US6855136B2 — Infusion catheter having an atraumatic tip

Claim 1

Independent Claim 162 words

Apparatus suitable for disrupting a vascular occlusion adhered to a vessel wall, the apparatus comprising: an infusion catheter having proximal and distal ends and a lumen extending therebetween, an atraumatic tip disposed at the distal end, and at least one delivery port disposed proximal of the atraumatic tip in fluid communication with the lumen, the at least one delivery port configured to infuse fluid into the occlusion so that the fluid reduces adhesion of the occlusion to an intima of the vessel wall; an emboli removal catheter having a proximal end, a distal end including an occlusive element, and a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends, the lumen sized to permit the longitudinal advancement of the infusion catheter therethrough; and a venous return sheath having proximal and distal ends and a lumen extending therebetween, the venous return sheath in fluid communication with the lumen of the emboli removal catheter and is adapted to be disposed in a patient's venous system.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 162 words

Apparatus suitable for disrupting a vascular occlusion adhered to a vessel wall, the apparatus comprising: an infusion catheter having proximal and distal ends and a lumen extending therebetween, an atraumatic tip disposed at the distal end, and at least one delivery port disposed proximal of the atraumatic tip in fluid communication with the lumen, the at least one delivery port configured to infuse fluid into the occlusion so that the fluid reduces adhesion of the occlusion to an intima of the vessel wall; an emboli removal catheter having a proximal end, a distal end including an occlusive element, and a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends, the lumen sized to permit the longitudinal advancement of the infusion catheter therethrough; and a venous return sheath having proximal and distal ends and a lumen extending therebetween, the venous return sheath in fluid communication with the lumen of the emboli removal catheter and is adapted to be disposed in a patient's venous system.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 13 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the atraumatic tip comprises a platinum coil.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 30 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one delivery port delivers a jet of fluid that forms an oblique angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the infusion catheter.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 18 words

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the delivery port causes fluid to be ejected in a proximal direction.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 13 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the delivery port comprises a circular configuration.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 23 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the infusion catheter further comprises at least one radiopaque marker band disposed proximal of the atraumatic tip.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 31 words

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein a first radiopaque marker band is disposed proximal of the delivery port and a second radiopaque marker band is disposed distal of the delivery port.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 10 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fluid is saline.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 23 words

The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a removable stylet that is configured to be longitudinally advanced within the lumen of infusion catheter.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 25 words

The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an infusion pump configured to regulate the flow of fluid infused into the lumen of the infusion catheter.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 11 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fluid is a drug.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 46 words

The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a valve disposed between the emboli removal catheter and the venous return sheath, wherein the valve is configured to selectively inhibit fluid communication between the lumen of the emboli removal catheter and the lumen of the venous return sheath.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 20 words

The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a filter disposed between the emboli removal catheter and the venous return sheath.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 120 words

Apparatus suitable for treating an occlusion adhered to a vessel wall, the apparatus comprising: an infusion catheter having proximal and distal ends and a lumen extending therebetween, an atraumatic tip disposed at the distal end, and at least one delivery port disposed proximal of the atraumatic tip in fluid communication with the lumen; and a centering device having proximal and distal ends and a lumen extending therebetween, the centering device comprising a plurality of deployable struts disposed at the distal end, the lumen adapted to permit the infusion catheter to pass therethrough, wherein the infusion catheter is configured to infuse fluid into the occlusion so that the fluid reduces adhesion of the occlusion to an intima of the vessel wall.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 120 words

Apparatus suitable for treating an occlusion adhered to a vessel wall, the apparatus comprising: an infusion catheter having proximal and distal ends and a lumen extending therebetween, an atraumatic tip disposed at the distal end, and at least one delivery port disposed proximal of the atraumatic tip in fluid communication with the lumen; and a centering device having proximal and distal ends and a lumen extending therebetween, the centering device comprising a plurality of deployable struts disposed at the distal end, the lumen adapted to permit the infusion catheter to pass therethrough, wherein the infusion catheter is configured to infuse fluid into the occlusion so that the fluid reduces adhesion of the occlusion to an intima of the vessel wall.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 38 words

The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising an outer sheath having proximal and distal ends and a lumen extending therebetween, the outer sheath being configured to constrain the deployable struts in a contracted state within the outer sheath.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 20 words

The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the deployable struts are sized to engage the vessel wall in a deployed state.

Claim 19

Independent Claim 12 words

The apparatus of 14 wherein the deployable struts comprise a nickel-titanium alloy.

Claim 20

Independent Claim 12 words

The apparatus of 14 wherein the deployable struts comprise a nickel-titanium alloy.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 30 words

The apparatus of claim 14 wherein at least one delivery port delivers a jet of fluid that forms an oblique angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the infusion catheter.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 18 words

The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the delivery port causes fluid to be ejected in a proximal direction.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 23 words

The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the infusion catheter further comprises at least one radiopaque marker band disposed proximal of the atraumatic tip.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 31 words

The apparatus of claim 20 wherein a first radiopaque marker band is disposed proximal of the delivery port and a second radiopaque marker band is disposed distal of the delivery port.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 51 words

The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising an emboli removal catheter having proximal and distal ends and a lumen extending therebetween, and further comprising an occlusive element disposed at the distal end, wherein the lumen of the emboli removal catheter is sized to permit the longitudinal advancement of the centering device.

Claim 26

Independent Claim 155 words

A method for treating an occlusion adhered to a vessel wall, the method comprising: providing an infusion catheter having proximal and distal ends, a lumen extending therebetween, an atraumatic tip disposed at the distal end, and at least one delivery port disposed proximal of the atraumatic tip in fluid communication with the lumen; providing a centering device having proximal and distal ends, a lumen extending therebetween, and a plurality of deployable struts disposed at the distal end in a contracted state; positioning the centering device at a location proximal of the occlusion; deploying the plurality of deployable struts; and advancing the infusion catheter through the lumen of the centering device to advance the atraumatic tip through the occlusion; positioning the delivery port at a desired location within the occlusion; and infusing fluid into the occlusion via the delivery port so that the fluid reduces adhesion of the occlusion to an intima of the vessel wall.

Claim 27

Independent Claim 155 words

A method for treating an occlusion adhered to a vessel wall, the method comprising: providing an infusion catheter having proximal and distal ends, a lumen extending therebetween, an atraumatic tip disposed at the distal end, and at least one delivery port disposed proximal of the atraumatic tip in fluid communication with the lumen; providing a centering device having proximal and distal ends, a lumen extending therebetween, and a plurality of deployable struts disposed at the distal end in a contracted state; positioning the centering device at a location proximal of the occlusion; deploying the plurality of deployable struts; and advancing the infusion catheter through the lumen of the centering device to advance the atraumatic tip through the occlusion; positioning the delivery port at a desired location within the occlusion; and infusing fluid into the occlusion via the delivery port so that the fluid reduces adhesion of the occlusion to an intima of the vessel wall.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 55 words

The method of claim 23 wherein positioning the delivery port at a desired location within the occlusion comprises: providing at least one radiopaque marker band disposed on the infusion catheter at a location proximal of the atraumatic tip; and using the radiopaque marker band to determine the position of the delivery port within the occlusion.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method of claim 23 wherein fluid is infused into the occlusion at a controlled rate using an infusion pump.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 110 words

The method of claim 23 further comprising: providing an emboli removal catheter having proximal and distal ends and a lumen extending therebetween, and further comprising an occlusive element disposed at the distal end, wherein the lumen of the emboli removal catheter is sized to permit the longitudinal advancement of the infusion catheter; deploying the occlusive element at a position proximal of the centering device to occlude antegrade flow in a vessel; establishing retrograde flow through the lumen of the emboli removal catheter to influence flow characteristics in a treatment vessel; and causing emboli generated during the infusion of fluid into the occlusion to be directed into the emboli removal catheter.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 16 words

The method of claim 23 wherein fluid is infused into the occlusion in a proximal direction.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method of claim 23 wherein deploying the plurality of deployable struts comprises proximally retracting an outer sheath that is used to constrain the deployable struts in the contracted state.

Claim 33

Independent Claim 213 words

A method for treating an occlusion adhered to a wall of a patient's vessel, the method comprising: providing an emboli removal system having a proximal end adapted to be inserted in a patient's venous system, distal end including an occlusive element, and a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends; providing an infusion catheter having proximal and distal ends, a lumen extending therebetween, an atraumatic tip disposed at the distal end, and at least one delivery port disposed proximal of the atraumatic tip in fluid communication with the lumen; advancing the distal end of the emboli removal system through the vessel to a position proximal of the occlusion; deploying the occlusion element to occlude antegrade flow through the vessel; inserting the proximal end of the emboli removal system into the patient's venous system; advancing the infusion catheter so that the atraumatic tip penetrates the occlusion; positioning the delivery port at a desired location within the occlusion; infusing fluid into the occlusion via the delivery port to reduce adhesion of the occlusion to an intima of the vessel wall, dislodge the occlusion and generate emboli; aspirating emboli-laden blood through the emboli removal system; filtering emboli-laden blood aspirated through from the vessel to remove emboli; and re-infusing filtered blood into the patient's venous system.

Claim 34

Independent Claim 213 words

A method for treating an occlusion adhered to a wall of a patient's vessel, the method comprising: providing an emboli removal system having a proximal end adapted to be inserted in a patient's venous system, distal end including an occlusive element, and a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends; providing an infusion catheter having proximal and distal ends, a lumen extending therebetween, an atraumatic tip disposed at the distal end, and at least one delivery port disposed proximal of the atraumatic tip in fluid communication with the lumen; advancing the distal end of the emboli removal system through the vessel to a position proximal of the occlusion; deploying the occlusion element to occlude antegrade flow through the vessel; inserting the proximal end of the emboli removal system into the patient's venous system; advancing the infusion catheter so that the atraumatic tip penetrates the occlusion; positioning the delivery port at a desired location within the occlusion; infusing fluid into the occlusion via the delivery port to reduce adhesion of the occlusion to an intima of the vessel wall, dislodge the occlusion and generate emboli; aspirating emboli-laden blood through the emboli removal system; filtering emboli-laden blood aspirated through from the vessel to remove emboli; and re-infusing filtered blood into the patient's venous system.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 52 words

The method of claim 29 wherein positioning the delivery port at a desired location within the occlusion comprises: providing at least one radiopaque marker band disposed on the infusion catheter adjacent to the delivery port; and using the radiopaque marker band to determine the position of the delivery port within the occlusion.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 26 words

The method of claim 29 wherein infusing fluid into the occlusion further comprises infusing fluid into the occlusion at a controlled rate using an infusion pump.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 19 words

The method of claim 29 further comprising, prior to advancing the infusion catheter, establishing retrograde flow through the vessel.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method of claim 29 wherein infusing fluid into the occlusion further comprises infusing fluid into the occlusion in a proximal direction.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 95 words

The method of claim 29 further comprising: providing a centering device having proximal and distal ends, a lumen extending therebetween, and a plurality of deployable struts disposed at the distal end in a contracted state; prior to advancing the infusion catheter, inserting the centering device through the lumen of the emboli removal system to position the centering device at a location proximal of the occlusion and distal of the occlusive element; deploying the plurality of deployable struts; and wherein advancing the infusion catheter comprises advancing the infusion catheter through the lumen of the centering device.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method of claim 34 wherein deploying the plurality of deployable struts comprises proximally retracting an outer sheath that is used to constrain the deployable struts in the contracted state.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2008-02-15	2008-08-16	2009-02-15	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2012-02-15	2012-08-16	2013-02-15	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2016-02-15	2016-08-16	2017-02-15	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Infusion catheter having an atraumatic tip

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