The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 06, 2003
Filed:
Dec. 05, 1994
William J. Drasler, Minnetonka, MN (US);
Robert G. Dutcher, Maple Grove, MN (US);
Mark L. Jenson, Greenfield, MN (US);
Joseph M. Thielen, Buffalo, MN (US);
Emmanuil I. Protonotarios, Brooklyn Park, MN (US);
Possis Medical, Inc., Minneapolis, MN (US);
Abstract
A method of and apparatus for removing a thrombus deposit from the cardiovascular system of a patient without the need to surgically access the location of the thrombus deposit via a cut-down or other surgical procedure. A catheter is inserted percutaneously into the patient at a convenient location either directly or over a previously positioned guide wire. The distal end of the catheter is advanced under fluoroscopy to the site of the thrombus deposit. A balloon is inflated to stabilize the position of the distal end of the catheter within the center of the vessel lumen. A flexible metal tube conveys an extremely high pressure stream of sterile saline solution to at least one jet at the distal end of the catheter. At least one jet positions the thrombus deposit for emulsification by at least one other jet. By directing the jets toward the orifice of the large evacuation lumen of the catheter, a stagnation pressure is induced which propels the emulsion proximally for disposal. The rate of proximal flow of effluent is metered to correspond with the distal flow of saline solution to ensure minimal local impact on the vasculature at the site of the thrombus deposit.