US6106515A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Expandable laser catheter
Assignee: Spectranetics LLC
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Filing: 1998-08-13
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Granted: 2000-08-22
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Expires: 2018-08-13
Abstract
Abstract Expandable laser catheters for utilizing laser energy to remove obstructions from body passages are described. In one embodiment, the laser catheter includes a shaftway having a distal end including a flexible portion configured in a series of radial folds. Multiple optical fibers, configured to transmit laser energy, extend along the shaftway and are attached to the flexible portion. An inflatable, ring-shaped balloon is attached to the catheter within the flexible portion. In use, the catheter is inserted into a body passage such as an artery, and advanced until the distal end is adjacent to an obstruction. The balloon is inflated to expand the flexible portion and to bring the optical fibers nearer the inner wall of the body passage. Laser energy is directed by the optical fibers toward targeted regions of the obstruction. As the catheter is advanced and the process repeated, a core is formed from the obstruction and contained within the flexible portion. The flexible portion is then contracted to hold the core, and the core is removed from the body passage by withdrawing the catheter.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas R. Winston
- 👤 John M. Neet
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 04:59
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/18; A61B18/20; A61B18/22; A61B18/24; A61B18/245; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/0021; A61M25/0023; A61M25/10; A61M25/1002; A61M29/00; A61M29/02; A61B17/00; A61B17/22; A61B2017/22051; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00214; A61B2018/00571; A61B2018/00577; A61B2018/2205; A61B2018/2211; A61B2018/2238; A61B2018/2255; A61B2018/2266; A61B2018/2288; A61M2025/0024; A61M2025/1004
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A laser catheter for removing a core of an obstruction from a body passage, said catheter comprising: a shaftway having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end comprising a flexible portion configured in a plurality of folds; a plurality of optical fibers having distal ends attached to said flexible portion and retained in said folds; and an inflatable balloon for expanding said flexible portion, said balloon attached to said flexible portion and configured to expand the folds of said flexible portion so that a core retention region is created.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
A laser catheter for removing a core of an obstruction from a body passage, said catheter comprising: a shaftway having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end comprising a flexible portion configured in a plurality of folds; a plurality of optical fibers having distal ends attached to said flexible portion and retained in said folds; and an inflatable balloon for expanding said flexible portion, said balloon attached to said flexible portion and configured to expand the folds of said flexible portion so that a core retention region is created.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The laser catheter in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a guidewire, and wherein said shaftway is configured to slidably extend over said guidewire.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The laser catheter in accordance with claim 1 further comprising an outer catheter body, and wherein said shaftway is configured to be slidably inserted through said outer catheter body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The laser catheter in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a laser, and wherein said optical fibers have proximal ends, said laser connected to said optical fibers proximal ends.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
108 words
A laser catheter for removing a core of an obstruction from a body passage, said catheter comprising: a shaftway having a proximal end and a distal end; a flexible portion adjacent said shaftway distal end, said flexible portion configured in a plurality of folds and having a distal end; a plurality of optical fibers extending between said shaftway proximal end and said flexible portion distal end, said optical fibers having distal ends attached to said flexible portion and retained in said folds; and means for expanding said flexible portion, said means configured to expand the folds of said flexible portion so that a core retention region is created.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
108 words
A laser catheter for removing a core of an obstruction from a body passage, said catheter comprising: a shaftway having a proximal end and a distal end; a flexible portion adjacent said shaftway distal end, said flexible portion configured in a plurality of folds and having a distal end; a plurality of optical fibers extending between said shaftway proximal end and said flexible portion distal end, said optical fibers having distal ends attached to said flexible portion and retained in said folds; and means for expanding said flexible portion, said means configured to expand the folds of said flexible portion so that a core retention region is created.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The laser catheter in accordance with claim 5 wherein said means for expanding said flexible portion is attached to said flexible portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The laser catheter in accordance with claim 5 wherein said means for expanding said flexible portion comprises an inflatable balloon.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The laser catheter in accordance with claim 7 wherein said balloon comprises a ring-shaped balloon.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The laser catheter in accordance with claim 8 wherein said ring-shaped balloon is attached to said flexible portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The laser catheter in accordance with claim 5 further comprising a guidewire, wherein said shaftway is configured to slidably extend over said guidewire.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The laser catheter in accordance with claim 5, further comprising an outer catheter body, and wherein said shaftway is configured to be slidably inserted through said outer catheter body.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The laser catheter in accordance with claim 5 further comprising a laser, and wherein said optical fibers have proximal ends, said laser connected to said optical fibers proximal ends.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The laser catheter in accordance with claim 12 wherein said laser comprises an excimer laser.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The laser catheter in accordance with claim 12 wherein said laser comprises an Nd:YAG laser.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The laser catheter in accordance with claim 12 wherein said laser comprises a CO 2 laser.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The laser catheter in accordance with claim 12 wherein said laser comprises a holmium laser.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
The laser catheter in accordance with claim 12 wherein said shaftway is flexible.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
180 words
A method of removing an obstruction from a body passage with a laser catheter, the catheter connected to a laser providing laser energy, wherein the catheter comprises a shaftway having a proximal end and a distal end comprising a flexible portion, the flexible portion configured in a plurality of folds, a plurality of optical fibers extending along the shaftway from the proximal end to the distal end, the optical fibers retained in the folds of the flexible portion, and a means for expanding the flexible portion, the means configured to expand the folds of the flexible portion, said method comprising the steps of: inserting the catheter into the body passage, advancing the catheter until the distal end is adjacent to the obstruction; expanding the means for expanding the flexible portion; photoablating the obstruction by transmitting laser energy through the optical fibers; advancing the catheter while photoablating so that a core of the obstruction is formed within the flexible portion; and contracting the means for expanding the flexible portion so that the core of the obstruction is within the flexible portion.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
180 words
A method of removing an obstruction from a body passage with a laser catheter, the catheter connected to a laser providing laser energy, wherein the catheter comprises a shaftway having a proximal end and a distal end comprising a flexible portion, the flexible portion configured in a plurality of folds, a plurality of optical fibers extending along the shaftway from the proximal end to the distal end, the optical fibers retained in the folds of the flexible portion, and a means for expanding the flexible portion, the means configured to expand the folds of the flexible portion, said method comprising the steps of: inserting the catheter into the body passage, advancing the catheter until the distal end is adjacent to the obstruction; expanding the means for expanding the flexible portion; photoablating the obstruction by transmitting laser energy through the optical fibers; advancing the catheter while photoablating so that a core of the obstruction is formed within the flexible portion; and contracting the means for expanding the flexible portion so that the core of the obstruction is within the flexible portion.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method in accordance with claim 18 comprising the step of inflating and deflating the inflatable means to impart radial motion to the optical fibers while photoablating.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method in accordance with claim 18 further comprising the step of rotating the catheter to impart tangential motion to the optical fibers while photoablating.
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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) | 2003-08-22 | 2004-02-21 | 2004-08-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-08-22 | 2008-02-21 | 2008-08-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-08-22 | 2012-02-21 | 2012-08-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |