.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 42 words

The ultrasonic medical device of claim 31 wherein the diameter of the elongated, flexible probe decreases from the first terminus of the longitudinal axis of the elongated, flexible probe to the second terminus of the longitudinal axis of the elongated, flexible probe.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 12 words

The ultrasonic medical device of claim 31 further comprising a disposable sheath.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 20 words

The ultrasonic medical device of claim 31 wherein a flexibility of the elongated probe allows the probe to be articulated.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2006-11-24	2007-05-26	2007-11-25	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2010-11-24	2011-05-26	2011-11-25	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2014-11-24	2015-05-26	2015-11-25	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Apparatus and method of removing occlusions using ultrasonic medical device operating in a transverse mode

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