U.S. patent application number 15/145516 was filed with the patent office on 2016-11-03 for material capturing guidewire.
The applicant listed for this patent is The Spectranetics Corporation. Invention is credited to Brandon Thomas HENDRICK.
Application Number | 20160317173 15/145516 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51531039 |
Filed Date | 2016-11-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160317173 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HENDRICK; Brandon Thomas |
November 3, 2016 |
MATERIAL CAPTURING GUIDEWIRE
Abstract
This disclosure discusses various methods and devices for
capturing plaque that is to be removed from a blood vessel after
the plaque has been separated from the blood vessel or remaining
plaque.
Inventors: |
HENDRICK; Brandon Thomas;
(Colorado Springs, CO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
The Spectranetics Corporation |
Colorado Springs |
CO |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
51531039 |
Appl. No.: |
15/145516 |
Filed: |
May 3, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
14686424 |
Apr 14, 2015 |
9345508 |
|
|
15145516 |
|
|
|
|
13801149 |
Mar 13, 2013 |
|
|
|
14686424 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 18/245 20130101;
A61B 2017/320064 20130101; A61B 2017/22034 20130101; A61B 17/22
20130101; A61B 2017/22042 20130101; A61B 2017/320716 20130101; A61B
2018/00386 20130101; A61B 17/3207 20130101; A61B 2018/00577
20130101; A61B 17/32053 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61B 17/3207 20060101
A61B017/3207; A61B 17/22 20060101 A61B017/22; A61B 18/24 20060101
A61B018/24 |
Claims
1-20. (canceled)
21. A method of removing plaque within a blood vessel, the method
comprising the steps of: inserting a catheter into the blood
vessel; separating at least a portion of the plaque from the blood
vessel using the catheter; inserting a guidewire into the blood
vessel; attaching the portion of the plaque within the blood vessel
to a portion of the guidewire; and concurrently removing, from the
blood vessel, the guidewire and the plaque attached to the
guidewire.
22-31. (canceled)
32. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of removing
the catheter from the blood vessel.
33. The method of claim 32, wherein the guidewire and the plaque
attached to the guidewire are removed from the blood vessel prior
to removing the catheter from the blood vessel.
34. The method of claim 32, wherein the guidewire and the plaque
attached to the guidewire are removed from the blood vessel
concurrently with removing the catheter from the blood vessel.
35. The method of claim 32, wherein the guidewire and the plaque
attached to the guidewire are removed from the blood vessel after
removing the catheter from the blood vessel.
36. The method of claim 21, wherein the catheter comprises a blade
for cutting the portion of the plaque from the blood vessel.
37. The method of claim 21, wherein the catheter comprises a
plurality of laser emitters for ablating the portion of the plaque
from the blood vessel.
38. The method of claim 21, wherein the guidewire comprises a
plurality of protrusions extending radially therefrom.
39. The method of claim 38, wherein the protrusions are tines.
40. The method of claim 38, wherein the protrusions are barbs.
41. The method of claim 38, wherein the guidewire comprises at
least one helically shaped flute.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a divisional of prior U.S.
application Ser. No. 14/686,424, filed Apr. 14, 2015, entitled
Material Capturing Guidewire, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,345,508, which is
a divisional of prior U.S. application Ser. No. 13/801,149, filed
Mar. 13, 2013, entitled Material Capturing Guidewire, now
abandoned. Each of the above documents are hereby incorporated
herein by reference in their entireties for all that they teach and
for all purposes.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to guidewires,
including methods for using guidewires and systems incorporating
guidewires for capturing and removing unwanted plaque in a
patient's vascular system.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a disease in which
plaque builds up in the arteries that carry blood to a subject's
head, organs, and limbs. Plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol,
calcium, fibrous tissue, and other substances in the blood. Over
time, plaque hardens and narrows the subject's arteries. This
limits the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the subject's organs and
other parts of the body. When plaque builds up in the body's
arteries, the condition is called atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis
(also known as arteriosclerotic vascular disease or ASVD) is a
condition in which an artery wall thickens. This condition is
commonly referred to as a hardening or furring of the arteries.
[0004] Atherosclerosis can affect any artery in the patient's
vascular system, including arteries in the heart, brain, arms,
legs, pelvis, and kidneys. As a result, diseases other than PAD,
may develop based on which arteries are affected. For example,
coronary heart disease (CHD), also called coronary artery disease
occurs when plaque builds up in the coronary arteries, thereby
narrowing the coronary arteries and reducing blood flow to the
heart muscle. If blood flow to the heart is reduced or blocked, the
subject may incur chest pain or discomfort or a heart attack.
Carotid artery disease occurs if plaque builds up in the arteries
on each side of a subject's neck (the carotid arteries), which
supply oxygen-rich blood to the brain. If blood flow to the brain
is reduced or blocked, the subject may have a stroke. Chronic
kidney disease can occur if plaque builds up in the renal arteries,
which supply oxygen-rich blood to the kidneys. Accordingly, chronic
kidney disease may cause a gradual loss of kidney function.
[0005] A variety of options, including surgery, exist for treating
atherosclerosis. One such surgical option is atherectomy, which is
a minimally invasive surgical procedure for removing plaque from
the blood vessel (e.g., artery, vein, vein graft) with a catheter.
The catheter generally has a working tip, such as a sharp blade to
cut the plaque or a laser to ablate the plaque. These catheters,
particularly, the sharp bladed catheter, may also be designed to
collect the cut plaque in a chamber its tip, thereby allowing the
plaque to be removed as the device is removed from the blood
vessel. Examples of such mechanical cutting atherectomy catheters
may include those illustrated and discussed in U.S. Publication
Nos. 2008/0154293 and 2008/0154296 both of which are incorporated
herein by this reference in their entirety.
[0006] Additionally, examples of laser ablation atherectomy
catheters may include in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,456,680 and 5,643,251
both of which are incorporated herein by this reference in their
entirety. Furthermore, Spectranetics Corporation, the assignee of
this disclosure, sells a coronary laser atherectomy catheter under
the trade name ELCA.TM. and a laser ablation under the trade name
Turbo Elite.TM., which is used to treat PAD, particularly above and
below the knee. Laser catheters, such as these, have a plurality of
laser emitters at its distal tip. The catheters may also have a
central passageway or lumen which receives a guidewire. The
guidewire is typically inserted into the blood vessel prior to
catheter introduction and traverses the occlusion. Once the
guidewire is inserted, it facilitates the advancement and placement
of the catheter to the selected portion(s) of the blood vessel for
laser ablation of plaque.
SUMMARY
[0007] Accordingly, there is a need for a device, method and/or
system such as a guidewire that has the ability not only to
traverse the plaque or other lesion material, but also to engage,
within a blood vessel, the plaque or other lesion material that is
to be removed.
[0008] A method for removing plaque within a blood vessel,
according to this disclosure, may include the steps of inserting a
guidewire into a blood vessel, attaching plaque within the blood
vessel to a portion of the guidewire, inserting a catheter into the
blood vessel over the guidewire, separating at least a portion of
the plaque from the blood vessel using the catheter, and
concurrently removing, from the blood vessel, the guidewire and the
plaque attached to the guidewire.
[0009] A device, according to this disclosure, for performing the
method may include a guidewire for insertion into a blood vessel
having an elongated member and a roughened (e.g., irregular,
abrasive, or otherwise contoured) surface on the elongated member
configured to attach plaque within a blood vessel to the elongated
member.
[0010] A device, according to this disclosure, for performing such
method, may also include a guidewire having an elongated member,
and a means for attaching plaque within a blood vessel to the
elongated member.
[0011] The roughened surface and/or means for attaching the plaque
to the elongated member may include a plurality of protrusions,
such as tines or barbs, extending radially from the elongated
member, thereby providing the plaque the type of structure onto
which the plaque can attach. Alternatively the roughened surface
and/or means for attaching the plaque to the elongated member may
include a flute within the guidewire. These means may also provide
the clinician, who is navigating the guidewire through the
subject's blood vessel, tactile feedback when a portion of the
guidewire has reached, traversed or engaged the plaque at the
lesion site.
[0012] The guidewire can further include an unroughened surface on
the elongated member having a degree of roughness less than that of
the roughened surface. Commonly, the unroughened surface is at a
proximal portion of the guidewire, and the roughened surface is at
a distal portion of the guidewire. Surface roughness measurement(s)
can be done using surface measurement or metrology techniques. As
will be appreciated, surface measurement determines surface
topography. Surface measurement conceptually includes surface
shape, surface finish, surface profile roughness (R.sub.a), or in
surface area roughness (S.sub.a), surface texture, asperity and
structural characterization. In three dimensional optical
profilometry, roughness is usually expressed as surface area
roughness (Sa). Profile roughness (Ra) can be extracted as a line
through an area. Interestingly, Sa is also able to report average
Ra through a surface by averaging several profiles.
[0013] The guidewire's engagement of the plaque assists in the
plaque attaching to the guidewire and remaining attached to the
guidewire while a separation device, such as a mechanical cutting
or laser ablation catheter, separates the plaque or other lesion
material from the blood vessel. Because the plaque or other lesion
material remains captured and attached to the guidewire, once the
plaque is separated from the blood vessel, the plaque can be
removed from the blood vessel as a substantially solid object along
with removal of the guidewire. In other words, the separated plaque
may be able to be completely removed from the blood vessel along
with the guidewire through a lumen within the catheter and/or along
with the catheter, thereby potentially reducing the possibility
that particles of plaque may be left behind in the blood vessel
when the catheter is removed.
[0014] Similarly, the guidewire may be inserted into the separation
device after the plaque or other lesion material has been separated
from the blood vessel. Upon being inserted into the separation
device, the guidewire may engage the separated plaque within the
separation device and be removed from the separation device as a
substantially solid object.
[0015] The phrases "at least one", "one or more", and "and/or" are
open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in
operation. For example, each of the expressions "at least one of A,
B and C", "at least one of A, B, or C", "one or more of A, B, and
C", "one or more of A, B, or C" and "A, B, and/or C" means A alone,
B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C
together, or A, B and C together. When each one of A, B, and C in
the above expressions refers to an element, such as X, Y, and Z, or
class of elements, such as Y.sub.1-Y.sub.m, and Z.sub.1-Z.sub.0,
the phrase is intended to refer to a single element selected from
X, Y, and Z, a combination of elements selected from the same class
(e.g., X.sub.1 and X.sub.2) as well as a combination of elements
selected from two or more classes (e.g., Y.sub.1 and Z.sub.0).
[0016] The term "a" or "an" entity refers to one or more of that
entity. As such, the terms "a" (or "an"), "one or more" and "at
least one" may be used interchangeably herein. It is also to be
noted that the terms "comprising", "including", and "having" may be
used interchangeably.
[0017] A "barb" is a projection having a relatively dull or sharp
point facing in a direction opposite to that in which the device to
which it is attached initially travels. Examples of objects that
have a barb include an arrow, a harpoon and a fish hook.
[0018] A "catheter" is a tube that can be inserted into a body
cavity, duct, lumen, or blood vessel, such as the vasculature
system. In most uses, a catheter is a relatively thin, flexible
tube ("soft" catheter), though in some uses, it may be a larger,
solid, less flexible--but possibly still flexible--catheter ("hard"
catheter). Additionally, the catheter may also have a working tip,
such as a sharp blade to cut the bodily material (e.g., plaque) or
a laser to ablate the bodily material, with which it contacts.
[0019] A "flute" is a groove that may twist around the elongated
member in which it is formed. Flutes can vary in size and shape.
Additionally, the number of flutes may also vary. An example of a
device that includes a flute is a drill bit, which typically has a
one or more relatively deep grooves that twist around the bit.
[0020] The term "means" as used herein shall be given its broadest
possible interpretation in accordance with 35 U.S.C., Section 112,
Paragraph 6. Accordingly, a claim incorporating the term "means"
shall cover all structures, materials, or acts set forth herein,
and all of the equivalents thereof. Further, the structures,
materials or acts and the equivalents thereof shall include all
those described in the summary of the invention, brief description
of the drawings, detailed description, abstract, and claims
themselves.
[0021] The term "plaque" shall mean material within a subject's
vascular system that comprises fat, cholesterol, calcium, fibrous
tissue, and other substances in the blood.
[0022] The term "roughened" refers to a surface that is uneven,
irregular, coarse, rough, not smooth, abrasive, and/or unlevel. For
example, a roughened surface can be a surface marked by
irregularities, protuberances, projections, inequalities, and/or
ridges.
[0023] A "tine" is a branching spike or prong or other type of
protrusion configured to engage bodily material, including plaque.
Tines may be blunt or sharp, and tines may be constructed of
biocompatible material.
[0024] It should be understood that every maximum numerical
limitation given throughout this disclosure is deemed to include
each and every lower numerical limitation as an alternative, as if
such lower numerical limitations were expressly written herein.
Every minimum numerical limitation given throughout this disclosure
is deemed to include each and every higher numerical limitation as
an alternative, as if such higher numerical limitations were
expressly written herein. Every numerical range given throughout
this disclosure is deemed to include each and every narrower
numerical range that falls within such broader numerical range, as
if such narrower numerical ranges were all expressly written
herein.
[0025] The preceding is a simplified summary of the disclosure to
provide an understanding of some aspects of the disclosure. This
summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the
disclosure and its various aspects, embodiments, and
configurations. It is intended neither to identify key or critical
elements of the disclosure nor to delineate the scope of the
disclosure but to present selected concepts of the disclosure in a
simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description
presented below. As will be appreciated, other aspects,
embodiments, and configurations of the disclosure are possible
utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set
forth above or described in detail below
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] The accompanying drawings are incorporated into and form a
part of the specification to illustrate several examples of the
present disclosure. These drawings, together with the description,
explain the principles of the disclosure. The drawings simply
illustrate preferred and alternative examples of how the disclosure
may be made and used and are not to be construed as limiting the
disclosure to only the illustrated and described examples. Further
features and advantages will become apparent from the following,
more detailed, description of the various aspects, embodiments, and
configurations of the disclosure, as illustrated by the drawings
referenced below.
[0027] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a portion
of a guidewire having a plurality of tines extending therefrom;
[0028] FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of a blood vessel having
plaque therein;
[0029] FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the blood vessel of
FIG. 2A with the guidewire of FIG. 1 traversing and engaging the
plaque;
[0030] FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view of the blood vessel and
plaque of FIG. 2B with a catheter located over the guidewire of
FIG. 1 and separating the plaque from the blood vessel while the
plaque remains engaged with the guidewire;
[0031] FIG. 2D is a cross-sectional view of the blood vessel of
FIG. 2B with the plaque separated from the blood vessel while the
plaque remains engaged with the guidewire;
[0032] FIG. 3 is an elevation view of an embodiment of a portion of
a guidewire having a plurality of barbs;
[0033] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a portion
of a guidewire having a flute included therein;
[0034] FIG. 5A is a perspective view of an embodiment of a portion
of a guidewire comprising an un-deployed braided element; and
[0035] FIG. 5B is a perspective view of an embodiment of a portion
of a guidewire comprising a deployed braided element.
[0036] It should be understood that the drawings are not
necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details that are not
necessary for an understanding of the disclosure or that render
other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It
should be understood, of course, that the disclosure is not
necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated
herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0037] Before any embodiments of the disclosure are explained in
detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited
in its application to the details of construction and the
arrangement of components set forth in the following description or
illustrated in the following drawings. The disclosure is capable of
other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in
various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and
terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and
should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including,"
"comprising," or "having" and variations thereof herein is meant to
encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as
well as additional items.
[0038] With reference to FIG. 1, a portion of an exemplary
guidewire 100 is depicted. The guidewire 100 includes an elongated
member 104 and a plurality of tines 108 protruding radially
therefrom. The guidewire 100, including both the elongated member
104 and tines 108, may be constructed as a solid object.
Alternatively, the elongated member 104 and tines 108 may be formed
separately and combined, such as attaching the tines 108 to the
elongated member 104. The guidewire 100 may preferably be
constructed of a rigid and flexible biocompatible material, such as
stainless steel or biocompatible polymers. Additionally, the
elongated member 104 itself may be a solid object, such as a wire,
or a braided object or wire, or other type of non-elastic
construction. If the tines 108 are constructed separately, then
they may also be constructed of the same or different materials
and/or constructions used form the elongated member.
[0039] As will become evident in the discussion of FIGS. 2A-2D, the
size, length and configuration of the guidewire 100, including the
elongated member 104 and tines 108, may vary. For example, the
tines 108 may protrude from the elongated member 104 in a direction
toward the proximal end of the guidewire 100, in a direction toward
the distal end of the guidewire 100, or in a radial direction that
is directed neither toward either distal end. Those skilled in the
art will appreciate that there are numerous other sizes, lengths
and configurations of the guidewire, and all such sizes, lengths
and configurations within the knowledge of one skilled in the art
are considered within the scope of this disclosure.
[0040] With reference to FIG. 2A through 2D, there is depicted the
guidewire 100 used to remove a substantially solid portion 216 of
plaque from a blood vessel 204 after a catheter 212 has separated
the plaque 208 from the blood vessel 204. Specifically, referring
to FIG. 2A, there is a shown a blood vessel 204 having plaque 208
attached to its interior wall(s). Referring to FIG. 2B, the
guidewire 100 is inserted into the blood vessel 204 in a direction
illustrated by the arrow (.fwdarw.). As and/or after the guidewire
traverses the plaque 208 in the indicated direction (.fwdarw.), the
tines engage the plaque 208, and the plaque 208 attaches to the
guidewire 100. It may be preferable that the size of the guidewire
100 be of such a sufficient size that its diameter, either with or
without the tines, is greater than that of the opening in the
plaque and/or space between the plaque and blood vessel. Using a
guidewire 100 of this size may further facilitate the engagement of
the tines and plaque and may also push the plaque 208 against the
blood vessel 204, thereby increasing the density of the object of
plaque to be removed from the subject.
[0041] Referring to FIG. 2C, a catheter 212 is located over the
guidewire 100. The catheter 212 preferably has a lumen (not shown)
into which the guidewire is inserted. As the catheter 212 travels
toward and/or beyond the plaque 208, the catheter 212 slides over
and travels along the path of the guidewire 100. As discussed
above, the catheter generally has a working tip, such as a sharp
blade to cut the plaque or a laser to ablate the plaque.
Accordingly, as the catheter 212 slides over and travels along the
path of the guidewire 100 and reaches the plaque 208, the working
tip of the catheter separates the plaque from itself and/or the
blood vessel via a coring action. While and upon doing so, a
portion 216 of the plaque remains attached to the guidewire 100 in
the possible shape of a plug. And when the guidewire 100 is removed
from the blood vessel 204 in a direction (.rarw.) illustrated in
FIG. 2D, so is the object (or plug) 216 of plaque. The object 216
of plaque may be removed from the blood vessel 204 along with the
guidewire 100 or prior to or after the guidewire is removed.
[0042] Although the discussion regarding FIGS. 2A-2D included the
use of the guidewire 100 depicted in FIG. 1, those skilled in the
art will appreciate that there are numerous other shapes, sizes and
configurations of guidewires, as well as other types of means, that
may be used to engage plaque and attach it to the guidewire. For
example, referring to FIG. 3, a guidewire 300 may have protrusions
in the shape of barbs 308--rather than tines--that are attached to
or formed integral with the elongated element 304. Additionally,
any type of protrusion extending in a generally radial direction
that is capable of engaging tissue may be used. Conversely, notches
imparted along and within the elongated element that are configured
to allow plaque to adhere and attach to the guidewire may be used
in lieu of protrusions.
[0043] With reference to FIG. 4, there is depicted a further
alternative means for attaching plaque to a guidewire. This figure
illustrates guidewire 400 having a helically shaped flute 408 at
the distal end of an elongated element 404. The elongated shaft may
preferably be of a sufficient size and configuration such that the
diameter of the elongated element 404 and/or the effective inner
diameter of the flute is greater than that of the opening in the
plaque and/or space between the plaque and blood vessel, thereby
facilitating the flute's engagement of the plaque and attachment to
the guidewire similar to the way in which a slowly rotating drill
bit engages the material into which the bit is being inserted.
Although the guidewire 400 depicted in FIG. 4 includes only one
flute 408 having a certain helical shape, those skilled in the art
will appreciate that the guidewire may include a plurality of
flutes and/or the flute(s) may be configured in numerous other
sizes, lengths and configurations, and all possible flute sizes,
lengths and configurations within the knowledge of one skilled in
the art are considered within the scope of this disclosure. For
example, the flute 408 of guidewire 400 is located at the distal
end portion of the guidewire 400. However, it shall be understood
that the flute may be located at a location toward the proximal end
portion of the guidewire and/or encompass a larger length of the
guidewire, including potentially the entire length of the
guidewire.
[0044] With reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B, there is depicted a
further alternative means for attaching plaque to a guidewire.
These figures illustrate a guidewire 500 having a braided (or
mesh-like or coiled-like) element 508 at the distal end of an
elongated element 504. Specifically, FIG. 5A illustrates the
braided element 508 attached to the periphery of the elongated
element 504 at its distal portion in an un-deployed state, and FIG.
5B illustrates the braided element 508 in a deployed state at the
distal end of the elongated element 504. As the braid element 508
is deployed, it expands radially into the plaque, as is generally
known by one of skill in the art, such as described in U.S. Patent
Publication 2001/0000349, which is hereby incorporated by
reference. Once the braided element 508 is attached to the plaque,
the separated plaque may be removed either alone through the lumen
of the separation device and/or in conjunction with the removal of
the separation device from the blood vessel.
[0045] The braided element may have different sizes, shapes and
configuration in either its un-deployed stated or deployed state.
Depending upon the configuration of the braided element,
particularly in its deployed state, the braided element can also
act as a stopper, piston, and/or plunger that can be deployed
proximally or distally of the plaque. Once deployed distally of the
plaque, the braided element may be used pull the separated plaque
proximally within the lumen of the separation device or the blood
vessel. And when deployed proximally of the plaque, the braided
element may be used to push the separated plaque proximally within
the lumen of the separation device or the blood vessel.
Additionally, the braided element may be partially or completed
deployed to and obtain different configurations. Furthermore, the
braided element may be deployed in multiple times within a surgical
procedure. For example, the braided element may be deployed and act
as a plunger, then retract into an un-deployed state, while located
within the blood vessel and/or separation device, and then be
re-deployed at a different position with respect to the plaque and
act as a piston. Then process can then be repeated and/or performed
in reverse order. Such a process may be helpful in dislodging
and/or removing plaque or lesion material that is lodged within the
blood vessel or separation device. For example, this process may be
used to dislodge plaque or lesion material within the catheter
described in copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/800,651,
filed Mar. 13, 2013, and entitled "System And Method Of Ablative
Cutting And Pulsed Vacuum Aspiration", which is incorporated herein
by this reference in its entirety.
[0046] In the appended figures, similar components and/or features
may have the same reference label. Further, various components of
the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label
by a letter that distinguishes among the similar components. If
only the first reference label is used in the specification, the
description is applicable to any one of the similar components
having the same first reference label irrespective of the second
reference label.
[0047] A number of variations and modifications of the disclosure
may be used. It would be possible to provide for some features of
the disclosure without providing others.
[0048] The present disclosure, in various aspects, embodiments,
and/or configurations, includes components, methods, processes,
systems and/or apparatus substantially as depicted and described
herein, including various aspects, embodiments, configurations
embodiments, sub combinations, and/or subsets thereof. For example,
the elongated member and/or tines, barbs, flutes, etc. of the
guidewire (or portions thereof) may include a roughened surface to
further facilitate the elongated member's engagement of the plaque.
Additionally, the roughened surface of the guidewire may be
configured in a way that negates the need for additional attaching
means (e.g., tines, barbs, flutes, notches, braided elements, etc.)
for the guidewire to engage the plaque. Additionally, the elongated
member may include a surface pattern being unroughened and
roughened at various portions along its length. Those of skill in
the art will understand how to make and use the disclosed aspects,
embodiments, and/or configurations after understanding the present
disclosure. The present disclosure, in various aspects,
embodiments, and/or configurations, includes providing devices and
processes in the absence of items not depicted and/or described
herein or in various aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations
hereof, including in the absence of such items as may have been
used in previous devices or processes, e.g., for improving
performance, achieving ease and/or reducing cost of
implementation.
[0049] The foregoing discussion has been presented for purposes of
illustration and description. The foregoing is not intended to
limit the disclosure to the form or forms disclosed herein. In the
foregoing Summary for example, various features of the disclosure
are grouped together in one or more aspects, embodiments, and/or
configurations for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. The
features of the aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations of the
disclosure may be combined in alternate aspects, embodiments,
and/or configurations other than those discussed above. This method
of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention
that the claims require more features than are expressly recited in
each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive
aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing
disclosed aspect, embodiment, and/or configuration. Thus, the
following claims are hereby incorporated into this Summary, with
each claim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodiment
of the disclosure.
[0050] Moreover, though the description has included description of
one or more aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations and certain
variations and modifications, other variations, combinations, and
modifications are within the scope of the disclosure, e.g., as may
be within the skill and knowledge of those in the art, after
understanding the present disclosure. It is intended to obtain
rights which include alternative aspects, embodiments, and/or
configurations to the extent permitted, including alternate,
interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or
steps to those claimed, whether or not such alternate,
interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or
steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly
dedicate any patentable subject matter.
* * * * *