Patent ID: 8920402
Filing Date: 2014-12-30
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A flexible catheter system for clearing an accumulation of occlusive material from a vessel, duct or lumen in a living being, said flexible catheter system comprising: a rotary helical aspiration pump, wherein said rotary helical aspiration pump comprises a helical wire, a core having a proximal end, and a catheter jacket, and a cap affixed to a distal end of the catheter jacket, wherein said catheter jacket surrounds said helical wire, wherein said helical wire is wrapped around said core in a helical arrangement and affixed to the core only at the proximal end, wherein the cap forms an enclosure with a closed distal end that seals the aspiration pump from the outside environment except for at least one aspiration port in a side wall of the cap, the aspiration port being sized based on a desired suction velocity and an amount of material desired to enter into the cap as the helical wire rotates within the catheter jacket, wherein the helical wire is configured to create suction through the aspiration port when the helical wire is rotated inside the cap, and wherein a proximal portion of the helical wire is coupled to and driven by a helical source of rotary power to flex independently of said core and catheter jacket.