Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
An ultrasonic catheter for removing obstructions from tubular anatomical structures such as blood vessels, said ultrasonic catheter comprising: an elongate flexible catheter body having a proximal end, a distal end and at least one lumen extending longitudinally therethrough; an ultrasound transmission member extending longitudinally through said lumen of said catheter body, said ultrasound transmission member having a proximal end connectable to a separate ultrasound generating device and a distal end terminating adjacent the distal end of said catheter body; said ultrasound transmission member comprising a metal wire having an outer surface, and further comprising a friction-reducing coating applied on the outer surface of the metal wire.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
An ultrasonic catheter for removing obstructions from tubular anatomical structures such as blood vessels, said ultrasonic catheter comprising: an elongate flexible catheter body having a proximal end, a distal end and at least one lumen extending longitudinally therethrough; an ultrasound transmission member extending longitudinally through said lumen of said catheter body, said ultrasound transmission member having a proximal end connectable to a separate ultrasound generating device and a distal end terminating adjacent the distal end of said catheter body; said ultrasound transmission member comprising a metal wire having an outer surface, and further comprising a friction-reducing coating applied on the outer surface of the metal wire.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The ultrasonic catheter of claim 1 wherein said coating comprises a polymeric material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The ultrasonic catheter of claim 2 wherein said coating comprises polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The ultrasonic catheter of claim 2 wherein said coating comprises polyethylene.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The ultrasonic catheter of claim 1 wherein said coating comprises a tubular jacket surrounding at least a portion of said ultrasound transmission member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The ultrasonic catheter of claim 1 wherein said coating extends over the entire length of said ultrasound transmission member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The ultrasonic catheter of claim 1 wherein said coating covers less than the entire longitudinal length of said ultrasound transmission member,
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The ultrasonic catheter of claim 1 wherein said coating covers discrete regions of said ultrasound transmission member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
99 words
An ultrasonic catheter for removing obstructions from tubular anatomical structures such as blood vessels, said ultrasonic catheter comprising: an elongate flexible catheter body having a proximal end, a distal end and at least one lumen extending longitudinally therethrough; an ultrasound transmission member extending longitudinally through said lumen of said catheter body, said ultrasound transmission member having a proximal end connectable to a separate ultrasound generating device and a distal end terminating adjacent the distal end of said catheter body; said ultrasound transmission member comprising a metal wire having a friction-reducing liquid applied thereon and then subsequently allowed to harden.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
99 words
An ultrasonic catheter for removing obstructions from tubular anatomical structures such as blood vessels, said ultrasonic catheter comprising: an elongate flexible catheter body having a proximal end, a distal end and at least one lumen extending longitudinally therethrough; an ultrasound transmission member extending longitudinally through said lumen of said catheter body, said ultrasound transmission member having a proximal end connectable to a separate ultrasound generating device and a distal end terminating adjacent the distal end of said catheter body; said ultrasound transmission member comprising a metal wire having a friction-reducing liquid applied thereon and then subsequently allowed to harden.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The ultrasonic catheter of claim 9 wherein said liquid extends over the entire length of said ultrasound transmission member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The ultrasonic catheter of claim 9 wherein said liquid covers less than the entire longitudinal length of said ultrasound transmission member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The ultrasonic catheter of claim 9 wherein said liquid covers discrete regions of said ultrasound transmission member.