Rheolytic occlusion removal catheter system and method

Abstract

Abstract A catheter system of this invention comprises elongate, hollow, inner (14) and outer (12) coaxial catheters having distal and proximate ends. The distal end of the outer catheter terminates short of the distal end of the inner catheter. The catheters may be independently movable with respect to each other. The inner catheter wall defines a central lumen (18) which fluidly couples the proximal and distal ends of the inner catheter and through which a guide wire (60) can pass. The central lumen has a reduced diameter distal portion which, with an occluder means (e.g., a guide wire), is adapted to restrict distal fluid delivery therethrough. The distal end of the inner catheter is fluidly coupled to a diffusion manifold (28) which includes a plurality of fluid diffusion orifices. Located between the diffusion manifold and the distal end of the outer catheter is a diffuser (40). The diffuser, which may be fixedly or rotatably mounted, is located so that fluid exiting from the diffusion orifices impinges thereon and is dispersed toward the occlusion.

Inventors

• 👤 Creg W. Dance
• 👤 Steven J. Erb

Bibliographic Details