US20040097995A1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method of use for agent delivery and revascularizing of grafts and vessels
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 2003-09-18
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2023-09-18
Abstract
Abstract A system and method for opening a lumen in an occluded blood vessel, e.g., a coronary bypass graft, of a living being. The system comprises an atherectomy catheter having a working head, e.g., a rotary impacting impeller, and a debris extraction subsystem. The atherectomy catheter is located within a guide catheter. The working head is arranged to operate on, e.g., impact, the occlusive material in the occluded vessel to open a lumen therein, whereupon some debris may be produced. The debris extraction subsystem introduces an infusate liquid at a first flow rate adjacent the working head and withdraws that liquid and some blood at a second and higher flow rate, through the guide catheter to create a differential flow adjacent the working head, whereupon the debris is withdrawn in the infusate liquid and blood for collection outside the being's body. The introduction of the infusate liquid may also be used to establish an unbalanced flow adjacent the working head to enable the atherectomy catheter to be steered hydrodynamically. A guide wire having an inflatable balloon on its distal end may be used with the atherectomy catheter to block the flow of debris distally, while enabling distal tissues to be perfused with an oxygenating liquid. At least one flow control port may be provided in the guide catheter to prevent collapse of the vessel being revascularized. A cradle is provided to fix the guide catheter and guide wire in position within the body of the being while enabling the atherectomy catheter to be advanced along the guide wire and through the guide catheter.
Inventors
- 👤 John Nash
- 👤 William Fisher
- 👤 Charles Dodson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 22:07
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/32; A61B17/3203; A61B17/32037; A61B17/3205; A61B17/3207; A61B17/320758; A61B17/22; A61B2017/22038; A61B2017/22047; A61B2017/22048; A61B2017/22051; A61B2017/22065; A61B2017/22067; A61B2217/00; A61B2217/002; A61B2217/005; A61B2217/007; A61M; A61M1/00; A61M1/71; A61M1/77; A61M1/84; A61M1/85; A61M25/00; A61M25/10; A61M2025/1043; A61M2025/1095; A61M2205/00; A61M2205/05; A61M5/00; A61M5/14; A61M5/142; A61M5/14212; A61M5/14232
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 93
Claim 1
Independent Claim
244 words
1 . An lumen opening device for treatment of a lumen in a blood vessel portion of a living being's vascular system, said device comprising an outer catheter and an instrument having an inner catheter, a working head, and pump means comprising at least one helical pump, wherein said instrument is arranged to be extended through said outer catheter to form a passageway therebetween, said working head of said instrument is arranged to operate on occlusive material in a blood vessel's interior portion to open a lumen therein for the freer flow of blood therethrough, whereupon some debris may be produced by the operation of said working head, wherein said inner catheter comprises a jacket having proximal and distal ends, and further wherein said inner catheter is flexible to permit navigation through tortuous paths of vasculature, said helical pump being disposed in said jacket in such a way as to form an annulus therebetween, said pump means being capable of introducing an infusate liquid at a first flow rate at said working head and withdrawing said liquid at a second and higher flow rate to create a differential flow in said lumen, whereupon at least a portion of any debris produced by the operation of said working head is thereby withdrawn by said at least one helical pump through said passageway for collection remote from the occluded vessel portion and is thereby prevented from flowing into any upstream blood vessel or downstream blood vessel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
244 words
1 . An lumen opening device for treatment of a lumen in a blood vessel portion of a living being's vascular system, said device comprising an outer catheter and an instrument having an inner catheter, a working head, and pump means comprising at least one helical pump, wherein said instrument is arranged to be extended through said outer catheter to form a passageway therebetween, said working head of said instrument is arranged to operate on occlusive material in a blood vessel's interior portion to open a lumen therein for the freer flow of blood therethrough, whereupon some debris may be produced by the operation of said working head, wherein said inner catheter comprises a jacket having proximal and distal ends, and further wherein said inner catheter is flexible to permit navigation through tortuous paths of vasculature, said helical pump being disposed in said jacket in such a way as to form an annulus therebetween, said pump means being capable of introducing an infusate liquid at a first flow rate at said working head and withdrawing said liquid at a second and higher flow rate to create a differential flow in said lumen, whereupon at least a portion of any debris produced by the operation of said working head is thereby withdrawn by said at least one helical pump through said passageway for collection remote from the occluded vessel portion and is thereby prevented from flowing into any upstream blood vessel or downstream blood vessel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
2 . The intravascular device of claim 1 wherein said at least one helical pump also serves as a helical drive cable.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
3 . The intravascular device of claim 2 wherein said helical drive cable comprises a two start helical spring.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
4 . The intravascular device of claim 2 wherein said helical drive cable is arranged with variable pitch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
5 . The intravascular device of claim 1 wherein said inner catheter comprises an introducer sheath or guide catheter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
6 . The intravascular device of claim 1 wherein said infusate comprises therapy means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
7 . The intravascular device of claim 6 wherein said therapy means comprises a drug, pharmaceutical, a biologically active material, or microspheres carrying chemicals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
8 . The intravascular device of claim 7 wherein said biologically active material comprises a growth factor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
9 . The intravascular device of claim 7 wherein said drug comprises heparin or urokinase.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
10 . The intravascular device of claim 1 additionally comprising a debris blocking member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
11 . The intravascular device of claim 10 wherein said debris blocking member comprises a balloon.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
12 . The intravascular device of claim 1 wherein said infusate liquid is introduced adjacent said working head.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
13 . The intravascular device of claim 1 wherein said infusate liquid exits said working head.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
14 . The intravascular device of claim 13 wherein said working head is rotatable.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
15 . The intravascular device of claim 13 wherein said working head is arranged to introduce said infusate liquid in the form of liquid jets.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
16 . The intravascular device of claim 13 wherein said helical pump also serves as a helical drive cable.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
17 . The intravascular device of claim 15 wherein said working head does not engage occlusive material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
18 . The intravascular device of claim 1 wherein said working head is arranged to introduce said infusate liquid in the form of liquid jets.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
19 . The intravascular device of claim 1 wherein said working head comprises an occlusion opening device.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
20 . The intravascular device of claim 2 wherein said working head comprises an occlusion opening device.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
36 words
21 . The intravascular device of claim 19 wherein said occlusion opening device comprises a balloon angioplasty catheter, an ultrasonic catheter, a laser catheter, a stent-delivery catheter, a rotary abrasive head, or a rotary cutting head.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
36 words
22 . The intravascular device of claim 20 wherein said occlusion opening device comprises a balloon angioplasty catheter, an ultrasonic catheter, a laser catheter, a stent-delivery catheter, a rotary abrasive head, or a rotary cutting head.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
23 . The intravascular device of claim 22 wherein said rotary cutting head comprises an impeller.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
35 words
24 . The intravascular device of claim 20 wherein said working head comprises a balloon angioplasty catheter, an ultrasonic catheter, a laser catheter, a stent-delivery catheter, a rotary abrasive head, or a rotary cutting head.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
25 . The intravascular device of claim 23 wherein said impeller is arranged to be rotated by said helical drive cable.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
31 words
26 . The intravascular device of claim 25 wherein said instrument further comprises a proximal end, a distal end, and a shroud, wherein said shroud is attached to said distal end.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
27 words
27 . The intravascular device of claim 26 wherein said shroud is arranged to at least partially cover said working head, and said shroud comprises an opening.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
28 . The intravascular device of claim 27 wherein said impeller projects out of said opening.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
21 words
29 . The intravascular device of claim 27 wherein any debris produced is progressively reduced in size until it is aspirated.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
14 words
30 . The intravascular device of claim 29 wherein said infusate expedites the treatment.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
218 words
31 . An intravascular system for treating a lumen in a portion of blood vessel of a living being's vascular system, said blood vessel being occluded by an occlusive material, said intravascular system comprising a lumen-opening member for introduction into the lumen of the blood vessel, debris blocking means, and pump means, said lumen-opening member being arranged to act on the occlusive material in the interior of the occluded blood vessel to open the lumen for the freer flow of blood therethrough, said lumen opening member comprising a working head, whereupon some debris may be produced from the occlusive material by the action of said lumen-opening member, said debris blocking means being arranged to be located within the occluded blood vessel distally of said lumen opening member for preventing debris from flowing distally of said debris blocking means, said pump means introducing an infusate liquid at a first flow rate and withdrawing said liquid at a second and higher flow rate to create a differential flow adjacent said lumen-opening member, said infusate liquid comprising therapy means, whereupon any debris produced by the action of said lumen-opening member is withdrawn with said liquid by said differential flow for collection remote from the occluded vessel portion and is prevented from flowing into any upstream blood vessel or downstream blood vessel.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
218 words
31 . An intravascular system for treating a lumen in a portion of blood vessel of a living being's vascular system, said blood vessel being occluded by an occlusive material, said intravascular system comprising a lumen-opening member for introduction into the lumen of the blood vessel, debris blocking means, and pump means, said lumen-opening member being arranged to act on the occlusive material in the interior of the occluded blood vessel to open the lumen for the freer flow of blood therethrough, said lumen opening member comprising a working head, whereupon some debris may be produced from the occlusive material by the action of said lumen-opening member, said debris blocking means being arranged to be located within the occluded blood vessel distally of said lumen opening member for preventing debris from flowing distally of said debris blocking means, said pump means introducing an infusate liquid at a first flow rate and withdrawing said liquid at a second and higher flow rate to create a differential flow adjacent said lumen-opening member, said infusate liquid comprising therapy means, whereupon any debris produced by the action of said lumen-opening member is withdrawn with said liquid by said differential flow for collection remote from the occluded vessel portion and is prevented from flowing into any upstream blood vessel or downstream blood vessel.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
35 words
32 . The intravascular system of claim 31 wherein said intravascular system comprises a catheter, and wherein said infusate liquid and the debris therein are withdrawn from the occluded blood vessel portion through said catheter.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
23 words
33 . The intravascular system of claim 31 wherein said therapy comprises a drug, pharmaceutical, a biologically active material, or microspheres carrying chemicals.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
17 words
34 . The intravascular system of claim 33 wherein said biologically active material comprises a growth factor.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
15 words
35 . The intravascular system of claim 33 wherein said drug comprises heparin or urokinase.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
18 words
36 . The intravascular system of claim 31 wherein said infusate liquid is introduced adjacent said working head.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
16 words
37 . The intravascular system of claim 31 wherein said infusate liquid exits said working head.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
16 words
38 . The intravascular system of claim 32 wherein said infusate liquid exits said working head.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
25 words
39 . The intravascular system of claim 38 wherein said working head is arranged to introduce said infusate liquid in the form of liquid jets.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
17 words
40 . The intravascular system of claim 39 wherein said working head does not engage occlusive material.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
18 words
41 . The intravascular system of claim 40 , wherein said working head further comprises a thrombectomy device.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
14 words
42 . The intravascular system of claim 41 , wherein said therapy comprises urokinase.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
25 words
43 . The intravascular system of claim 31 wherein said working head is arranged to introduce said infusate liquid in the form of liquid jets.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
17 words
44 . The intravascular system of claim 31 wherein said working head comprises any occlusion opening device.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
37 words
45 . The intravascular system of claim 44 wherein said device comprises a balloon angioplasty catheter, an ultrasonic catheter, a laser catheter, a stent-delivery catheter, a thrombectomy device, a rotary abrasive head, or a rotary cutting head.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
16 words
46 . The intravascular system of claim 31 wherein said working head comprises an ultrasonic catheter.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
17 words
47 . The intravascular system of claim 32 wherein said intravascular system additionally comprises a second catheter.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
21 words
48 . The intravascular system of claim 47 wherein said second catheter is arranged to deliver said infusate or irrigation liquid.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
183 words
49 . An intravascular system for treating a lumen in a blood vessel of a living being, the blood vessel being occluded by an occlusive material therein, said intravascular system comprising a working head, a pump means, and barrier means, said working head being arranged to operate on the occlusive material in the interior of the occluded blood vessel to open a lumen therein for the freer flow of fluid therethrough, whereupon some debris maybe produced from the occlusive material by the operation of said working head, said barrier means being arranged for location downstream of said working head and activatable to restrict the flow of the debris downstream of said barrier means, said pump means introducing an infusate liquid at a first flow rate at said working head and withdrawing said liquid at a second flow rate higher than said first flow rate, thereby creating a differential flow, said infusate liquid comprising therapy means, whereupon any debris produced by the operation of said working head is withdrawn with said liquid by said pump means for collection remote from the occluded vessel portion.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
183 words
49 . An intravascular system for treating a lumen in a blood vessel of a living being, the blood vessel being occluded by an occlusive material therein, said intravascular system comprising a working head, a pump means, and barrier means, said working head being arranged to operate on the occlusive material in the interior of the occluded blood vessel to open a lumen therein for the freer flow of fluid therethrough, whereupon some debris maybe produced from the occlusive material by the operation of said working head, said barrier means being arranged for location downstream of said working head and activatable to restrict the flow of the debris downstream of said barrier means, said pump means introducing an infusate liquid at a first flow rate at said working head and withdrawing said liquid at a second flow rate higher than said first flow rate, thereby creating a differential flow, said infusate liquid comprising therapy means, whereupon any debris produced by the operation of said working head is withdrawn with said liquid by said pump means for collection remote from the occluded vessel portion.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
16 words
50 . The intravascular system of claim 49 wherein said barrier means comprises an expandable member.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
15 words
51 . The intravascular system of claim 50 wherein said expandable member comprises a balloon.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
23 words
52 . The intravascular system of claim 49 wherein said therapy comprises a drug, pharmaceutical, a biologically active material, or microspheres carrying chemicals.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
17 words
53 . The intravascular system of claim 52 wherein said biologically active material comprises a growth factor.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
15 words
54 . The intravascular system of claim 52 wherein said drug comprises heparin or urokinase.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
50 words
55 . The intravascular system of claim 49 wherein said system additionally comprises a flexible instrument and wherein said working head comprises a portion of said instrument, said instrument being arranged to be passed through the being's body so that said working head is located adjacent the occluded vessel portion.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
26 words
56 . The intravascular system of claim 55 wherein said barrier means forms a portion of a guide wire, said guide wire extending through said instrument.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
24 words
57 . The intravascular system of claim 56 wherein said guide wire is arranged to provide a perfusion liquid downstream of said barrier means.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
16 words
58 . The intravascular system of claim 56 wherein said barrier means comprises an expandable member.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
19 words
59 . The intravascular system of claim 57 wherein said perfusion liquid comprises said infusate, blood, or oxygenated liquid.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
13 words
60 . The intravascular system of claim 59 wherein said infusate is oxygenated.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
28 words
61 . The intravascular system of claim 57 wherein said perfusion liquid comprises said infusate liquid and said therapy comprises a drug, pharmaceutical, or a biologically active material.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
17 words
62 . The intravascular system of claim 61 wherein said biologically active material comprises a growth factor.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
15 words
63 . The intravascular system of claim 61 wherein said drug comprises heparin or urokinase.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
15 words
64 . The intravascular system of claim 58 wherein said expandable member comprises a balloon.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
18 words
65 . The intravascular system of claim 49 wherein said infusate liquid is introduced adjacent said working head.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
16 words
66 . The intravascular system of claim 49 wherein said infusate liquid exits said working head.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
25 words
67 . The intravascular system of claim 66 wherein said working head is arranged to introduce said infusate liquid in the form of liquid jets.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
17 words
68 . The intravascular system of claim 67 wherein said working head does not engage occlusive material.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
17 words
69 . The intravascular system of claim 68 wherein said working head further comprises a thrombectomy device.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
13 words
70 . The intravascular system of claim 49 wherein said therapy comprises urokinase.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
38 words
71 . The intravascular system of claim 49 wherein said working head comprises a balloon angioplasty catheter, an ultrasonic catheter, a laser catheter, a stent-delivery catheter, a thrombectomy device, a rotary abrasive head, or a rotary cutting head.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
16 words
72 . The intravascular system of claim 55 wherein said working head comprises an ultrasonic catheter.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
219 words
73 . A method for treating a lumen in a portion of a blood vessel of a living being's vascular system, the blood vessel portion being occluded by an occlusive material, the occluded blood vessel portion being located distally of a patent blood vessel portion, said method comprising: (a) extending a first catheter through said patent blood vessel portion into said occluded blood vessel portion, said first catheter having a distal end portion and a port located proximally of said distal end portion; (b) extending a second catheter through said first catheter so that a working portion of said second catheter is located in the occluded blood vessel portion; (c) blocking the occluded blood vessel portion distally of said working portion of said second catheter; (d) using said second catheter to open a lumen in the occluded portion of the blood vessel for the freer flow of blood therethrough; (e) introducing an infusate into said occluded blood vessel portion and withdrawing said infusate and any debris produced by the opening of the occluded portion of the blood vessel through a passageway in said first catheter, wherein said infusate comprises therapy means; and (f) providing a path for blood from the patent blood vessel portion to flow through said port into said passageway for merger with said infusate and debris.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
219 words
73 . A method for treating a lumen in a portion of a blood vessel of a living being's vascular system, the blood vessel portion being occluded by an occlusive material, the occluded blood vessel portion being located distally of a patent blood vessel portion, said method comprising: (a) extending a first catheter through said patent blood vessel portion into said occluded blood vessel portion, said first catheter having a distal end portion and a port located proximally of said distal end portion; (b) extending a second catheter through said first catheter so that a working portion of said second catheter is located in the occluded blood vessel portion; (c) blocking the occluded blood vessel portion distally of said working portion of said second catheter; (d) using said second catheter to open a lumen in the occluded portion of the blood vessel for the freer flow of blood therethrough; (e) introducing an infusate into said occluded blood vessel portion and withdrawing said infusate and any debris produced by the opening of the occluded portion of the blood vessel through a passageway in said first catheter, wherein said infusate comprises therapy means; and (f) providing a path for blood from the patent blood vessel portion to flow through said port into said passageway for merger with said infusate and debris.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
22 words
74 . The method of claim 73 wherein said therapy comprises a drug, pharmaceutical, a biologically active material, or microspheres carrying chemicals.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
16 words
75 . The method of claim 74 wherein said biologically active material comprises a growth factor.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
14 words
76 . The method of claim 74 wherein said drug comprises heparin or urokinase.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
44 words
77 . The method of claim 73 additionally comprising the step of: (g) introducing a third catheter through said first catheter, said third catheter being arranged to carry a stent into the lumen formed in the occluded blood vessel to hold said lumen open.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
36 words
78 . The method of claim 73 additionally comprising the steps of: (g) extending a third catheter through said first catheter, said third catheter being arranged for introducing said infusate into said occluded blood vessel portion.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
229 words
79 . A method for treating a lumen in a portion of a blood vessel of a living being's vascular system, the blood vessel being occluded by an occlusive material, the blood vessel being located distally of a patent blood vessel, said method comprising: (a) extending a first catheter through said patent blood vessel portion into said occluded blood vessel portion, said first catheter having a distal end portion and a port located proximally of said distal end portion; (c) blocking the flow of blood and debris distally of said working head; (b) providing a vessel-opening catheter having a working head, and extending said vessel-opening catheter through said first catheter so that said working head is located in the occluded blood vessel portion, said first catheter and said vessel-opening catheter defining a passageway therebetween; (d) operating said working head to open the occluded blood vessel portion for the freer flow of blood therethrough; (e) introducing an infusate comprising a therapy means at a first flow rate adjacent said working head and withdrawing said infusate at a second and higher flow rate to create a differential flow adjacent said working head, whereupon blocked debris is withdrawn with said infusate for passage proximally through said passageway; and (f) providing a path for blood within said patent blood vessel portion to flow into said passageway for merger with said infusate and debris.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
229 words
79 . A method for treating a lumen in a portion of a blood vessel of a living being's vascular system, the blood vessel being occluded by an occlusive material, the blood vessel being located distally of a patent blood vessel, said method comprising: (a) extending a first catheter through said patent blood vessel portion into said occluded blood vessel portion, said first catheter having a distal end portion and a port located proximally of said distal end portion; (c) blocking the flow of blood and debris distally of said working head; (b) providing a vessel-opening catheter having a working head, and extending said vessel-opening catheter through said first catheter so that said working head is located in the occluded blood vessel portion, said first catheter and said vessel-opening catheter defining a passageway therebetween; (d) operating said working head to open the occluded blood vessel portion for the freer flow of blood therethrough; (e) introducing an infusate comprising a therapy means at a first flow rate adjacent said working head and withdrawing said infusate at a second and higher flow rate to create a differential flow adjacent said working head, whereupon blocked debris is withdrawn with said infusate for passage proximally through said passageway; and (f) providing a path for blood within said patent blood vessel portion to flow into said passageway for merger with said infusate and debris.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
22 words
80 . The method of claim 79 wherein said therapy comprises a drug, pharmaceutical, a biologically active material, or microspheres carrying chemicals.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
16 words
81 . The method of claim 80 wherein said biologically active material comprises a growth factor.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
14 words
82 . The method of claim 80 wherein said drug comprises heparin or urokinase.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
215 words
83 . A method for treating a lumen in a portion of a blood vessel of a living being's vascular system, the blood vessel being occluded by an occlusive material, the occluded blood vessel being located distally of a patent blood vessel portion, said method comprising: (a) extending a guide catheter through said patent blood vessel portion into said occluded blood vessel portion; (b) extending a lumen-opening catheter having a working head through said guide catheter so that said working head is located in the occluded blood vessel portion, said guide catheter and said lumen-opening catheter defining a fluid-flow passageway therebetween; (c) blocking the flow distal of said working head of blood and any debris created; (d) operating said working head to open the lumen for the freer flow of blood therethrough, wherein said operation comprises introducing an infusate at a first flow rate at said working head and withdrawing said infusate at a second and higher flow rate to create a differential flow at said working head, whereupon debris is withdrawn with said infusate for passage proximally through said fluid-flow passageway, wherein said infusate comprises therapy means; and (e) providing a path for blood within the patent blood vessel portion to flow into said fluid-flow passageway for merger with said infusate and the debris.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
215 words
83 . A method for treating a lumen in a portion of a blood vessel of a living being's vascular system, the blood vessel being occluded by an occlusive material, the occluded blood vessel being located distally of a patent blood vessel portion, said method comprising: (a) extending a guide catheter through said patent blood vessel portion into said occluded blood vessel portion; (b) extending a lumen-opening catheter having a working head through said guide catheter so that said working head is located in the occluded blood vessel portion, said guide catheter and said lumen-opening catheter defining a fluid-flow passageway therebetween; (c) blocking the flow distal of said working head of blood and any debris created; (d) operating said working head to open the lumen for the freer flow of blood therethrough, wherein said operation comprises introducing an infusate at a first flow rate at said working head and withdrawing said infusate at a second and higher flow rate to create a differential flow at said working head, whereupon debris is withdrawn with said infusate for passage proximally through said fluid-flow passageway, wherein said infusate comprises therapy means; and (e) providing a path for blood within the patent blood vessel portion to flow into said fluid-flow passageway for merger with said infusate and the debris.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
22 words
84 . The method of claim 83 wherein said therapy comprises a drug, pharmaceutical, a biologically active material, or microspheres carrying chemicals.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
16 words
85 . The method of claim 84 wherein said biologically active material comprises a growth factor.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
14 words
86 . The method of claim 84 wherein said drug comprises heparin or urokinase.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
24 words
87 . The method of claim 83 wherein said working head is arranged to introduce said infusate liquid in the form of liquid jets.
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