Patent ID: 7976528
Filing Date: 2011-07-12
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
1. A method for treating occlusive material in a vessel, duct or other hollow organ structure of a living being, comprising: (1) providing a catheter system comprising (a) a catheter with a proximal region, a distal region and a housing therebetween, said housing defining a lumen having an entrance region at said distal region and an exit region at said proximal region, (b) a holding arrangement for holding a guidewire adjacent to the catheter such that the distal region of the catheter may move laterally relative to the guide wire, and (c) an aspiration pump comprising a source of rotary power at said proximal region and a helical wire located in said lumen and extending from said distal region of said catheter to said proximal region and attached to said source of rotary power; (2) inserting said distal region of said catheter system into said vessel, duct or other hollow organ structure of said living being, and advancing said distal region to a site of said occlusion, and (3) energizing said source of rotary power and rotating said helical wire, wherein said rotating (i) pulls occlusive material from said vessel, duct or other hollow organ structure into the said entrance region and into said lumen whereby said occlusive material is extracted in a proximal direction by said rotating helical wire, and (ii) causes at least a portion of the distal region of said catheter to translate a distance relative to said guidewire and in a direction that is lateral to said guidewire, thereby increasing a zone or area of treatment.