US6758851B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vessel cleaner
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 2001-05-29
•
Granted: 2004-07-06
•
Expires: 2021-05-29
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for extracting an obstruction located in a patient's vessel by fragmenting the obstruction and conveying the fragments through the apparatus out of the patient's body, having a flexible-tube with an open distal end, connected to a negative pressures, a motor-rotated, flexible, spiral conveyor-shaft disposed in the flexible tube that conveys the obstruction fragments, cooperatively with the negative pressure, through the flexible tube and an offset agitator that is connected to and is rotated by the flexible conveyor-shaft to fragment the obstruction. The offset-agitator can be moved in and out of the flexible tube, through the open distal end, to adjust its effective diameter.
Inventors
- 👤 Samuel Shiber
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 21:08
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/32; A61B17/3205; A61B17/3207; A61B17/320758; A61B17/22; A61B2017/22082; A61B2017/320733; A61B2217/00; A61B2217/002; A61B2217/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 48
Claim 1
Independent Claim
251 words
An apparatus for extracting an obstruction located in a patient's vessel by fragmenting the obstruction and conveying fragments of the obstruction through the apparatus and out of the patient's body, comprising in combination: a flexible-tube, having an open distal end, and is connectable to a negative pressure, a motor-rotateable flexible conveyor-shaft that is disposed in the flexible tube at least a part of the flexible conveyor-shaft is a spiral wire with gaps between its coils to enable the spiral to convey fragments, the direction of the spiral is such that as it rotates relative to the flexible tube it conveys the fragments, cooperatively with the negative pressure, from the open distal end through the flexible tube, an offset agitator that at least partially extends out of the open distal end of the flexible-tube being connected to and rotated by the distal end of the flexible conveyor-shaft to fragment the obstruction while rotating with an effective diameter that is larger than its cross-sectional diameter, wherein the flexible conveyor-shaft and the offset agitator are a continuous spiral wire formed from flattened wire, the conveyor-shaft being made of the flattened wire wound on its edge and the offset agitator being made from the flattened wire wound on its side and wherein the conveyor-shaft and the offset agitator are connected one the other by a short section of twisted wire that is an integral part of the spiral wire that does not block fragments from entering the gaps between the coils of the conveyor shaft.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
251 words
An apparatus for extracting an obstruction located in a patient's vessel by fragmenting the obstruction and conveying fragments of the obstruction through the apparatus and out of the patient's body, comprising in combination: a flexible-tube, having an open distal end, and is connectable to a negative pressure, a motor-rotateable flexible conveyor-shaft that is disposed in the flexible tube at least a part of the flexible conveyor-shaft is a spiral wire with gaps between its coils to enable the spiral to convey fragments, the direction of the spiral is such that as it rotates relative to the flexible tube it conveys the fragments, cooperatively with the negative pressure, from the open distal end through the flexible tube, an offset agitator that at least partially extends out of the open distal end of the flexible-tube being connected to and rotated by the distal end of the flexible conveyor-shaft to fragment the obstruction while rotating with an effective diameter that is larger than its cross-sectional diameter, wherein the flexible conveyor-shaft and the offset agitator are a continuous spiral wire formed from flattened wire, the conveyor-shaft being made of the flattened wire wound on its edge and the offset agitator being made from the flattened wire wound on its side and wherein the conveyor-shaft and the offset agitator are connected one the other by a short section of twisted wire that is an integral part of the spiral wire that does not block fragments from entering the gaps between the coils of the conveyor shaft.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
189 words
An apparatus for extracting an obstruction located in a patient's vessel by fragmenting the obstruction and conveying fragments of the obstruction through the apparatus and out of the patient's body, comprising in combination: a flexible-tube, having an open distal end, and is connectable to a negative pressure, a motor-rotateable flexible conveyor-shaft that is disposed in the flexible tube at least a part of the flexible conveyor-shaft is a spiral wire with gaps between its coils to enable the spiral to convey fragments, the direction of the spiral is such that as it rotates relative to the flexible tube it conveys the fragments, cooperatively with the negative pressure, from the open distal end through the flexible tube, an offset agitator that at least partially extends out of the open distal end of the flexible-tube being connected to and rotated by the distal end of the flexible conveyor-shaft to fragment the obstruction while rotating with an effective diameter that is larger than its cross-sectional diameter, the offset agitator is a spiral wire with gaps between its coils that are substantially smaller than the gaps between the coils of the flexible conveyor-shaft.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
189 words
An apparatus for extracting an obstruction located in a patient's vessel by fragmenting the obstruction and conveying fragments of the obstruction through the apparatus and out of the patient's body, comprising in combination: a flexible-tube, having an open distal end, and is connectable to a negative pressure, a motor-rotateable flexible conveyor-shaft that is disposed in the flexible tube at least a part of the flexible conveyor-shaft is a spiral wire with gaps between its coils to enable the spiral to convey fragments, the direction of the spiral is such that as it rotates relative to the flexible tube it conveys the fragments, cooperatively with the negative pressure, from the open distal end through the flexible tube, an offset agitator that at least partially extends out of the open distal end of the flexible-tube being connected to and rotated by the distal end of the flexible conveyor-shaft to fragment the obstruction while rotating with an effective diameter that is larger than its cross-sectional diameter, the offset agitator is a spiral wire with gaps between its coils that are substantially smaller than the gaps between the coils of the flexible conveyor-shaft.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
201 words
An apparatus for extracting an obstruction located in a patient's vessel by fragmenting the obstruction and conveying fragments of the obstruction through the apparatus and out of the patient's body, comprising in combination: a flexible-tube, having an open distal end, and is connectable to a negative pressure, a motor-rotateable flexible conveyor-shaft that is disposed in the flexible tube at least a part of the flexible conveyor-shaft being a spiral wire, the direction of spiral is such that as it rotates relative to the flexible tube it conveys the obstruction fragments, cooperatively with the negative pressure, from the open distal end through the flexible tube, a clearance between the flexible conveyor-shaft and the flexible tube being large enough so that the flexible conveyor-shaft rotates freely in the flexible tube and small enough so that the flexible conveyor-shaft radially supports the flexible tube to prevent it from kinking while the apparatus operates in a curved vessel, an offset agitator that at least partially extends out of the open distal end of the flexible-tube being connected to and rotated by the distal end of the flexible conveyor-shaft to fragment the obstruction while rotating with an effective diameter that is larger than its cross-sectional diameter.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
201 words
An apparatus for extracting an obstruction located in a patient's vessel by fragmenting the obstruction and conveying fragments of the obstruction through the apparatus and out of the patient's body, comprising in combination: a flexible-tube, having an open distal end, and is connectable to a negative pressure, a motor-rotateable flexible conveyor-shaft that is disposed in the flexible tube at least a part of the flexible conveyor-shaft being a spiral wire, the direction of spiral is such that as it rotates relative to the flexible tube it conveys the obstruction fragments, cooperatively with the negative pressure, from the open distal end through the flexible tube, a clearance between the flexible conveyor-shaft and the flexible tube being large enough so that the flexible conveyor-shaft rotates freely in the flexible tube and small enough so that the flexible conveyor-shaft radially supports the flexible tube to prevent it from kinking while the apparatus operates in a curved vessel, an offset agitator that at least partially extends out of the open distal end of the flexible-tube being connected to and rotated by the distal end of the flexible conveyor-shaft to fragment the obstruction while rotating with an effective diameter that is larger than its cross-sectional diameter.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
177 words
An apparatus for extracting an obstruction located in a patient's vessel by fragmenting the obstruction and conveying fragments of the obstruction through the apparatus and out of the patient's body, comprising in combination: a flexible-tube, having an open distal end, and connectable to a negative pressure, a motor-rotateable flexible conveyor-shaft that is disposed in the flexible tube at least a part of the flexible conveyor-shaft is a spiral wire, the direction of spiral is such that as it rotates relative to the flexible tube it conveys the obstruction fragments, cooperatively with the negative pressure, from the open distal end through the flexible tube, an offset agitator that at least partially extends out of the open distal end of the flexible-tube being connected to and rotated by the distal end of the flexible conveyor-shaft to fragment the obstruction while rotating with an effective diameter that is larger than its cross-sectional diameter, wherein the offset-agitator can be moved in and out of the flexible tube, through the open distal end, to adjust the effective diameter of the offset agitator.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
177 words
An apparatus for extracting an obstruction located in a patient's vessel by fragmenting the obstruction and conveying fragments of the obstruction through the apparatus and out of the patient's body, comprising in combination: a flexible-tube, having an open distal end, and connectable to a negative pressure, a motor-rotateable flexible conveyor-shaft that is disposed in the flexible tube at least a part of the flexible conveyor-shaft is a spiral wire, the direction of spiral is such that as it rotates relative to the flexible tube it conveys the obstruction fragments, cooperatively with the negative pressure, from the open distal end through the flexible tube, an offset agitator that at least partially extends out of the open distal end of the flexible-tube being connected to and rotated by the distal end of the flexible conveyor-shaft to fragment the obstruction while rotating with an effective diameter that is larger than its cross-sectional diameter, wherein the offset-agitator can be moved in and out of the flexible tube, through the open distal end, to adjust the effective diameter of the offset agitator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
As in claim 1 wherein the cross-section of an outer diameter of the flexible conveyor-shaft is larger than the cross-section of an outer diameter of the offset agitator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
As in claim 1 wherein the flexible conveyor-shaft and the offset agitator are a continuous spiral wire and wherein the distal tip of the offset agitator is rounded.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
As in claim 1 wherein the flexible conveyor-shaft and the offset agitator are a continuous spiral wire and wherein the distal tip of the offset agitator is an integral part of the wire that has been melted to form a rounded tip.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
As in claim 1 wherein the flexible conveyor-shaft is made from a spiral wire with gaps between its coils to enable the spiral to engage with and convey the fragments and wherein an outer surface of the offset agitator is uninterrupted to reduce its likelihood of entanglement inside the vessel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
As in claim 1 wherein the flexible conveyor-shaft and the offset agitator are made from a spiral wire, the gap between the coils of the flexible conveyor-shaft are substantially larger than gap between the coils of the offset agitator.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
As in claim 1 wherein a portion of the offset agitator that comes in contact with a wall of the vessel is smooth and another portion of the surface of the offset agitator is rough.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
As in claim 1 wherein the flexible-tube transmits light across its wall.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
As in claim 1 wherein the flexible-tube transmits light along its wall.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
66 words
As in claim 1 wherein the apparatus is inserted into the vessel through an introducer having an inlet port that is connected to a pressurized fluid through a flexible line and the evacuation port that is connected to the negative pressure through a flexible line, wherein the flexible lines pass through valves that shut off the flow thought the lines when the motor is selectively disabled.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
As in claim 1 wherein the flexible conveyor-shaft and the offset agitator are a continuous spiral wire that define a continuous passage that can accommodate a guidewire over which the flexible conveyor-shaft and the offset agitator can slide.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
As in claim 2 wherein the cross-section of an outer diameter of the flexible conveyor-shaft is larger than the cross-section of an outer diameter of the offset agitator.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
As in claim 2 wherein the flexible conveyor-shaft and the offset agitator are a continuous spiral wire and wherein the distal tip of the offset agitator is rounded.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
42 words
As in claim 2 wherein the flexible conveyor-shaft and the offset agitator are a continuous spiral wire and wherein the distal tip of the offset agitator is an integral part of the wire that has been melted to form a rounded tip.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
50 words
As in claim 2 wherein the flexible conveyor-shaft is made from a spiral wire with gaps between its coils to enable the spiral to engage with and convey the fragments and wherein an outer surface of the offset agitator is uninterrupted to reduce its likelihood of entanglement inside the vessel.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
40 words
As in claim 2 wherein the flexible conveyor-shaft and the offset agitator are made from a spiral wire, the gap between the coils of the flexible conveyor-shaft are substantially larger than the gap between the coils of the offset agitator.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
35 words
As in claim 2 wherein a portion of the offset agitator that comes in contact with a wall of the vessel is smooth and another portion of the surface of the offset agitator is rough.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
12 words
As in claim 2 wherein the flexible-tube transmits light across its wall.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
12 words
As in claim 2 wherein the flexible-tube transmits light along its wall.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
66 words
As in claim 2 wherein the apparatus is inserted into the vessel through an introducer having an inlet port that is connected to a pressurized fluid through a flexible line and the evacuation port that is connected to the negative pressure through a flexible line, wherein the flexible lines pass through valves that shut off the flow thought the lines when the motor is selectively disabled.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
38 words
As in claim 2 wherein the flexible conveyor-shaft and the offset agitator are a continuous spiral wire that define a continuous passage that can accommodate a guidewire over which the flexible conveyor-shaft and the offset agitator can slide.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
28 words
As in claim 3 wherein the cross-section of an outer diameter of the flexible conveyor-shaft is larger than the cross-section of an outer diameter of the offset agitator.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
28 words
As in claim 3 wherein the flexible conveyor-shaft and the offset agitator are a continuous spiral wire and wherein the distal tip of the offset agitator is rounded.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
42 words
As in claim 3 wherein the flexible conveyor-shaft and the offset agitator are a continuous spiral wire and wherein the distal tip of the offset agitator is an integral part of the wire that has been melted to form a rounded tip.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
50 words
As in claim 3 wherein the flexible conveyor-shaft is made from a spiral wire with gap between its coils to enable the spiral to engage with and convey the fragments and wherein an outer surface of the offset agitator is uninterrupted to reduce its likelihood of entanglement inside the vessel.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
40 words
As in claim 3 wherein the flexible conveyor-shaft and the offset agitator are made from a spiral wire, the gap between the coils of the flexible conveyor-shaft are substantially larger than the gap between the coils of the offset agitator.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
35 words
As in claim 3 wherein a portion of the offset agitator that comes in contact with a wall of the vessel is smooth and another portion of the surface of the offset agitator is rough.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
12 words
As in claim 3 wherein the flexible-tube transmits light across its wall.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
12 words
As in claim 3 wherein the flexible-tube transmits light along its wall.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
66 words
As in claim 3 wherein the apparatus is inserted into the vessel through an introducer having an inlet port that is connected to a pressurized fluid through a flexible line and the evacuation port that is connected to the negative pressure through a flexible line, wherein the flexible lines pass through valves that shut off the flow thought the lines when the motor is selectively disabled.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
38 words
As in claim 3 wherein the flexible conveyor-shaft and the offset agitator are a continuous spiral wire that define a continuous passage that can accommodate a guidewire over which the flexible conveyor-shaft and the offset agitator can slide.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
28 words
As in claim 4 wherein the cross-section of an outer diameter of the flexible conveyor-shaft is larger than the cross-section of an outer diameter of the offset agitator.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
28 words
As in claim 4 wherein the flexible conveyor-shaft and the offset agitator are a continuous spiral wire and wherein the distal tip of the offset agitator is rounded.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
42 words
As in claim 4 wherein the flexible conveyor-shaft and the offset agitator are a continuous spiral wire and wherein the distal tip of the offset agitator is an integral part of the wire that has been melted to form a rounded tip.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
50 words
As in claim 4 wherein the flexible conveyor-shaft is made from a spiral wire with gap between its coils to enable the spiral to engage with and convey the fragments and wherein an outer surface of the offset agitator is uninterrupted to reduce its likelihood of entanglement inside the vessel.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
40 words
As in claim 4 wherein the flexible conveyor-shaft and the offset agitator are made from a spiral wire, the gap between the coils of the flexible conveyor-shaft are substantially larger than the gap between the coils of the offset agitator.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
35 words
As in claim 4 wherein a portion of the offset agitator that comes in contact with a wall of the vessel is smooth and another portion of the surface of the offset agitator is rough.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
12 words
As in claim 4 wherein the flexible-tube transmits light across its wall.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
12 words
As in claim 4 wherein the flexible-tube transmits light along its wall.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
66 words
As in claim 4 wherein the apparatus is inserted into the vessel through an introducer having an inlet port that is connected to a pressurized fluid through a flexible line and the evacuation port that is connected to the negative pressure through a flexible line, wherein the flexible lines pass through valves that shut off the flow thought the lines when the motor is selectively disabled.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
38 words
As in claim 4 wherein the flexible conveyor-shaft and the offset agitator are a continuous spiral wire that define a continuous passage that can accommodate a guidewire over which the flexible conveyor-shaft and the offset agitator can slide.
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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) | 2007-07-06 | 2008-01-05 | 2008-07-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-07-06 | 2012-01-05 | 2012-07-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-07-06 | 2016-01-05 | 2016-07-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |