Patent ID: 6010449
Filing Date: 2000-01-04
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
An intravascular catheter system for treating a vascular occlusion, comprising:an elongated flexible catheter shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, a plurality of lumina therebetween, a proximal end zone, and a distal end zone;a steering apparatus for steering the distal end zone of the catheter shaft;an imaging member within the catheter shaft for acquiring an image of a vessel interior proximate the distal end of the catheter shaft, wherein the imaging member comprises an elongated flexible imaging shaft, rotatably disposed within a lumen of the catheter shaft and being capable of advancement at least to the distal end zone thereof, having a proximal end, a distal end, a proximal end zone, and a distal end zone, wherein the imaging member further comprises a hollow shaft motor and rotational encoder attached to the imaging shaft in the proximal end zone thereof for imparting rotation to and measuring rotation of the flexible imaging shaft; anda working element disposed in the distal end zone of the catheter shaft for treating the occlusion, wherein the working element is effectively manipulable and directable at a vascular occlusion while the occlusion is imaged.