Patent US6488671B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6488671B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Methods for enhancing fluid flow through an obstructed vascular site, and systems and kits for use in practicing the same
Assignee: Cordis US Corp
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Filing: 2000-03-20
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Granted: 2002-12-03
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Expires: 2020-03-20
Abstract
Abstract Methods of enhancing fluid flow through a vascular site occupied by a vascular occlusion, as well as systems and kits for use in practicing the same, are provided. In practicing the subject methods, the vascular site is flushed simultaneously with a first dissolution fluid and a second dissolution fluid attenuating fluid, where flushing is carried out in a manner such that only a surface of the vascular occlusion is contacted with the non-attenuated dissolution fluid. Flushing is carried out in this manner for a period of time sufficient for fluid flow through the vascular site to be enhanced, e.g. increased or established. The subject methods, systems and kits for practicing the same find use in the treatment of a variety of different vascular diseases characterized by the presence of vascular occlusions, including both partial and total occlusions.
Inventors
- 👤 Brent R. Constantz
- 👤 Dave Delaney
- 👤 Christine Hankermeyer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 23:18
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/22; A61B5/00; A61B5/145; A61B5/14539; A61M; A61M29/00; A61M29/02; A61B2017/22082; A61B2017/22084; A61M25/00; A61M2025/0004; A61M25/0021; A61M25/0023; A61M25/0026; A61M2025/0034; A61M25/10; A61M2025/1043; A61M2025/1052; A61M2025/1093; A61M2025/1095
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 41
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of enhancing fluid flow through a vascular site occupied by a vascular occlusion, said method comprising: simultaneously flushing said vascular site with: (i) a dissolution fluid; and (ii) a dissolution fluid attenuating fluid; for a period of time sufficient for fluid flow to be enhanced through said vascular site; with the proviso that said simultaneous flushing occurs in a manner such that only a surface of said vascular occlusion is contacted with non-attenuated dissolution fluid and the remainder of said vascular site is not contacted with non-attenuated dissolution fluid; whereby fluid flow is enhanced through said vascular site.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of enhancing fluid flow through a vascular site occupied by a vascular occlusion, said method comprising: simultaneously flushing said vascular site with: (i) a dissolution fluid; and (ii) a dissolution fluid attenuating fluid; for a period of time sufficient for fluid flow to be enhanced through said vascular site; with the proviso that said simultaneous flushing occurs in a manner such that only a surface of said vascular occlusion is contacted with non-attenuated dissolution fluid and the remainder of said vascular site is not contacted with non-attenuated dissolution fluid; whereby fluid flow is enhanced through said vascular site.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein said vascular occlusion at least comprises organic matter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein said vascular occlusion at least comprises inorganic matter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein said vascular occlusion comprises both organic and inorganic matter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein said dissolution fluid is an organic matter dissolution fluid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 5 , wherein said organic matter dissolution fluid comprises an active agent selected from the group consisting of enzymes, surfactants and thrombolytic agents.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein said dissolution fluid is an inorganic matter dissolution fluid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 7 , wherein said inorganic matter dissolution fluid is an acidic dissolution fluid.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein said occlusion is a total occlusion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein said occlusion is a partial occlusion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein a catheter device is used to flush said surface of said vascular occlusion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein said catheter device comprises at least three different lumens.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
47 words
A kit for use in enhancing fluid flow through a vascular site occupied by a vascular occlusion, said kit comprising: a means for flushing said vascular site with a dissolution fluid and a dissolution fluid attenuating fluid; and instructions for practicing the method of claim 1 .
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The kit according to claim 13 , wherein said kit further comprises a dissolution fluid or a precursor(s) thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The kit according to claim 13 , wherein said kit further comprises a dissolution fluid attenuating fluid or precursors thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The kit according to claim 13 , wherein said kit further comprises a guidewire.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of enhancing fluid flow through a vascular site occupied by an organic matter comprising vascular occlusion, said method comprising: simultaneously flushing said vascular site with: (i) an organic matter dissolution fluid; and (ii) an organic matter dissolution fluid attenuating fluid; for a period of time sufficient for fluid flow to be enhanced through said vascular site; with the proviso that said simultaneous flushing occurs in a manner such that only a surface of said organic matter comprising vascular occlusion is contacted with non-attenuated organic matter dissolution fluid and the remainder of said vascular site is not contacted with non-attenuated organic matter dissolution fluid; whereby fluid flow is enhanced through said vascular site.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of enhancing fluid flow through a vascular site occupied by an organic matter comprising vascular occlusion, said method comprising: simultaneously flushing said vascular site with: (i) an organic matter dissolution fluid; and (ii) an organic matter dissolution fluid attenuating fluid; for a period of time sufficient for fluid flow to be enhanced through said vascular site; with the proviso that said simultaneous flushing occurs in a manner such that only a surface of said organic matter comprising vascular occlusion is contacted with non-attenuated organic matter dissolution fluid and the remainder of said vascular site is not contacted with non-attenuated organic matter dissolution fluid; whereby fluid flow is enhanced through said vascular site.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 17 , wherein said organic matter dissolution fluid comprises an active agent selected from the group consisting of enzymes, surfactants and thrombolytic agents.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 18 , wherein said organic matter dissolution fluid comprises a surfactant.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 19 , wherein said organic matter dissolution fluid attenuating agent is an aqueous fluid.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 18 , wherein said organic matter dissolution fluid comprises an enzyme.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 21 , wherein said organic matter dissolution fluid attenuating agent comprises an agent that reduces the activity of said enzyme.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 22 , wherein said enzyme activity reducing agent is selected from the group consisting of a denaturant and an inhibitor.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 18 , wherein said vascular occlusion is a total occlusion.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 18 , wherein said vascular occlusion is a partial occlusion.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of enhancing fluid flow through a vascular site occupied by an inorganic matter comprising vascular occlusion, said method comprising: simultaneously flushing said vascular site with: (i) an inorganic matter dissolution fluid; and (ii) an inorganic matter dissolution fluid attenuating fluid; for a period of time sufficient for fluid flow to be enhanced through said vascular site; with the proviso that said simultaneous flushing occurs in a manner such that only a surface of said inorganic matter comprising vascular occlusion is contacted with non-attenuated inorganic matter dissolution fluid and the remainder of said vascular site is not contacted with non-attenuated inorganic matter dissolution fluid; whereby fluid flow is enhanced through said vascular site.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of enhancing fluid flow through a vascular site occupied by an inorganic matter comprising vascular occlusion, said method comprising: simultaneously flushing said vascular site with: (i) an inorganic matter dissolution fluid; and (ii) an inorganic matter dissolution fluid attenuating fluid; for a period of time sufficient for fluid flow to be enhanced through said vascular site; with the proviso that said simultaneous flushing occurs in a manner such that only a surface of said inorganic matter comprising vascular occlusion is contacted with non-attenuated inorganic matter dissolution fluid and the remainder of said vascular site is not contacted with non-attenuated inorganic matter dissolution fluid; whereby fluid flow is enhanced through said vascular site.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 26 , wherein said inorganic matter is a calcium phosphate mineral.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 26 , wherein said inorganic matter dissolution fluid is an acidic solution.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 28 , wherein said inorganic matter dissolution fluid attenuating fluid is a buffer solution.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 26 , wherein said vascular occlusion is a total occlusion.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 26 , wherein said vascular occlusion is a partial occlusion.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of enhancing fluid flow through a vascular site occupied by vascular occlusion, said method comprising: simultaneously flushing said vascular site with: (i) a dissolution fluid that dissolves both organic and inorganic matter; and (ii) dissolution fluid attenuating fluid; for a period of time sufficient for fluid flow to be enhanced through said vascular site; with the proviso that said simultaneous flushing occurs in a manner such that only a surface of said vascular occlusion is contacted with non-attenuated dissolution fluid and the remainder of said vascular site is not contacted with non-attenuated dissolution fluid; whereby fluid flow is enhanced through said vascular site.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of enhancing fluid flow through a vascular site occupied by vascular occlusion, said method comprising: simultaneously flushing said vascular site with: (i) a dissolution fluid that dissolves both organic and inorganic matter; and (ii) dissolution fluid attenuating fluid; for a period of time sufficient for fluid flow to be enhanced through said vascular site; with the proviso that said simultaneous flushing occurs in a manner such that only a surface of said vascular occlusion is contacted with non-attenuated dissolution fluid and the remainder of said vascular site is not contacted with non-attenuated dissolution fluid; whereby fluid flow is enhanced through said vascular site.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 32 , wherein said dissolution fluid comprises an acid.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 32 , wherein said dissolution fluid comprises a surfactant.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 32 , wherein said dissolution fluid attenuating fluid is a buffer solution.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 32 , wherein said vascular occlusion is a total occlusion.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 32 , wherein said vascular occlusion is a partial occlusion.
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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) | 2005-12-02 | 2006-06-03 | 2006-12-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-12-02 | 2010-06-03 | 2010-12-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-12-02 | 2014-06-03 | 2014-12-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |