Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of percutaneous myocardial revascularization of the myocardium of the heart of a patient, comprising the steps of: inserting a guidable elongated flexible lasing apparatus into a patient's vasculature; guiding the distal end of said lasing apparatus to an area within the patient's heart; directing said distal end of said lasing apparatus to an area within the heart to be revascularized; and irradiating the inner wall of the heart with laser energy emitted from said distal end of said lasing apparatus with sufficient energy and for a sufficient time to cause a channel to be formed extending from the inner surface of the myocardium.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of percutaneous myocardial revascularization of the myocardium of the heart of a patient, comprising the steps of: inserting a guidable elongated flexible lasing apparatus into a patient's vasculature; guiding the distal end of said lasing apparatus to an area within the patient's heart; directing said distal end of said lasing apparatus to an area within the heart to be revascularized; and irradiating the inner wall of the heart with laser energy emitted from said distal end of said lasing apparatus with sufficient energy and for a sufficient time to cause a channel to be formed extending from the inner surface of the myocardium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 1 further including the steps of monitoring the systole and diastole of the heart cycle, and performing said step of irradiating the inner wall of the heart with laser energy in a plurality of pulses during systole of the heart cycle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1, further including guiding said lasing apparatus through a deflectable guiding catheter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said channel is formed completely through the endocardium and partially through the myocardium of the heart.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of guiding said distal end of said lasing apparatus to an area within the patient's heart further comprises the steps of inserting a guidewire into that area and passing a catheter through which said lasing apparatus extends over said guidewire.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of improving the circulation of blood to the muscle of the heart of a patient, comprising the steps of: directing a means for forming a channel in the heart muscle into the patient's vasculature; guiding the distal end of said channel forming means to an area of interest within the patient's heart to which increased blood flow is desired; and controlling said channel forming means to create channels in the heart muscle in the area of interest.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of improving the circulation of blood to the muscle of the heart of a patient, comprising the steps of: directing a means for forming a channel in the heart muscle into the patient's vasculature; guiding the distal end of said channel forming means to an area of interest within the patient's heart to which increased blood flow is desired; and controlling said channel forming means to create channels in the heart muscle in the area of interest.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 6, wherein said channels are formed without perforating the exterior of the heart wall.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 6, wherein said channel forming means comprises an lasing apparatus, and said step of controlling said channel forming means comprises directing a laser energy emission in a concentrated beam from said lasing apparatus on the inner wall of the heart in the area of interest.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 6, further including the steps of monitoring the systole and diastole of the heart cycle, and performing said step of directing said laser energy emission on the inner wall of the heart in a plurality of pulses during systole of the heart cycle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 6, further including guiding said channel forming means through a deflectable guiding catheter.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 6, further including placing a guidewire into the patient's vasculature and guiding said channel forming means over said guidewire.