Patent ID: 6022336
Filing Date: 2000-02-08
Classification: A61B,A61M,B29C

Abstract:
A catheter system for a vascular network, comprising:a hollow guidewire having a proximal end and a distal end;an inflatable balloon mounted on the distal end of the guidewire;an intermediate catheter, wherein at least a portion of said intermediate catheter is positioned over said guidewire such that an inner fluid pathway is formed therebetween and such that the intermediate catheter is slidable to a location proximal to the balloon; anda main catheter sized to receive the intermediate catheter such that an outer fluid pathway is formed therebetween for either irrigation or aspiration, said main catheter having an inflatable balloon mounted on a distal end which cooperates with the balloon on the inner catheter to form a chamber therebetween, and the main catheter having a port which is in fluid communication with the chamber to permit simultaneous irrigation and aspiration within the chamber;wherein the port is sized to allow the passage only of particles between about 20 micrometers and up to about 500 micrometers for the removal of said particles from said chamber; andwherein irrigation is provided at one end of the chamber and aspiration is provided at the other end of the chamber creating a pressure change within the chamber that does not exceed about 50 psi.