Patent ID: 6348061
Filing Date: 2002-02-19
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
A vessel and lumen expanding attachment for use with an electromechanical driver having an elongated flexible drive shaft including a torque transferring tip, said attachment comprising:a rotatable rod having first and second axial portions, which rod is mateable with said torque transferring tip of said electromechanical driver, said rod including a first threading disposed on the first portion, and a second threading disposed on the second portion, wherein the first and second threadings are oriented in opposition with one another; first and second nuts which are mounted about the threadings of the first and second portions of said rod, respectively; means for constraining said first and second nuts from rotating relative to said rod, such that rotation of said rod causes said first and second nuts to travel toward each other when said rod is rotating in one direction, and away from one another when said rod is rotating in the opposite direction; a plurality of jointed radially expanding and retracting spokes coupled to said first and second nuts, said jointed radially expanding and retracting spokes being expandable and retractable in accordance with the relative axial motion of said first and second nuts; and a radially flexible tubular shroud mounted about said rod, said first and second nuts, and said spokes, which is coupled on the interior surface thereof to said spokes, such that said shroud may be expanded and alternatively retracted radially in accordance with the rotation of said rod.