US4998933A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermal angioplasty catheter and method
Assignee: Arthrocare Corp
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Filing: 1988-06-10
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Granted: 1991-03-12
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Expires: 2008-06-10
Abstract
Abstract This invention provides a method and apparatus for selectively heating an atheromatous mass which partially or fully occludes a particular blood vessel. As a result, the occlusive mass is effectively softened or weakened, allowing the occlusive mass to be more readily recanalized by expansion of a balloon or other dilitation means. This invention also provides a method and apparatus for effectively boring through a partially or fully occluded blood vessel by simultaneously applying both (1) heat to the occlusive mass surrounding the tip of the catheter and (2) pressure against the mass within the partially or fully occluded blood vessel.
Inventors
- 👤 Philip E. Eggers
- 👤 Hira V. Thapliyal
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:17
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1492; A61B18/1402; A61B17/00; A61B2017/00017; A61B2017/00022; A61B2017/00084; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00292; A61B17/22; A61B2017/22001; A61B2017/22038; A61B2017/22051; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00214; A61B2018/0022; A61B2018/00636; A61B2018/00642; A61B2018/00773; A61B2018/00791; A61B18/1206; A61B2018/1246; A61B2018/126; A61B18/16; A61B2018/162; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/10; A61M25/104
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
In an angioplasty catheter having a dilation means, the improvement comprising: a first electrode located on an extensible guidewire; second electrode located at a distal end of said catheter electrically insulated from said first electrode; a third electrode located at a distal end of said dilation means electrically insulated from said first and second electrodes; a fourth electrode located at a proximal end of said dilation means electrically insulated from said first, second, and third electrodes; whereby said guidewire comprises said first electrode; whereby said second, third, and fourth electrodes are annular metallic regions having a wire extending therefrom; means for selectively communicating an electric current to said electrodes to thereby cause heating of a resistive mass located between said electrodes; whereby said means for communicating an electric current to said second, third, and fourth electrodes comprises at least one wire contained within the catheter; and whereby said guidewire comprises said means for communicating an electric current to said first electrode.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
In an angioplasty catheter having a dilation means, the improvement comprising: a first electrode located on an extensible guidewire; second electrode located at a distal end of said catheter electrically insulated from said first electrode; a third electrode located at a distal end of said dilation means electrically insulated from said first and second electrodes; a fourth electrode located at a proximal end of said dilation means electrically insulated from said first, second, and third electrodes; whereby said guidewire comprises said first electrode; whereby said second, third, and fourth electrodes are annular metallic regions having a wire extending therefrom; means for selectively communicating an electric current to said electrodes to thereby cause heating of a resistive mass located between said electrodes; whereby said means for communicating an electric current to said second, third, and fourth electrodes comprises at least one wire contained within the catheter; and whereby said guidewire comprises said means for communicating an electric current to said first electrode.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
57 words
A method of boring through an arteriosclerotic obstruction or a portion thereof, the method comprising the steps of: positioning a first electrode on a guidewire of a catheter against said obstruction; inserting a second electrode into or through said obstruction; conducting a high frequency current between said electrodes through said obstruction; and exerting pressure against said obstruction.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
57 words
A method of boring through an arteriosclerotic obstruction or a portion thereof, the method comprising the steps of: positioning a first electrode on a guidewire of a catheter against said obstruction; inserting a second electrode into or through said obstruction; conducting a high frequency current between said electrodes through said obstruction; and exerting pressure against said obstruction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
145 words
A catheter comprising: a catheter member; dilitation means affixed to the catheter member; a guidewire extending through the catheter member; a first electrode affixed to the guidewire; a second electrode affixed to the catheter member and electrically isolated from the first electrode; means for selectively communicating an electric current to the first and the second electrodes to thereby cause heating of a resistive mass therebetween; a third electrode affixed to the catheter at a distal end of the dilitation means, the third electrode insulated from each of the first and the second electrodes; a fourth electrode affixed to the catheter at a proximal end of the dilitation means, the fourth electrode electrically insulated from each of the first, second and third electrodes; and means for selectively communicating an electric current to the third and fourth electrodes to thereby cause heating of a resistive mass therebetween.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
145 words
A catheter comprising: a catheter member; dilitation means affixed to the catheter member; a guidewire extending through the catheter member; a first electrode affixed to the guidewire; a second electrode affixed to the catheter member and electrically isolated from the first electrode; means for selectively communicating an electric current to the first and the second electrodes to thereby cause heating of a resistive mass therebetween; a third electrode affixed to the catheter at a distal end of the dilitation means, the third electrode insulated from each of the first and the second electrodes; a fourth electrode affixed to the catheter at a proximal end of the dilitation means, the fourth electrode electrically insulated from each of the first, second and third electrodes; and means for selectively communicating an electric current to the third and fourth electrodes to thereby cause heating of a resistive mass therebetween.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
A catheter as in claim 3 wherein the third electrode extends annularly around a circumferential portion of the catheter member; and the fourth electrode extends annularly around a circumferential portion of the catheter member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
155 words
A catheter comprising: at least four electrodes located on the catheter electrically insulated from each other, wherein the first and second electrodes extend circumferentially in an annular band around the periphery of the catheter, the first electrode is affixed to a guidewire extending through the catheter, the third electrode is affixed to the catheter at a distal end of a dilitation means, and the fourth electrode is affixed to the catheter at a proximal end of the dilitation means, and the catheter further comprising; a means for selectively communicating an electric current to the first and second electrodes to thereby cause heating of a resistive mass therebetween; a means for selectively communicating an electric current to the third and the fourth electrodes to thereby cause heating of a resistive mass therebetween; and a temperature-sensing means disposed proximate a distal end of the catheter for sensing temperature of regions surrounding the distal end of the catheter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
155 words
A catheter comprising: at least four electrodes located on the catheter electrically insulated from each other, wherein the first and second electrodes extend circumferentially in an annular band around the periphery of the catheter, the first electrode is affixed to a guidewire extending through the catheter, the third electrode is affixed to the catheter at a distal end of a dilitation means, and the fourth electrode is affixed to the catheter at a proximal end of the dilitation means, and the catheter further comprising; a means for selectively communicating an electric current to the first and second electrodes to thereby cause heating of a resistive mass therebetween; a means for selectively communicating an electric current to the third and the fourth electrodes to thereby cause heating of a resistive mass therebetween; and a temperature-sensing means disposed proximate a distal end of the catheter for sensing temperature of regions surrounding the distal end of the catheter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
130 words
An angioplasty catheter comprising: a catheter member; dilation means affixed to the catheter member; a guidewire extending through the catheter member; a first electrode affixed to the guidewire; a second electrode affixed to the catheter member and electrically isolated from the first electrode; a third electrode affixed to the catheter member at a distal end of the dilation means, the third electrode insulated from each of the first and the second electrodes; a fourth electrode affixed to the catheter at a proximal end of the dilation means, the fourth electrode insulated from each of the first, second and third electrodes; and means for selectively communicating an electric current to the first, second, third, and fourth electrodes to thereby cause heating of a resistive means disposed in proximity to the electrodes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
130 words
An angioplasty catheter comprising: a catheter member; dilation means affixed to the catheter member; a guidewire extending through the catheter member; a first electrode affixed to the guidewire; a second electrode affixed to the catheter member and electrically isolated from the first electrode; a third electrode affixed to the catheter member at a distal end of the dilation means, the third electrode insulated from each of the first and the second electrodes; a fourth electrode affixed to the catheter at a proximal end of the dilation means, the fourth electrode insulated from each of the first, second and third electrodes; and means for selectively communicating an electric current to the first, second, third, and fourth electrodes to thereby cause heating of a resistive means disposed in proximity to the electrodes.
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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) | 1994-03-11 | 1994-09-10 | 1995-03-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-03-11 | 1998-09-10 | 1999-03-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-03-11 | 2002-09-10 | 2003-03-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |