US5507731A — Rapid exchange segmented catheter

Claim 1

Independent Claim 87 words

An intravascular catheter which comprises proximal and distal ends, said catheter comprising a plurality of segments having connectors which are secured together in end-to-end relation, but which connectors are separable by the user to form separated segments while the distal catheter end is in an inserted position in the vascular system of a patient, said catheter further defining a distal catheter segment connected to an inflation lumen, and said inflation lumen comprises a separate tube that is unconnected to said segments other than the distal catheter segment.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 87 words

An intravascular catheter which comprises proximal and distal ends, said catheter comprising a plurality of segments having connectors which are secured together in end-to-end relation, but which connectors are separable by the user to form separated segments while the distal catheter end is in an inserted position in the vascular system of a patient, said catheter further defining a distal catheter segment connected to an inflation lumen, and said inflation lumen comprises a separate tube that is unconnected to said segments other than the distal catheter segment.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 38 words

The catheter of claim 1 in which said segments can be connected together from a separate relation to form said catheter while the distal catheter end is in an inserted position in the vascular system of a patient.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 15 words

The catheter of claim 1 in which said segments connect together with a screw-threaded connection.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 14 words

The catheter of claim 1, which said segments connect together with a snap-fit connection.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 17 words

The catheter of claim 1 in which said segments connect together with a twist locking slot-type connection.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 15 words

The catheter of claim 1 in which said segments connect together with a magnetic connection.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 15 words

The catheter of claim 1 in which said segments connect together with a screw-threaded connection.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 50 words

The catheter of claim 1 in which said catheter defines a distal catheter segment which carries a balloon connected to a first inflation lumen, said distal catheter segment being connected to another catheter segment having a second inflation lumen in a manner resulting in flow connection between said inflation lumens.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 84 words

An intravascular catheter which comprises proximal and distal ends; a balloon connected to an inflation lumen, said balloon being carried adjacent said distal end, said catheter comprising a plurality of segments having connectors which are secured together in end-to-end relation, but which are both separable into separated segments by the user, and said connectors also being connectable together by the user from a separate segment relation to form said catheter, while the distal catheter end is inserted into the vascular system of a patient.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 84 words

An intravascular catheter which comprises proximal and distal ends; a balloon connected to an inflation lumen, said balloon being carried adjacent said distal end, said catheter comprising a plurality of segments having connectors which are secured together in end-to-end relation, but which are both separable into separated segments by the user, and said connectors also being connectable together by the user from a separate segment relation to form said catheter, while the distal catheter end is inserted into the vascular system of a patient.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 28 words

The catheter of claim 9 in which said inflation lumen comprises a separate tube that is unconnected to said segments other than a segment which carries said balloon.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 15 words

The catheter of claim 9 in which said segments connect together with a screw-threaded relation.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 15 words

The catheter of claim 9 in which said segments connect together with a snap-fit connection.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 17 words

The connector of claim 9 in which said segments connect together with a twist locking slot-type connection.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 15 words

The connector of claim 9 in which said segments connect together with a magnetic connection.

Claim 17

Independent Claim 96 words

The method of removing an intravascular catheter from the vascular system of a patient, which catheter resides in the vascular system of said patient surrounding a guidewire, which comprises: grasping said catheter and grasping said guidewire; partially withdrawing said catheter out of the vascular system of the patient through the skin of the patient while restraining the guidewire from retracting movement; removing a proximally mounted section of said catheter from the remainder of said catheter, and separately sliding said catheter section off of the guidewire while substantially continuously grasping the guidewire to prevent retracting movement thereof.

Claim 18

Independent Claim 96 words

The method of removing an intravascular catheter from the vascular system of a patient, which catheter resides in the vascular system of said patient surrounding a guidewire, which comprises: grasping said catheter and grasping said guidewire; partially withdrawing said catheter out of the vascular system of the patient through the skin of the patient while restraining the guidewire from retracting movement; removing a proximally mounted section of said catheter from the remainder of said catheter, and separately sliding said catheter section off of the guidewire while substantially continuously grasping the guidewire to prevent retracting movement thereof.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 15 words

The method of claim 15 in which the entire catheter is removed, section by section.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 84 words

The method of claim 16 in which a catheter is thereafter inserted along said guidewire into the vascular system of the patient by inserting a distal end of a distal catheter segment into the vascular system of said patient along said guidewire, thereafter connecting to said distal catheter segment an added catheter segment in end-to-end relation, and further advancing said catheter into the vascular system along said guidewire while grasping said guidewire to prevent substantial longitudinal movement thereof as the catheter segment is advanced.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 53 words

The method of claim 17 in which said catheter is thereafter further advanced into the vascular system; a third segment is connected to said added segment; and the catheter is again advanced into the vascular system while holding said guidewire to prevent substantial longitudinal movement of the guidewire along with the advancing catheter.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 61 words

The method of claim 15 in which said catheter is thereafter further withdrawn from the vascular system of said patient while grasping said guidewire to prevent substantial withdrawing of said guidewire along with the catheter, and another catheter segment is separated from the rest of said catheter and proximally removed along said guidewire while grasping said guidewire to prevent guidewire retraction.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1999-04-16	1999-10-16	2000-04-16	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2003-04-16	2003-10-16	2004-04-16	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2007-04-16	2007-10-16	2008-04-16	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Rapid exchange segmented catheter

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