U.S. patent application number 14/181657 was filed with the patent office on 2014-06-12 for cutting wire assembly for use with a catheter.
This patent application is currently assigned to Rex Medical L.P.. The applicant listed for this patent is James Erich Bressler, James F. McGuckin, JR., Israel Schur. Invention is credited to James Erich Bressler, James F. McGuckin, JR., Israel Schur.
Application Number | 20140163593 14/181657 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46065038 |
Filed Date | 2014-06-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140163593 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schur; Israel ; et
al. |
June 12, 2014 |
CUTTING WIRE ASSEMBLY FOR USE WITH A CATHETER
Abstract
A method of treating a lesion in a body lumen to enlarge a
passageway in the lumen including inserting a plurality of cutting
members and a tracking member through a first lumen of a catheter,
withdrawing the catheter from the cutting members and tracking
member, inserting the catheter over the tracking member and leaving
the cutting members outside the catheter, and expanding a portion
of the catheter to move the cutting members into cutting contact
with the lesion. A device for treating a lesion in a body lumen
including a plurality of cutting members and a tracking member is
also provided.
Inventors: |
Schur; Israel; (Teaneck,
NJ) ; McGuckin, JR.; James F.; (Radnor, PA) ;
Bressler; James Erich; (Langhorne, PA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Schur; Israel
McGuckin, JR.; James F.
Bressler; James Erich |
Teaneck
Radnor
Langhorne |
NJ
PA
PA |
US
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Rex Medical L.P.
Conshohocken
PA
|
Family ID: |
46065038 |
Appl. No.: |
14/181657 |
Filed: |
February 15, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13226699 |
Sep 7, 2011 |
8685049 |
|
|
14181657 |
|
|
|
|
61414931 |
Nov 18, 2010 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
606/159 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 2017/22051
20130101; A61B 2017/22001 20130101; A61B 17/320725 20130101; A61B
2017/22038 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
606/159 |
International
Class: |
A61B 17/3207 20060101
A61B017/3207 |
Claims
1-20. (canceled)
21. A device for treating a lesion in a body lumen to enlarge a
passageway in the body lumen, the device comprising a plurality of
cutting members having a proximal portion and a distal portion and
a tracking member having a proximal portion and a distal portion,
the cutting members and tracking member being connected at the
distal portion and insertable into the vessel as a unit, the
cutting members configured for movement in a direction transverse
to a longitudinal axis of the tracking member to widen a gap
between the cutting members and tracking member at least at a
distal region.
22. The device of claim 21, wherein the cutting members have a
cutting surface on a first surface opposite a second surface facing
the tracking member.
23. The device of claim 21, wherein the second surface has a convex
surface.
24. The device of claim 21, wherein the tracking member has a coil
at a distal end, and a shrink wrap is positioned over a connection
region of the cutting member and tracking member.
25. The device of claim 21, wherein the tracking member includes a
plurality of marker bands.
26. The device of claim 21, wherein the cutting surface is formed
only in a distal region of the cutting members.
27. A system for treating a lesion in body lumen to enlarge a
passageway in the body lumen comprising: a catheter having a lumen
and an expandable portion; and a cutting assembly including a
plurality of cutting members and a tracking member, the tracking
member attached to at least one of the cutting members, wherein the
expandable portion of the catheter is expandable to move the
cutting members in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of
the tracking member, the cutting member having a cutting surface
configured to treat the lesion to enlarge the passageway in the
body lumen when moved by the expandable portion of the
catheter.
28. The system of claim 27, wherein at least one of the cutting
members and tracking member are connected at distal regions
thereof.
29. The device of claim 27, wherein the tracking member has a coil
at a distal end, and a shrink wrap is positioned over a connection
region of the cutting member and tracking member.
30. The system of claim 27, wherein the cutting region is
substantially triangular in cross-section.
31. The device of claim 22, wherein cutting surface has a flat
edge.
32. The device of claim 21, wherein the cutting members move on
opposite sides of the tracking member.
33. The device of claim 21, wherein the cutting members have a
first portion of a first configuration and a second portion of a
second configuration, the second portion including a cutting
surface and the first portion being atraumatic.
34. The device of claim 33, wherein a height of the second portion
is less than a height of the first portion.
35. The device of claim 21, wherein the cutting members are wires
and the tracking member is a wire.
36. The device of claim 21, wherein a length of the tracking member
exceeds a length of the cutting members.
37. The device of claim 27, wherein the cutting member are wires
and the tracking member is a wire.
38. The system of claim 27, wherein the cutting members have a
first portion of a first configuration and a second portion of a
second configuration, the second portion including a cutting
surface and the first portion being atraumatic.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority from provisional
application Ser. No. 61/414,931, filed Nov. 18, 2010, the entire
contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] This application relates to a system and method for treating
stenotic lesions of a vessel and more particularly relates to
cutting wires for use with a catheter to open stenotic lesions in
vessels.
[0004] 2. Background of Related Art
[0005] Several methods have been utilized to treat stenotic lesions
of vessels. With stenotic lesions, the vessel diameter is
constricted and therefore attempts have been made to widen this
constriction. One method is an invasive surgical procedure where
the vessel wall is cut open and the portion containing the plaque
or other constricting structure is removed. This procedure is
traumatic, complex, and results in a long recovery time for the
patient. It also causes a weakening of the vessel wall since a
portion of the wall is removed. A weakened wall can ultimately
result in an aneurysm which is a dilatation (expansion) of the
artery, which adversely affects vessel function and if not
surgically treated could be life threatening to the patient.
[0006] In order to reduce trauma to the patient, reduce the patient
recovery time and reduce hospital costs, minimally invasive
procedures have been developed to treat stenotic lesions. Balloon
angioplasty is one such method. In angioplasty, a balloon is placed
in the stenosed (restricted) portion of the vessel and inflated to
compress the plaque against the vessel wall, thereby increasing the
lumen in the vessel to improve blood flow. That is, the balloon is
inflated to push the lesion radially outwardly to widen the
passageway. Some stenotic lesions are resistant to conventional
pressure balloons. Consequently, high pressure balloons have been
developed to treat resistant stenotic lesions. However, such high
pressure balloons apply more force and increase the risk of vessel
trauma and rupture. Moreover, sometimes lesions are even resistant
to these high pressure balloons.
[0007] Additionally, the use of these angioplasty balloon catheters
oftentimes have only short term effect as it has been found that
restenosis frequently occurs after such treatment.
[0008] In an attempt to address such drawbacks as reducing the
likelihood of restenosis, and trauma, as well as to treat vessels
with highly resistant lesions, cutting balloon catheters were
developed. One such device is disclosed for example in U.S. Pat.
No. 5,196,024 which describes a catheter with a balloon and
longitudinal cutting edges. One of the many disadvantages of this
device, however, is it requires modifications of balloon catheters
which significantly increases the cost of the catheter. Another
disadvantage is that instead of using the procedural catheter, a
different catheter may be required with a cutting balloon.
Consequently, the surgeon would need to decide prior to the
procedure which type of catheter to utilize, although this may not
always be practical as the information to determine the type (e.g.
resistance) of the lesion may not be available until the lesion is
accessed and the extent of the disease is known. Thus, for example,
the surgeon may insert an angioplasty catheter, inflate the balloon
and find that it is insufficient to widen the vessel passageway.
The surgeon would then need to conduct the time consuming task of
removing the catheter and inserting a cutting balloon catheter,
threading it through the vascular system over a guidewire. Since
the catheters are inserted from a remote site, e.g. through the
femoral artery, these catheter exchanges take time and increase
trauma to the patient. Additionally, it adds to the cost of the
procedure since two catheters would be required. In order to
properly treat the diverse size and condition of each lesion, a
large inventory of multiple sized cutting balloons would be
required.
[0009] Conversely, in certain procedures, utilizing a cutting
balloon in soft lesions increases the risk of trauma or damage to
the vessel and therefore it would not be desirable to use a cutting
balloon catheter. Thus, an exchange for an angioplasty catheter
would be necessary.
[0010] Such catheter exchanges might also require guidewire
exchanges since the standard 0.035'' guidewire utilized for an
angioplasty catheter may be too large for the 0.018'' cutting
balloon catheter. The guidewire exchanges complicate the procedure,
increase the risk to the patient and increase the procedure time,
thereby increasing costs to the patient.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 7,131,981 attempts to address the foregoing
issues by providing a conversion device comprising an insertion
tube insertable into the normal 0.035'' guidewire lumen of an
angioplasty catheter. This device would not work for angioplasty
catheters with small guidewire lumens. The tube has two jacket
segments and a guide insert device having a channel and four guide
channels. Because of the complexity of the device, the cutting
elements in the four channels would need to be sufficiently thin to
be maintained in the smaller diameter device. Such thin (small
diameter) cutting elements however may be too flexible and not have
adequate stiffness to be effective. Additionally, the cutting
elements are attached at one end, having an opposite free end which
can potentially damage and perforate the vessel wall during
use.
[0012] The need therefore exists for an improved, more simplified
device and method to enable the selective use of a cutting wire for
treating stenosis.
SUMMARY
[0013] The present invention overcomes the disadvantages and
deficiencies of the prior art.
[0014] In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of
treating a lesion in a body lumen comprising inserting a plurality
of cutting members and a tracking member through a first lumen of a
catheter, withdrawing the catheter from the cutting members and
tracking member, inserting the catheter over the tracking member
while leaving the cutting members outside the catheter, and
expanding a portion of the catheter to move the cutting members
into cutting contact with the lesion to enlarge a passageway in the
body lumen.
[0015] In some embodiments, the step of inserting a catheter over
the tracking member comprises reinserting the same catheter through
which the cutting members and tracking member were initially
inserted. In other embodiments a different catheter is
utilized.
[0016] The catheter preferably includes an expandable balloon, and
the step of expanding the catheter preferably includes the step of
expanding a portion of the balloon to cause the cutting members to
be moved radially with respect to the catheter. Preferably, the
step of expanding a portion of the catheter causes a gap between
the cutting members and tracking member to widen.
[0017] In some embodiments, each of the cutting members has a
cutting edge opposite an edge facing the tracking member, and
expansion of a portion of the catheter forces the cutting edges
into diseased narrowed sections within the lesion.
[0018] In preferred embodiments, the cutting members and tracking
member are attached at their distal ends and inserted as a unit
through the lumen of the catheter.
[0019] In some embodiments, the length of the tracking member can
exceed the length of the cutting members.
[0020] In some embodiments, the cutting members have a first
portion of a first configuration and a second portion of a second
configuration, the second portion including a cutting surface and
the first portion being atraumatic. A height of the second portion
can be less than a height of the first portion.
[0021] The tracking member can have a coil at a distal tip. Marker
bands can be provided on the tracking member.
[0022] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method
of treating a lesion in a body lumen to enlarge a passageway in the
body lumen comprising inserting a plurality of cutting members and
a tracking member into the vessel, inserting a catheter over the
tracking member so the tracking member extends through a first
lumen of the catheter and the cutting members do not extend through
the first lumen, and moving the cutting members away from the
tracking member into cutting contact with the lesion to enlarge the
passageway in the body lumen.
[0023] Preferably, the step of inserting the cutting members and
tracking member comprises the step of inserting the cutting members
and tracking member through a lumen of a catheter.
[0024] In some embodiments, the catheter through which the cutting
and tracking members are initially inserted is the same catheter
subsequently inserted over the tracking member. In other
embodiments a different catheter is utilized. In some embodiments,
the step of moving the cutting members comprises the step of
expanding a balloon of the catheter. In preferred embodiments, the
cutting members and tracking member are wires and are attached at
their distal end and inserted as a unit into the vessel.
[0025] In some embodiments, the cutting member is substantially
circular in cross-section in a proximal region and substantially
triangular in a distal region.
[0026] In another aspect, the present invention provides a device
for treating a lesion in a body lumen to enlarge a passageway in a
body lumen comprising a plurality of cutting members having a
proximal portion and a distal portion and a tracking member having
a proximal portion and distal portion. The cutting members and
tracking member are connected at their distal portions and
insertable into the vessel as a unit, the cutting members
configured for movement in a direction transverse to a longitudinal
axis of the tracking member to widen a gap between the cutting
members and tracking member at least at a distal region.
[0027] In some embodiments, the cutting members each have a cutting
surface on a first surface opposite a second surface facing the
tracking member. In some embodiments, the cutting members have a
cutting surface with a flat edge on an edge opposite a surface
facing the tracking member. The surface opposite the cutting
surface can have a convex surface. In some embodiments, the
tracking member and cutting members are connected by twisting of
the members at the distal portion.
[0028] In some embodiments, the tracking member has a coil at a
distal end. A shrink wrap can be positioned over a connection
region of the cutting members and tracking member. The tracking
member can include a plurality of marker bands.
[0029] In some embodiments, the cutting surface is formed only in a
distal region of the cutting members.
[0030] In another aspect, the present invention provides a system
for treating lesions in a body lumen to enlarge a restriction in
the body lumen comprising a catheter having a lumen and an
expandable portion and a cutting assembly including a plurality of
cutting members and a tracking member, the tracking member attached
to at least one of the cutting members. The expandable portion of
the catheter is expandable to move the cutting members in a
direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the tracking member,
the cutting members having a cutting surface configured to treat
the lesion to enlarge a passageway in the body lumen when moved by
the expandable portion of the catheter.
[0031] In some embodiments, the cutting members and tracking member
are connected at distal regions thereof. In some embodiments, the
expandable portion comprises an inflatable balloon.
[0032] The tracking member can have a coil at a distal end. A
shrink wrap can be positioned over a connection region of the
cutting members and tracking member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] Preferred embodiment(s) of the present invention are
described herein with reference to the drawings wherein:
[0034] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional balloon
catheter and the cutting wire assembly (unit) of the present
invention showing the balloon expanded;
[0035] FIG. 1A is perspective view of an alternate embodiment of
the cutting wire assembly;
[0036] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the area of detail of FIG. 1
showing a portion of the cutting wire in accordance with one
embodiment;
[0037] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the cutting wire taken
along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;
[0038] FIGS. 3A-3E are views similar to FIG. 3 showing
cross-sectional views of alternate embodiments of the cutting wire
of the present invention;
[0039] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of
FIG. 1;
[0040] FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of
the cutting wire assembly of the present invention;
[0041] FIG. 5 is a partially exploded side view of the cutting wire
assembly of FIG. 1;
[0042] FIGS. 6-6E illustrate the method steps for use of the
cutting wire assembly of FIG. 1, the drawings showing
cross-sectional views, wherein:
[0043] FIG. 6 illustrates a conventional balloon catheter inserted
over a conventional guidewire;
[0044] FIG. 6A illustrates withdrawal of the conventional
guidewire;
[0045] FIG. 6B illustrates insertion of the cutting and tracking
elements of the present invention through the balloon catheter
lumen;
[0046] FIG. 6C illustrates withdrawal of the balloon catheter;
[0047] FIG. 6D illustrates the balloon catheter inserted over the
tracking element; and
[0048] FIG. 6E illustrates expansion of the balloon of the balloon
catheter to force the cutting elements into cutting contact with
the lesion.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0049] Referring now in detail to the drawings wherein like
reference numerals identify similar or like components throughout
the several views, the cutting assembly of the present invention
includes a plurality of cutting members (or elements) and a
tracking member (or element). More specifically, cutting assembly
includes, an assembly 110 having a tracking member, designated
generally by reference numeral 140, preferably in the form of a
wire, and two cutting members, designated generally by reference
numerals 120 and 130, and preferably in the form of wires. As
discussed in more detail below, the tracking wire 140 and cutting
wires 120, 130 are preferably attached at a distal portion so they
are insertable as a unit. The wire assembly 110, as described
below, can be used with a conventional catheter, such as an
angioplasty catheter. Additionally, although two cutting wires are
shown in FIG. 1, spaced about 180 degrees apart, different spacing
is also contemplated. Additionally, more than two cutting wires can
be provided, e.g. three cutting wires such as wires 180, 181, 182
of FIG. 4A, four cutting wires, etc. The three cutting wires 180,
181, 182, can be equidistantly spaced apart encircling tracking
wire 190 as shown or spaced at different distances.
[0050] The device of the present invention functions to treat the
stenotic lesion inside the vessel wall, thereby opening or
enlarging the passageway in the vessel which was restricted. The
stenosis can be a result of plaque buildup, endothelial growth,
blood clots, etc. The device can also be used to treat other
lesions restricting passageways in other body lumens.
[0051] With reference to FIGS. 1, 5 and 6C, the first cutting
member is in the form of a wire 120 and has a distal portion 122
which is connected to a distal portion 142 of a tracking member in
the form of a wire 140. In the illustrated embodiment, a distalmost
tip 123 of the cutting wire 120 is attached to the tracking
guidewire 140. Similarly, the second cutting member is in the form
of a wire 130 and has a distal portion 132 which is connected to
the distal portion 142 of the tracking member 140. In the
illustrated embodiment, a distalmost tip 133 of the cutting wire
130 is attached to the tracking guidewire 140. One way of
attachment of the wires 120, 130 to wire 140 is to twist the wires
together. Other methods of attachment are also contemplated such as
welding, bonding or placement of a separate element such as a
collar, e.g. collar 145, over the end of the wires to frictionally
engage the wires. The cutting wires 120, 130 remain unattached
proximal of the distal connection to enable them to be separated
from the tracking wire 140, e.g. moved transversely with respect to
the longitudinal axis of the tracking wire 140. In FIGS. 6B and 6C,
the initial position of the wires are shown; in FIGS. 6D and 6E the
wires are separated as described in detail below.
[0052] A coil 157 can be provided at the tip such as illustrated in
FIG. 1. Several marker bands 158 can be provided on tracking wire
140 for imaging. In the alternate embodiment of FIG. 1A, a shrink
wrap 153 can be provided over the connection region of the tracking
wire 140' and cutting wires 120', 130' of cutting assembly 110'.
The cutting assembly 110' can also include a coil similar to coil
157 and a shrink wrap similar to shrink wrap 153.
[0053] Note the tracking wire and cutting wires can be of
substantially the same length, both extending out of the body for
reinsertion of a catheter over the tracking wire as described
below. Alternatively, they can be of different lengths.
[0054] Various configurations of the cutting wires 120, 130 are
illustrated to effectively treat lesions. In the embodiment of FIG.
1, the wires 120, 130 are substantially circular in cross-section
until a transition region, i.e. region 125, where it transitions to
a wire substantially triangular in cross section forming a V-shaped
cutting surface 127 on a first surface opposite a second surface
129 facing the tracking wire 140 (FIG. 3). A concave or convex
surface can be formed on one, two or all three sides (see e.g. wire
170 of FIG. 3A). A convex surface on the side opposite the cutting
edge helps to conform to the outer surface of the catheter
balloon.
[0055] Other cross-sectional shapes of the cutting wires 120, 130
are also contemplated, including but not limited to, polygonal
shapes that are substantially: rectangular, square, trapezoidal
(see e.g. wire 175 of FIG. 3B), hexagonal, pentagonal, octagonal,
diamond shaped, etc. A round or oval wire cross-section with a
sharpened surface is also contemplated. In the embodiment of FIG.
3C, a rhombus shaped wire 180 is illustrated. This shape
facilitates cutting if the cutting wire is rotated. FIG. 3D
illustrates a caltrop shape wire 184 configured so that one point
will always point upward. FIG. 3E illustrates an upside down
T-shape wire 188. The base of wire 188 can be convex.
[0056] It is contemplated that cutting wire 130 has the same
configuration as cutting wire 120. However, in alternate
embodiments, the cutting wire 130 can have an alternate
configuration, including but not limited to, any of the foregoing
cross-sectional wire shapes.
[0057] Note, if desired, only a portion of the cutting wires 120,
130 can have the cutting edge or surface, e.g. the distal region,
with a remaining portion being atraumatic and non-cutting. This is
illustrated in FIG. 2, where the circular cross-section at a more
proximal region is atraumatic. Note a region distal of the cutting
portion can be atraumatic, e.g. can transition back to a
substantially circular cross-section.
[0058] One method of use of the wire assembly 110 of the present
invention will now be described. Wire assembly 110' would be used
in the same manner. Initially, a conventional angioplasty catheter
100 is inserted over a conventional guidewire G to the treatment
site as shown in FIG. 6. Guidewire G extends through a lumen 102 in
the catheter 100. Access to the vessel can be obtained through the
femoral artery or vein for example. Note the proximal end of the
catheter 100 and guidewire G extend outside the patient's body. The
angioplasty catheter 100 has an inflatable balloon 104 which is in
fluid communication with an inflation lumen of the catheter as is
conventional. At the target site, inflation of the balloon 104
expands the balloon to expand the lesion B and widen the lumen of
the vessel V.
[0059] If the stenotic lesion cannot be successfully opened by a
conventional balloon due to lack of force, the wire assembly 110
(or 110') of the present invention can be utilized. In this case,
the guidewire G is removed from the guidewire lumen 102 of the
catheter 100 (see FIG. 6B) and the wire assembly 110 is inserted
through the lumen 102 as shown in FIG. 6B. Thus, by insertion
through the lumen 102, the tracking guidewire 140 and cutting wires
120, 130 of wire assembly 110 are inserted to the target site.
[0060] Next, the catheter 100 is removed from the treatment site
and vessel, and removed from the body, leaving the wire assembly
110 at the target site as shown in FIG. 6C. The catheter 100 is
then reinserted over the proximal end of tracking wire 140. Note
that instead of reinserting the same catheter used in the step of
FIG. 6, alternatively, a different balloon catheter can be
inserted. In either event, the catheter 100 is inserted over the
proximal portion of the tracking wire 140 such that the tracking
wire 140 extends through the lumen 102; however, cutting wires 120
and 130 remain outside the lumen 102 as shown in FIG. 6D. In this
manner, the tracking wire 140 provides a guide for the catheter 100
to the target site, while the cutting wires remain adjacent an
outer surface of the catheter 100 for subsequent expansion into
contact with the lesion. As shown in FIG. 6D, there is an increased
gap 125 between the cutting wires 120, 130 and tracking wire 140
caused by the catheter 100 positioned between the tracking wire 140
and the two wires 120, 130.
[0061] To expand or move the cutting wires 120, 130 transversely
with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tracking wire 140 (and
transverse to the longitudinal axis of the catheter 100), the
balloon 104 is inflated, forcing the cutting wires 120 and 130 into
contact with the lesion B so the cutting edge or surface can treat
the lesion. It should be appreciated that instead of a balloon, a
mechanical expander or other structure can be used to force the
cutting wires 120, 130 radially and into contact with the lesion.
If desired, the balloon 104 can be deflated and the wire assembly
easily rotated to another position for subsequent transverse
movement of the cutting wires by the balloon into contact with
another region of the lesion B to treat select portions of the
stenosis.
[0062] As can be appreciated, the method described above utilizes
the same catheter for the initial step (FIG. 6) as well as for the
subsequent step of reinsertion for placement only over the tracking
wire 140 (FIG. 6D). However, it is also contemplated that a
different catheter can be used for reinsertion over only the
tracking wire 140.
[0063] Also, as shown, a single balloon is utilized to expand both
wires substantially simultaneously. It is also contemplated that a
separate balloon or separate expansion of the single balloon can be
used to move the wires 120, 130 independently/separately.
[0064] As can be appreciated, the wire assembly 110 can accommodate
balloon catheters having relatively small guidewire lumens.
[0065] Also, although access is described through the femoral
artery, other approaches to the target site are also contemplated.
Additionally, although described for use to treat lesions in vessel
lumens, it can also be used to remove other structures constricting
the passageway in the vessel or in other body lumens.
[0066] The cutting and tracking components are illustrated as
wires, but other structures for the cutting member and tracking
member are also contemplated such as a hard plastic tube or a metal
hypotube. The metal hypotube can be formed with a cutting surface
or alternatively have a cutting member such as a cutting tube
attached thereto.
[0067] The cutting wire assembly of the present invention as
described can be used in various vessels including for example,
veins such as the femoral veins, grafts such as dialysis grafts,
etc. Other vessels are also contemplated such as use in carotid
arteries, coronary arteries, the descending aorta and renal
arteries, the external iliac and internal iliac arteries and the
common femoral and deep femoral arteries. Applications for this
device include, but are not limited to, treating stenotic venous
and arterial anastomosis, lesions resistant to conventional
angioplasty, stent restenosis, and vessels with buildup of intima,
etc.
[0068] While the above description contains many specifics, those
specifics should not be construed as limitations on the scope of
the disclosure, but merely as exemplifications of preferred
embodiments thereof. Those skilled in the art will envision many
other possible variations that are within the scope and spirit of
the disclosure as defined by the claims appended hereto.
* * * * *