Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
In a device facilitating the exchange of dilatation catheters during an angioplasty procedure by the use of an exchange wire in which the exchange wire extends through the dilatation catheter into a predetermined position in a vessel of a patient, first means frictionally engaging the dilatation catheter for advancing or retracting the dilatation catheter, second means frictionally engaging the exchange wire for advancing or retracting the exchange wire, means for causing operation of said first and second friction means in substantial synchronism and causing movement of the dilatation catheter in one direction and the movement of the exchange wire in an opposite direction to form a loop of changing size of the catheter with the exchange wire therein while retaining the distal extremity of the exchange wire and the proximal extremity of the dilatation catheter in predetermined positions during the time that a dilatation catheter is being inserted or being removed from the vessel of the patient.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
157 words
In a device facilitating the exchange of dilatation catheters during an angioplasty procedure by the use of an exchange wire in which the exchange wire extends through the dilatation catheter into a predetermined position in a vessel of a patient, first means frictionally engaging the dilatation catheter for advancing or retracting the dilatation catheter, second means frictionally engaging the exchange wire for advancing or retracting the exchange wire, means for causing operation of said first and second friction means in substantial synchronism and causing movement of the dilatation catheter in one direction and the movement of the exchange wire in an opposite direction to form a loop of changing size of the catheter with the exchange wire therein while retaining the distal extremity of the exchange wire and the proximal extremity of the dilatation catheter in predetermined positions during the time that a dilatation catheter is being inserted or being removed from the vessel of the patient.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A device as in claim 1 in which the angioplasty assembly includes side adapters, together with a housing for mounting said first and second means, said means for causing operation of said first and second means and means for releasably securing the side arm adapters to the housing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
76 words
A device as in claim 2 wherein said first and second means includes first and second drive rollers and first and second idler rollers and means yieldably urging the idler rollers into engagement with the drive rollers wherein said means for causing operation of said first and second means includes a rotatable member and means interconnecting said rotatable member with said first and second drive rollers for causing rotation of said first and second drive rollers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A device as in claim 3 wherein said first and second drive rollers are positioned so that they cause movement of a dilatation catheter and the exchange wire in opposite directions upon rotation of the rotatable member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device as in claim 4 wherein said means for causing rotation of said first and second drive rollers includes synchronous drive means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device as in claim 5 together with a housing formed in two parts and wherein said synchronous drive means is disposed between the parts of the housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as in claim 6 wherein the synchronous drive means is a gear train.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device as in claim 3 together with means carried by the housing for yieldably urging the idler rollers into frictional engagement with the drive rollers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
A device as in claim 8 together with hand operated means carried by the housing for moving the idler rollers out of engagement with the drive rollers against the force of the yieldable means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device as in claim 3 together with means for guiding the dilatation catheter and the exchange wire into the drive roller and associated idler roller.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device as in claim 3 wherein the housing is elongate with a protrusion formed thereon and wherein the rotatable member is carried by the protrusion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
58 words
A device as in claim 2 wherein said means for retaining said side arm adapter on the housing includes means for limiting lateral movement of the side arm adapter on the housing and wherein the side arm includes a knob and means for engaging the knob for limiting movement of the side arm adapter longitudinally for the housing.