Patent ID: 6676637
Filing Date: 2004-01-13
Classification: A61B,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of removing undesired obstructing matter from a body vessel or cavity having an obstruction, the method comprising the steps of:a. providing a guidewire and an outer assembly, the outer assembly having a proximal end and a distal end and including: (1) a manifold situated at proximal end of the outer assembly, the manifold having a proximal end and a distal end; (2) a first tube, the first tube connected to the manifold at the distal end of the manifold and having an interior annular surface and a distal end; and, (3) an externally located stationary hemostasis nut/stop at the proximal end of the manifold; b. advancing the first tube distally in the body vessel or cavity until the distal end of the first tube is situated proximal to the obstruction of the body vessel or cavity; c. advancing the provided guidewire through the first tube to the obstruction; d. providing an inner assembly comprising a second tube having a proximal end and a distal end, with a jet emanator at the distal end of the second tube, a flow director including an expandable exhaust tube proximal to the jet emanator, and further having a high pressure connection assembly at the proximal end of the second tube; e. advancing the inner assembly to a selected position within the first tube, such that the jet emanator is spaced apart from and extends past the distal end of the first tube, and the proximal end of the flow director remains proximal to the distal end of the first tube; f. providing a high pressure fluid supply to the second tube causing: (1) emanating of at least one jet of fluid from the jet emanator; (2) entraining of undesired obstructing matter from the obstruction by the at least one jet of fluid; (3) macerating of the undesired obstructing matter subsequent entrainment by the at least one jet of fluid; and, (4) transitting of the undesired obstructing matter following entrainment and maceration through the flow director and into the first tube for removal from the body vessel or cavity by the at least one jet of fluid; and, g. providing impingement of at least one jet upon the flow director to create sufficient stagnation pressure to both expand expandable exhaust tube of the flow director against the interior annular surface of the first tube and force evacuation of undesired obstructing matter subsequent entrainment and maceration through the flow director and first tube out of the body vessel or cavity with no requirement for additional suction.