Patent ID: 6129697
Filing Date: 2000-10-10
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A device for removing thrombus or other tissue from an occluded or obstructed biological or synthetic body vessel or from a body cavity comprising:a. a tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end, having a first passage and a second passage and a third passage extending along the length thereof, each passage with a proximal and distal end;b. a high pressure fluid source sealingly attached to said proximal end of said first passage which drives a flow of high pressure fluid into said proximal end of said first passage;c. said first passage comprising tubular means which carries the flow of high pressure fluid from said proximal end to said distal end, said distal end of said first passage having two or more orifices;d. said second passage comprising tubular means for carrying a flow of fluid and emulsified tissue from said distal end to said proximal end, said distal end of said second passage being open;e. fluid jets emanating from said orifices formed from the flow of of high pressure fluid carried by said first passage;f. said third passage comprising tubular means for providing communication between said proximal and distal ends of said tubular member;g. at least one of the fluid jets emanating from said distal end of said first passage impinges on said open distal end of said second passage (""impinging jets""), thereby providing stagnation pressure to drive the flow of emulsified tissue from said distal end of said second passage towards said proximal end of said second passage;h. at least one of the fluid jets are ""outwardly-facing jets"" directed substantially away from said tubular member rather than being directed to impinge on said open distal end of said second passage of said tubular member; and,i. said proximal end of said second passage provides removal of the emulsified tissue from the body vessel or body cavity.