Patent ID: 6428552
Filing Date: 2002-08-06
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
An apparatus for crossing occlusions in a body lumen, comprising:an outer catheter shaft with at least one axial lumen therethrough, wherein the outer catheter shaft comprises a distal end having an outer diameter; an inner catheter shaft having an average diameter slidably disposed in the at least one axial lumen of the outer catheter shaft, wherein the inner catheter shaft comprises, at least one axial lumen therethrough; and an atraumatic, tapered protuberance comprising a distal end and a proximal end, wherein a diameter of the atraumatic, tapered protuberance tapers upward from the average diameter at the distal end to a greatest diameter at the proximal end; a guidewire slidably disposed in the at least one axial lumen of the inner catheter shaft, wherein the guidewire is advanced through the body lumen into the occlusion; and wherein the outer catheter shaft can be advanced distally to closely approach the proximal end of the atraumatic, tapered protuberance such that the outer catheter shaft and the inner catheter shaft present a relatively smooth tapering surface to the occlusion such that the outer catheter shaft may enter the occlusion.