US6379319B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Systems and methods for directing and snaring guidewires
Assignee: Medtronic Vascular Inc
•
Filing: 1998-10-27
•
Granted: 2002-04-30
•
Expires: 2018-10-27
Abstract
Abstract Devices and methods for achieving directed placement of guidewires or other flexible rails over which other catheters or other devices may be introduced to a targeted location. A guidewire directing device includes a lumen extending between a proximal end and a distal peripheral opening for directing a guidewire laterally from the device, and may have a deflecting member with a predetermined deflection angle in the lumen adjacent the peripheral opening. A snaring device is also provided that includes one or more lumens through which a snare or other grasping member is directed for releasably capturing or coupling to a guidewire. The snaring and target guidewire devices may include cooperating end effectors for releasably coupling or securing the devices together. The devices may be used for directing, snaring and/or manipulating one or more guidewires between two blood vessels connected by an interstitial channel, for example, to “floss” a guidewire through the coronary arterial and venous systems between two percutaneous entry sites and/or to bypass a lesion in a vessel using proximal and distal interstitial channels communicating with an adjacent vessel.
Inventors
- 👤 John Garibotto
- 👤 Steven W. Kim
- 👤 Jason Whitt
- 👤 J. Christopher Flaherty
- 👤 Joshua Makower
- 👤 Motoya Hayase
- 👤 John Chang
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 19:28
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/11; A61B17/12; A61B17/12022; A61B17/12099; A61B17/12109; A61B17/12131; A61B17/12136; A61B17/34; A61B17/3417; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/04; A61F2/06; A61F2/064; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/01; A61M25/0105; A61B17/00491; A61B17/064; A61B17/0643; A61B17/22; A61B17/221; A61B17/32; A61B17/3205; A61B17/32056; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1492; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00238; A61B2017/00243; A61B2017/00247; A61B2017/00252; A61B2017/00504; A61B2017/1107; A61B2017/1139; A61B17/22031; A61B2017/22035; A61B2017/22094; A61B2017/2212; A61B17/30; A61B2017/306; A61B2017/347; A61B2018/00315; A61B2018/00345; A61B2018/00351; A61B2018/00392; A61B90/00; A61B90/39; A61B90/40; A61F2/07; A61F2/82; A61F2/86; A61F2/90; A61F2002/061; A61F2/30; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30003; A61F2002/3006; A61F2002/30079; A61F2002/825; A61F2210/00; A61F2210/009; A61M25/0067; A61M25/0074; A61M25/0075; A61M2025/0076; A61M25/0133; A61M2025/0161; A61M25/10; A61M2025/1043; A61M2025/1052
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 49
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
A method for manipulating a guidewire device within a body, comprising the steps of: introducing a distal portion of a guidewire device into a first location in the body; introducing a distal end of a directing member into the body until it is adjacent to the distal end of the guidewire device; capturing the distal portion of the guidewire device with a grasping mechanism on the distal end of the directing member; directing the directing member to a second location in the body with the distal portion of the guidewire device captured by the grasping mechanism; and releasing the distal portion of the guidewire device from the grasping mechanism at the second location.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
113 words
A method for manipulating a guidewire device within a body, comprising the steps of: introducing a distal portion of a guidewire device into a first location in the body; introducing a distal end of a directing member into the body until it is adjacent to the distal end of the guidewire device; capturing the distal portion of the guidewire device with a grasping mechanism on the distal end of the directing member; directing the directing member to a second location in the body with the distal portion of the guidewire device captured by the grasping mechanism; and releasing the distal portion of the guidewire device from the grasping mechanism at the second location.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the distal portion of the guidewire device is magnetically coupled to the grasping mechanism during the capturing step.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the distal portion of the guidewire device is snared within a loop on the grasping mechanism during the capturing step.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the distal portion of the guidewire device is secured to an outer surface of the directing member by the grasping mechanism during the capturing step.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the first location is within a first body passage connected by an interstitial channel to a second body channel, and wherein the directing member comprises a catheter having a distal portion including a weakened region proximate to a distal tip of the catheter, the distal portion of the catheter being introduced into the second body channel proximate the interstitial channel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
69 words
The method of claim 5 , wherein the capturing step comprises securing the distal portion of the guidewire device and the distal tip of the catheter together through the interstitial channel; and wherein the directing step comprises directing the distal portion of the catheter, with the guidewire device secured thereto, distally within the second passage, thereby causing the distal portion of the catheter to prolapse at the weakened region.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method of claim 6 , wherein the step of securing the distal end of the guidewire device and the distal tip of the catheter comprises the steps of: directing the distal tip of the catheter through the interstitial channel into the first body passage; and deploying a snaring device from the catheter to capture the distal end of the guidewire device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 7 , comprising the additional step of withdrawing the distal portion of the catheter back into the second body passage, thereby pulling the guidewire device into the second body passage.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
122 words
A method for manipulating a guidewire device within a body passage, comprising: introducing a distal portion of a guidewire device into a first location in a first body passage; introducing a distal end of a directing member into a second body passage adjacent the first location until the distal end of the directing member is adjacent to the distal end of the guidewire device; advancing a snaring member substantially laterally from the directing device into the first body passage; capturing the distal portion of the guidewire device in the first body passage with the grasping mechanism on the snaring member; and directing the directing member to a second location with the distal portion of the guidewire device captured by the grasping mechanism.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
122 words
A method for manipulating a guidewire device within a body passage, comprising: introducing a distal portion of a guidewire device into a first location in a first body passage; introducing a distal end of a directing member into a second body passage adjacent the first location until the distal end of the directing member is adjacent to the distal end of the guidewire device; advancing a snaring member substantially laterally from the directing device into the first body passage; capturing the distal portion of the guidewire device in the first body passage with the grasping mechanism on the snaring member; and directing the directing member to a second location with the distal portion of the guidewire device captured by the grasping mechanism.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 9 , wherein the directing step comprises withdrawing the snaring member into the second body passage, with the guidewire device captured by the grasping mechanism.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 10 , wherein the directing device is directed through a channel between the first body passage and the second body passage when the guidewire directing member is directed to the second location.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 10 , wherein the first location comprises a location adjacent to a portion of the first body passage upstream of a lesion in the first body passage.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein the second location comprises a location downstream of the lesion in the first body passage.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 10 , wherein the directing member is introduced over a first guidewire placed between the first location and the second location.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 10 , wherein the snaring member is directed over a second guidewire placed between the first location and the second body passage.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 10 , wherein the first and second body passages comprise adjacent blood vessels within the coronary system.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
127 words
A method for manipulating a guidewire device within a body passage, comprising: introducing a distal portion of a guidewire device into a first location within a first blood vessel connected by an interstitial channel to a second blood vessel; introducing a distal end of a directing member into the second blood vessel proximate the interstitial channel until it is adjacent to the distal portion of the guidewire device; advancing the distal end of the directing member through the interstitial channel into the first blood vessel; capturing the distal portion of the guidewire device with a grasping mechanism on the distal end of the directing member; and directing the directing member to a second location with the distal portion of the guidewire device captured by the grasping mechanism.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
127 words
A method for manipulating a guidewire device within a body passage, comprising: introducing a distal portion of a guidewire device into a first location within a first blood vessel connected by an interstitial channel to a second blood vessel; introducing a distal end of a directing member into the second blood vessel proximate the interstitial channel until it is adjacent to the distal portion of the guidewire device; advancing the distal end of the directing member through the interstitial channel into the first blood vessel; capturing the distal portion of the guidewire device with a grasping mechanism on the distal end of the directing member; and directing the directing member to a second location with the distal portion of the guidewire device captured by the grasping mechanism.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 17 , wherein the directing step comprises withdrawing the distal end of the directing member through the interstitial channel back into the second vessel, thereby pulling the distal portion of the guidewire device into the second vessel.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein the directing step further comprises releasing the distal portion of the guidewire device from the directing member within the second vessel.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 19 , wherein the directing step further comprises directing the directing member along the second vessel to the second location before releasing the distal portion of the guidewire device.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein the directing step further comprises withdrawing the directing member completely from the second vessel to outside the body, thereby pulling the distal portion of the guidewire device through the second vessel to outside the body, the second location being located outside the body.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 17 , wherein the guidewire device comprises a guidewire or a micro-catheter.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 17 , wherein the distal portion of the guidewire device and the distal end of the directing member include cooperating end effectors for detachably securing the distal portion of the guidewire device and the directing member together.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 23 , wherein the end effectors comprise a magnet.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method of claim 23 , wherein the end effectors comprise a loop and pin on the distal end of the directing member and a recess in the distal portion of the guidewire device, and wherein the distal portion is received through the loop and the recess is engaged by the pin when the guidewire device is captured by the directing member.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for manipulating a guidewire device within a body passage, comprising: advancing a distal portion of a first guidewire distally from a first percutaneous entry site into a first vessel to a first location, the first location being located adjacent to a second vessel; and advancing a distal end of a snaring member from a second percutaneous entry site distally into the second vessel adjacent to the first location; capturing the distal portion of the first guidewire with a grasping mechanism on the distal end of the snaring member, and directing the snaring member to a second location with the distal portion of the first guidewire captured by the grasping mechanism.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for manipulating a guidewire device within a body passage, comprising: advancing a distal portion of a first guidewire distally from a first percutaneous entry site into a first vessel to a first location, the first location being located adjacent to a second vessel; and advancing a distal end of a snaring member from a second percutaneous entry site distally into the second vessel adjacent to the first location; capturing the distal portion of the first guidewire with a grasping mechanism on the distal end of the snaring member, and directing the snaring member to a second location with the distal portion of the first guidewire captured by the grasping mechanism.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 26 , wherein the capturing step comprises: advancing one of the distal portion of the guidewire and the snaring member between the first and second vessels; and snaring the distal portion of the first guidewire with the snaring member.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 27 , wherein the first location is adjacent a proximal channel extending between the first and second vessels.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 27 , wherein the first vessel comprises a vein, and the second vessel comprises an artery.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 29 , wherein the first vessel comprises a coronary vein and the second vessel comprises a coronary artery.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 27 , wherein the snaring member is advanced over a second guidewire into the second vessel.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 27 , comprising the additional step of withdrawing the snaring member proximally from the second vessel and out the second entry site, thereby flossing the first guidewire through the first and second vessels between the first and second entry sites.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
114 words
The method of claim 32 , comprising the additional steps of: advancing a catheter from the second entry site over the flossed first guidewire into the second vessel adjacent to the first selected location; advancing a snaring member from the first entry site into the first vessel; deploying a second guidewire from the catheter; advancing the catheter, the second guidewire or the snaring member between the first and second vessels; snaring a distal end of the second guidewire with the snaring member; directing the snaring member distally along the first vessel to a second selected location; and releasing the distal end of the second guidewire from the snaring member at the second selected location.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 33 , wherein the catheter is directed through the channel into the first vessel prior to the deployment of the second guidewire.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 33 , wherein: a third guidewire is advanced from the first entry site into the first vessel prior to the snaring member being advanced from the first entry site into the first vessel; and the snaring member is advanced into the first vessel over the third guidewire.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 33 , wherein the second location is a distal location in the second vessel, and wherein the snaring member is advanced through a distal channel from the first vessel into the second vessel to advance the second guidewire into the distal location in the second vessel.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 36 , wherein the snaring member is advanced through the distal channel over a fourth guidewire previously placed from the first entry site through the first vessel and the distal channel into the distal location in the second vessel.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 33 , wherein the second vessel comprises an artery, and wherein the artery includes a lesion at a location between the first and second locations.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for manipulating a guidewire device within a body passage, comprising: creating an interstitial opening between a first blood vessel and a second blood vessel; introducing a distal portion of a guidewire device into a first location within the first blood vessel; introducing a distal end of a directing member into the second blood vessel proximate the interstitial channel; advancing the distal end of the directing member through the interstitial channel into the first blood vessel; and capturing the distal portion of the guidewire device with a grasping mechanism on the distal end of the directing member.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for manipulating a guidewire device within a body passage, comprising: creating an interstitial opening between a first blood vessel and a second blood vessel; introducing a distal portion of a guidewire device into a first location within the first blood vessel; introducing a distal end of a directing member into the second blood vessel proximate the interstitial channel; advancing the distal end of the directing member through the interstitial channel into the first blood vessel; and capturing the distal portion of the guidewire device with a grasping mechanism on the distal end of the directing member.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 39 , further comprising directing the directing member to a second location with the distal portion of the guidewire device captured by the grasping mechanism.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 40 , wherein the directing step comprises withdrawing the distal end of the directing member through the interstitial channel back into the second vessel, thereby pulling the distal portion of the guidewire device into the second vessel.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 41 , wherein the directing step further comprises releasing the distal portion of the guidewire device from the directing member within the second vessel.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 41 , wherein the directing step further comprises directing the directing member along the second vessel to the second location before releasing the distal portion of the guidewire device.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 41 , wherein the directing step further comprises withdrawing the directing member completely from the second vessel to outside the body, thereby pulling the distal portion of the guidewire device through the second vessel to outside the body, the second location being located outside the body.
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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) | 2005-04-29 | 2005-10-29 | 2006-04-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-04-29 | 2009-10-29 | 2010-04-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-04-29 | 2013-10-29 | 2014-04-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |