US5820629A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Intimal lining transition device and endarterectomy method
Assignee: Medtronic Vascular Inc
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Filing: 1996-08-13
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Granted: 1998-10-13
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Expires: 2016-08-13
Abstract
Abstract A device (24) for creating a smooth transition in the intimal lining (18) of a blood vessel (16) during an endarterectomy procedure on a patient (2) includes a delivery catheter (28) insertable into the blood vessel at an opening (8) in the blood vessel. An intimal lining cutter (38, 56) is disposed at the distal end (30) of the catheter. When in proper position, that is where the intimal lining separates from the vessel wall (20), the cutter is actuated to cut the intimal lining without leaving a flap of intimal lining within the blood vessel. The cutter can be of different types, including electrocautery coil (38) or a radially extending cutter blade (56). The invention is typically used with a ring stripper (14) and permits the endarterectomy to be performed using only a single incision into the vessel.
Inventors
- 👤 Brian J. Cox
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 07:42
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/32; A61B17/3205; A61B17/3207; A61B17/320708; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1492; A61B2017/320741; A61B2018/00315; A61B2018/00345; A61B2018/00404; A61B2018/00422; A61B2018/1405; A61B2018/1407; A61B2018/1435
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
A device for creating a smooth transition in the intimal lining of a blood vessel during an endarterectomy procedure on a patient comprising: a transition device having a distal end insertable into a vessel to an intimal lining separation region at which an intimal lining of the blood vessel separates from the vessel wall of the blood vessel, the transition device comprising: an elongate, user-actuated manipulator element with a distal end; and the distal end comprising a user-actuated, flapless intimal lining cutter positionable at the separation region and constructed to permit a user to energize the intimal lining cutter to cut the intimal lining at the separation region so that when a length of the intimal lining proximal of the separation region is removed from a patient, the blood vessel has a smooth transition and is free from a flap of intimal lining at the separation region, the intimal lining cutter comprising a coiled, axially-aligned electrocauterizing element mounted to the distal end of the manipulator element.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
166 words
A device for creating a smooth transition in the intimal lining of a blood vessel during an endarterectomy procedure on a patient comprising: a transition device having a distal end insertable into a vessel to an intimal lining separation region at which an intimal lining of the blood vessel separates from the vessel wall of the blood vessel, the transition device comprising: an elongate, user-actuated manipulator element with a distal end; and the distal end comprising a user-actuated, flapless intimal lining cutter positionable at the separation region and constructed to permit a user to energize the intimal lining cutter to cut the intimal lining at the separation region so that when a length of the intimal lining proximal of the separation region is removed from a patient, the blood vessel has a smooth transition and is free from a flap of intimal lining at the separation region, the intimal lining cutter comprising a coiled, axially-aligned electrocauterizing element mounted to the distal end of the manipulator element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device according to claim 1 wherein the transition device comprises a delivery element having a tubular distal portion housing the intimal lining cutter while said intimal lining cutter passes through the vessel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device according to claim 2 wherein the entire delivery element comprises a tubular element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The device according to claim 2 wherein the intimal lining cutter comprises a radially-movable cutter movable from a radially-contracted condition when housed within the tubular distal portion to a radially-expanded condition when released from the tubular distal portion to engage the intimal lining at the separation region.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
131 words
A method of removing a length of the intimal lining of a blood vessel comprising the following steps: inserting an intimal lining separation tool into the interior of a blood vessel at a start position; separating, using the tool, a length of intimal lining from a vessel wall of the blood vessel from the start position to an end position; flaplessly severing, from within the blood vessel, the separated length of intimal lining at the end position using a transition device extending from the end position, through the blood vessel interior and out of the blood vessel at the start position, so as to leave a smooth transition and substantially no flap of intimal lining at the end position; and removing the separated length of intimal lining from the blood vessel.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
131 words
A method of removing a length of the intimal lining of a blood vessel comprising the following steps: inserting an intimal lining separation tool into the interior of a blood vessel at a start position; separating, using the tool, a length of intimal lining from a vessel wall of the blood vessel from the start position to an end position; flaplessly severing, from within the blood vessel, the separated length of intimal lining at the end position using a transition device extending from the end position, through the blood vessel interior and out of the blood vessel at the start position, so as to leave a smooth transition and substantially no flap of intimal lining at the end position; and removing the separated length of intimal lining from the blood vessel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 5 wherein the tool-inserting step is carried out using a femoral artery as the blood vessel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 5 wherein the tool-inserting step is carried out using a ring stripper as the intimal lining separation tool.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 5 wherein the tool-inserting step comprises the step of making an incision in the blood vessel at the start position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 5 wherein the severing step is carried out using a radially extendable blade.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method according to claim 9 wherein the severing step includes the steps of: positioning the blade, while in a retracted condition, at the end position; extending the blade to an extended, cutting condition; and moving the blade so as to cut the intimal lining at the end position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method according to claim 10 wherein the positioning step further comprises the step of housing the blade in the retracted condition within a tubular portion of a delivery element, said delivery element passing from the start position and through the blood vessel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 11 wherein the extending step is carried out by removing the radially extendable blade from the tubular portion.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 10 wherein the blade moving step is carried out by rotating the blade about an axis of the blood vessel.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of removing a length of the intimal lining of a blood vessel comprising the following steps: inserting an intimal lining separation tool into the interior of a blood vessel at a start position; separating, using the tool, a length of the intimal lining from the blood vessel from the start position to an end position; using an electrocautery element to flaplessly sever the separated length of intimal lining at the end position from within the blood vessel to leave substantially no flap of intimal lining; and removing the separated length of intimal lining from the blood vessel.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of removing a length of the intimal lining of a blood vessel comprising the following steps: inserting an intimal lining separation tool into the interior of a blood vessel at a start position; separating, using the tool, a length of the intimal lining from the blood vessel from the start position to an end position; using an electrocautery element to flaplessly sever the separated length of intimal lining at the end position from within the blood vessel to leave substantially no flap of intimal lining; and removing the separated length of intimal lining from the blood vessel.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method according to claim 14 wherein the severing step is carried out by positioning the electrocautery element against the intimal lining at the end position and applying energy to the electrocautery element.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method according to claim 14 wherein the severing step comprises the step of: positioning the electrocautery element, while in a constrained condition, at the end position; expanding the electrocautery element to contact the intimal lining at the end position; and applying sufficient power to the electrocautery element to separate said length of intimal lining from said blood vessel.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method according to claim 16 wherein said positioning step is carried out by initially housing the electrocautery element coiled within a tubular portion of a delivery element, said delivery element passing through the blood vessel.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 17 wherein said expanding step includes the step of removing the electrocautery element from said tubular portion.
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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) | 2001-10-12 | 2002-04-13 | 2002-10-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-10-12 | 2006-04-13 | 2006-10-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-10-12 | 2010-04-13 | 2010-10-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |