Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US8131350?dq=6317900
Timestamp: 2015-01-25 14:37:27
Document Index: 63097463

Matched Legal Cases: ['Application No. 06734083', 'Application No. 06734083', 'Application No. 06734083', 'Application No. 06734083', 'Application No. 07758716', 'Application No. 07799466', 'Application No. 07812146', 'Application No. 07841754', 'Application No. 08746822', 'Application No. 08746822', 'Application No. 2007', 'Application No. 2007', 'Application No. 2009']

Patent US8131350 - Stabilization of visualization catheters - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsSystems for the stabilization of visualization catheters are described herein which facilitate the deployment and retraction of an imaging hood from a catheter. Such systems may include a deployment catheter and an imaging hood having one or more structural elements which may be integrated or advanced...http://www.google.com/patents/US8131350?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US8131350 - Stabilization of visualization cathetersAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS8131350 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 11/961,950Publication dateMar 6, 2012Filing dateDec 20, 2007Priority dateDec 21, 2006Also published asUS20090275842Publication number11961950, 961950, US 8131350 B2, US 8131350B2, US-B2-8131350, US8131350 B2, US8131350B2InventorsVahid A. Saadat, Chris A. Rothe, Ruey-Feng Peh, Edmund TamOriginal AssigneeVoyage Medical, Inc.Export CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (102), Non-Patent Citations (77), Referenced by (1), Classifications (12), Legal Events (3) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetStabilization of visualization cathetersUS 8131350 B2Abstract Systems for the stabilization of visualization catheters are described herein which facilitate the deployment and retraction of an imaging hood from a catheter. Such systems may include a deployment catheter and an imaging hood having one or more structural elements which may be integrated or advanced into the hood independently of the hood itself. Moreover, additional features such as rapid exchange ports may be integrated along the hood or along the catheter proximal to the hood to facilitate intravascular procedures and treatments.
What is claimed is: 1. An apparatus for stabilizing an open area of a visualization catheter, comprising:
a barrier or membrane having an inner layer and an outer layer projecting distally from the deployment catheter such that the inner layer defines the open area therein and the outer layer is positioned adjacent to the inner layer whereby the inner layer and outer layer define an annular channel through the barrier or membrane, wherein the open area is in fluid communication with the at least one lumen and with an environment external to the barrier or membrane;
a collapsible frame having a low-profile configuration and an expanded configuration which is advanceable through the annular channel defined between the inner layer and outer layer of the barrier or membrane such that the frame in its expanded configuration is seated circumferentially along the barrier or membrane; and
a visualization element disposed within or adjacent to the barrier or membrane for visualizing tissue adjacent to the open area.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the collapsible frame comprises a circumferential frame having a low-profile oval configuration.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an anchor member coupled to the frame and passing through the deployment catheter.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the barrier or membrane is collapsible into a low-profile configuration within the catheter.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the barrier or membrane defines a plurality of ligaments therealong.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the ligaments comprises circumferentially oriented ligaments.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the ligaments further comprise axially oriented ligaments.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the barrier or membrane defines an opening therealong through which a rapid exchange element is capable of being inserted.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the catheter defines an opening therealong proximal to the barrier or membrane through which a rapid exchange element is capable of being inserted.
10. A method of stabilizing an open area of a visualization catheter, comprising:
intravascularly deploying a barrier or membrane having an inner layer and an outer layer projecting distally from a deployment catheter to an expanded configuration such that the inner layer defines an open area and the outer layer is positioned adjacent to the inner layer whereby the inner layer and outer layer define an annular channel through the barrier or membrane;
advancing a collapsible frame through the annular channel defined between the inner layer and outer layer from a low-profile configuration to an expanded configuration such that the frame is seated circumferentially along the barrier or membrane;
displacing an opaque fluid with a transparent fluid introduced through the catheter such that the opaque fluid is displaced from the open area defined by the barrier or membrane and an underlying tissue region and into an environment external to the barrier or membrane; and
visualizing the underlying tissue region through the transparent fluid.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein advancing comprises deploying the frame from an oval low-profile configuration to an expanded circumferential configuration.
12. The method of claim 10 further comprising treating the underlying tissue region via a therapy while visualizing the therapy.
13. The method of claim 10 further comprising retracting the collapsible frame into the low-profile configuration.
14. The method of claim 13 further comprising retracting the barrier or membrane into a low-profile configuration.
15. The method of claim 10 wherein the barrier or membrane defines a plurality of ligaments therealong.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein the ligaments comprises circumferentially oriented ligaments.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein the ligaments further comprise axially oriented ligaments.
18. The method of claim 10 wherein the barrier or membrane defines an opening therealong through which a rapid exchange element is capable of being inserted.
19. The method of claim 10 wherein the catheter defines an opening therealong proximal to the barrier or membrane through which a rapid exchange element is capable of being inserted.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Prov. Pat. App. 60/871,415 filed Dec. 21, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to methods and devices used for stabilizing visualization catheters used to visualize and/or treat regions of tissue within a body. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods and apparatus used for structurally stabilizing and/or positioning a hood or barrier or membrane used to intravascularly visualize and/or treat regions of tissue within a body.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Conventional devices for accessing and visualizing interior regions of a body lumen are known. For example, ultrasound devices have been used to produce images from within a body in vivo. Ultrasound has been used both with and without contrast agents, which typically enhance ultrasound-derived images.
Moreover, many of the conventional imaging systems lack the capability to provide therapeutic treatments or are difficult to manipulate in providing effective therapies. For instance, the treatment in a patient's heart for atrial fibrillation is generally made difficult by a number of factors, such as visualization of the target tissue, access to the target tissue, and instrument articulation and management, amongst others.
Conventional catheter techniques and devices, for example such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,895,417; 5,941,845; and 6,129,724, used on the surface of the heart may be difficult in assuring a transmural lesion or complete blockage of electrical signals. In addition, current devices may have difficulty dealing with varying thickness of tissue through which a transmural lesion desired.
Conventional accompanying imaging devices, such as fluoroscopy, are unable to detect perpendicular electrode orientation, catheter movement during the cardiac cycle, and image catheter position throughout lesion formation. Without real-time visualization, it is difficult to reposition devices to another area that requires transmural lesion ablation. The absence of real-time visualization also poses the risk of incorrect placement and ablation of critical structures such as sinus node tissue which can lead to fatal consequences.
Thus, a tissue imaging system which is able to provide real-time in vivo access to and images of tissue regions within body lumens such as the heart through opaque media such as blood and which also provides instruments for therapeutic procedures are desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The tissue-imaging apparatus described relates to variations of a device and/or method to provide real-time images in vivo of tissue regions within a body lumen such as a heart, which is filled with blood flowing dynamically therethrough. Such an apparatus may be utilized for many procedures, e.g., mitral valvuloplasty, left atrial appendage closure, arrhythmia ablation, transeptal access and patent foramen ovale closure among other procedures. Further details of such a visualization catheter and methods of use are shown and described in U.S. Pat. Pub. 2006/0184048 A1, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
The deployment catheter may define a fluid delivery lumen therethrough as well as an imaging lumen within which an optical imaging fiber or electronic imaging assembly may be disposed for imaging tissue. When deployed, the imaging hood may be expanded into any number of shapes, e.g., cylindrical, conical as shown, semi-spherical, etc., provided that an open area or field is defined by the imaging hood. The open area is the area within which the tissue region of interest may be imaged. The imaging hood may also define an atraumatic contact lip or edge for placement or abutment against the tissue region of interest. Moreover, the distal end of the deployment catheter or separate manipulatable catheters may be articulated through various controlling mechanisms such as push-pull wires manually or via computer control
To structurally support the hood in its deployed configuration during a procedure, a number of structural members may be incorporated into the hood. For example, a circumferential frame or scaffold may be advanced and/or retracted along or within the hood to provide structural support when expanded to provide circumferential or hoop strength, especially at the distal circumference of hood where the frame is positioned. The circumferential or hoop strength provided by the support frame may give the hood additional resistance from collapsing inwardly or from closing up at the distal end, particularly when submerged in a body lumen with fluids such as blood, or when submerged in a body lumen having a relatively high fluid flow, such as the atrial or ventricular chambers of the heart and particularly near areas such as the pulmonary vein ostia, the mitral valve, or the tricuspid valve, etc.
Other variations may utilize structural elements or ligaments placed or integrated along the hood. Moreover, features such as rapid exchange ports may be integrated along the hood itself or along the catheter proximal to the hood to facilitate intravascular procedures and treatment of the tissue.
FIGS. 4D and 4E show examples of various visualization imagers which may be utilized within or along the imaging hood.
FIGS. 11A to 11C illustrate perspective views of one variation of a visualization catheter having a collapsible support frame which provides structural support to the hood being retracted into the deployment catheter.
FIGS. 12A and 12B show perspective views of the hood being retracted into the catheter once the circumferential support frame has been retracted.
FIGS. 13A and 13B show partial cross-sectional side views illustrating the collapsed and fully retracted hood within the catheter corresponding to FIGS. 12A and 12B.
FIGS. 14A and 14B show side and perspective views, respectively, of another variation of a hood having circumferentially and axially oriented structural linings or �ligaments� providing circumferential and axial strength to the hood.
FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of another variation of a visualization catheter having a rapid exchange feature integrated along the hood which also incorporates several projections for adhering the hood temporarily to tissue.
FIGS. 16A and 16B show side and perspective views, respectively, of another variation of an optional rapid exchange feature where a guidewire opening may be defined along a portion of the hood.
FIGS. 17A and 17B show side and perspective views, respectively, of another variation having the rapid exchange feature incorporated along the hood through which an ablation probe or other instrument may be positioned.
FIGS. 18A and 18B show side and perspective views, respectively, of yet another variation of an optional rapid exchange feature where a rapid exchange side port is defined along the catheter proximal to the hood for the direct passage of any number of instruments therethrough.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A tissue-imaging and manipulation apparatus described below is able to provide real-time images in vivo of tissue regions within a body lumen such as a heart, which is filled with blood flowing dynamically therethrough and is also able to provide intravascular tools and instruments for performing various procedures upon the imaged tissue regions. Such an apparatus may be utilized for many procedures, e.g., facilitating transeptal access to the left atrium, cannulating the coronary sinus, diagnosis of valve regurgitation/stenosis, valvuloplasty, atrial appendage closure, arrhythmogenic focus ablation, among other procedures. Further examples of tissue visualization catheters which may be utilized are shown and described in further detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/259,498 filed Oct. 25, 2005, which has been incorporated hereinabove by reference in its entirety.
One variation of a tissue access and imaging apparatus is shown in the detail perspective views of FIGS. 1A to 1C. As shown in FIG. 1A, tissue imaging and manipulation assembly 10 may be delivered intravascularly through the patient's body in a low-profile configuration via a delivery catheter or sheath 14. In the case of treating tissue, such as the mitral valve located at the outflow tract of the left atrium of the heart, it is generally desirable to enter or access the left atrium while minimizing trauma to the patient. To non-operatively effect such access, one conventional approach involves puncturing the intra-atrial septum from the right atrial chamber to the left atrial chamber in a procedure commonly called a transeptal procedure or septostomy. For procedures such as percutaneous valve repair and replacement, transeptal access to the left atrial chamber of the heart may allow for larger devices to be introduced into the venous system than can generally be introduced percutaneously into the arterial system.
When the imaging and manipulation assembly 10 is ready to be utilized for imaging tissue, imaging hood 12 may be advanced relative to catheter 14 and deployed from a distal opening of catheter 14, as shown by the arrow. Upon deployment, imaging hood 12 may be unconstrained to expand or open into a deployed imaging configuration, as shown in FIG. 1B. Imaging hood 12 may be fabricated from a variety of pliable or conformable biocompatible material including but not limited to, e.g., polymeric, plastic, or woven materials. One example of a woven material is Kevlar� (E.I. du Pont de Nemours, Wilmington, Del.), which is an aramid and which can be made into thin, e.g., less than 0.001 in., materials which maintain enough integrity for such applications described herein. Moreover, the imaging hood 12 may be fabricated from a translucent or opaque material and in a variety of different colors to optimize or attenuate any reflected lighting from surrounding fluids or structures, i.e., anatomical or mechanical structures or instruments. In either case, imaging hood 12 may be fabricated into a uniform structure or a scaffold-supported structure, in which case a scaffold made of a shape memory alloy, such as Nitinol, or a spring steel, or plastic, etc., may be fabricated and covered with the polymeric, plastic, or woven material. Hence, imaging hood 12 may comprise any of a wide variety of barriers or membrane structures, as may generally be used to localize displacement of blood or the like from a selected volume of a body lumen or heart chamber. In exemplary embodiments, a volume within an inner surface 13 of imaging hood 12 will be significantly less than a volume of the hood 12 between inner surface 13 and outer surface 11.
Although contact edge 22 need not directly contact the underlying tissue, it is at least preferably brought into close proximity to the tissue such that the flow of clear fluid 28 from open area 26 may be maintained to inhibit significant backflow of blood 30 back into open area 26. Contact edge 22 may also be made of a soft elastomeric material such as certain soil grades of silicone or polyurethane, as typically known, to help contact edge 22 conform to an uneven or rough underlying anatomical tissue surface. Once the blood 30 has been displaced from imaging hood 12, an image may then be viewed of the underlying tissue through the clear fluid 30. This image may then be recorded or available for real-time viewing for performing a therapeutic procedure. The positive flow of fluid 28 may be maintained continuously to provide for clear viewing of the underlying tissue. Alternatively, the fluid 28 may be pumped temporarily or sporadically only until a clear view of the tissue is available to be imaged and recorded, at which point the fluid flow 28 may cease and blood 30 may be allowed to seep or flow back into imaging hood 12. This process may be repeated a number of times at the same tissue region or at multiple tissue regions.
In desirably positioning the assembly at various regions within the patient body, a number of articular ion and manipulation controls may be utilized. For example, as shown in the articulatable imaging assembly 40 in FIG. 3A, one or more push-pull wires 42 may be routed through deployment catheter 16 for steering the distal end portion of the device in various directions 46 to desirably position the imaging hood 12 adjacent to a region of tissue to be visualized. Depending upon the positioning and the number of push-pull wires 42 utilized, deployment catheter 16 and imaging hood 12 may be articulated into any number of configurations 44. The push-pull wire or wires 42 may be articulated via their proximal ends from outside the patient body manually utilizing one or more controls. Alternatively, deployment catheter 16 may be articulated by computer control, as further described below.
FIG. 4D shows a partial cross-sectional view of an example where one or more optical fiber bundles 62 may be positioned within the catheter and within imaging hood 12 to provide direct in-line imaging of the open area within hood 12. FIG. 4E shows another example where an imaging element 64 (e.g., CCD or CMOS electronic imager) may be placed along an interior surface of imaging hood 12 to provide imaging of the open area such that the imaging element 64 is off-axis relative to a longitudinal axis of the hood 12. The off-axis position of element 64 may provide for direct visualization and uninhibited access by instruments from the catheter to the underlying tissue during treatment.
FIG. 5 shows an illustrative cross-sectional view of a heart H having tissue regions of interest being viewed via an imaging assembly 10. In this example, delivery catheter assembly 70 may be introduced percutaneously into the patient's vasculature and advanced through the superior vena cava SVC and into the right atrium RA. The delivery catheter or sheath 72 may be articulated through the atrial septum AS and into the left atrium LA for viewing or treating the tissue, e.g., the annulus A, surrounding the mitral valve MV. As shown, deployment catheter 16 and imaging hood 12 may be advanced out of delivery catheter 72 and brought into contact or in proximity to the tissue region of interest. In other examples, delivery catheter assembly 70 may be advanced through the inferior vena cava IVC, if so desired. Moreover, other regions of the heart H, e.g., the right ventricle RV or left ventricle, LV, may also be accessed and imaged or treated by imaging assembly 10.
To facilitate stabilization of the deployment catheter 16 during a procedure, one or more inflatable balloons or anchors 76 may be positioned along the length of catheter 16, as shown in FIG. 6A. For example, when utilizing a transeptal approach across the atrial septum AS into the left atrium LA, the inflatable balloons 76 may be inflated from a low-profile into their expanded configuration to temporarily anchor or stabilize the catheter 16 position relative to the heart H. FIG. 6B shows a first balloon 78 inflated while FIG. 6C also shows a second balloon 80 inflated proximal to the first balloon 78. In such a configuration, the septal wall AS may be wedged or sandwiched between the balloons 78; 80 to temporarily stabilize the catheter 16 and imaging hood 12. A single balloon 78 or both balloons 78, 80 may be used. Other alternatives may utilize expandable mesh members, malecots, or any other temporary expandable structure. After a procedure has been accomplished, the balloon assembly 76 may be deflated or re-configured into a low-profile for removal of the deployment catheter 16.
The helical tissue engaging device 84 may be torqued from its proximal end outside the patient body to temporarily anchor itself into the underlying tissue surface T. Once embedded within the tissue T, the helical tissue engaging device 84 may be pulled proximally relative to deployment catheter 16 while the deployment catheter 16 and imaging hood 12 are pushed distally, as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 7B, to gently force the contact edge or lip 22 of imaging hood against the tissue T. The positioning of the tissue engaging device 84 may be locked temporarily relative to the deployment catheter 16 to ensure secure positioning of the imaging hood 12 during a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure within the imaging hood 12. After a procedure, tissue engaging device 84 may be disengaged from the tissue by torquing its proximal end in the opposite direction to remove the anchor from the tissue T and the deployment catheter 16 may be repositioned to another region of tissue where the anchoring process may be repeated or removed from the patient body. The tissue engaging device 84 may also be constructed from other known tissue engaging devices such as vacuum-assisted engagement or grasper-assisted engagement tools, among others.
To further structurally support the hood 12 in its deployed configuration, a number of structural members may be incorporated into the hood 12. An example is illustrated in the perspective views of FIGS. 11A to 11C, which show a circumferential scaffold or frame 170 that may be advanced and/or retracted along or within hood 12 to provide structural support when hood 12 is expanded to support the hood 12 and provide circumferential or hoop strength, especially at the distal circumference of hood 12 where frame 170 is positioned. The circumferential or hoop strength provided by the support frame 170 may give hood 12 additional resistance from collapsing inwardly or from closing up at the distal end, particularly when submerged in a body lumen with fluids such as blood, or when submerged in a body lumen having a relatively high fluid flow, such as the atrial or ventricular chambers of the heart and particularly near areas such as the pulmonary vein ostia, the mitral valve, or the tricuspid valve, etc.
The support frame 170 can be made from shape memory alloy wire, such as Nitinol, that is pre-shaped into a circular structure, e.g., a ring, which is connected to a single strut or frame support member 172 extending perpendicularly to the ring. FIG. 11A shows hood 12 having circumferential frame 170 positioned around the contact lip or edge of the hood 12 with frame support member 172 connected to frame 170 and extending proximally along or within hood 12 and through catheter 16. Hood 12 may define an annular channel 174 between an inner and outer layer of material (such as C-flex, chronoprene, etc.) which is connected along the circumference of hood 12 and frame 170 may be advanced and/or retracted through this annular channel 174.
With hood 12 expanded and frame 170 positioned within annular channel 174, frame support member 172 may be tensioned or drawn proximally, as indicated in FIG. 11B, such that frame 170 is pulled proximally through annular channel 174. As the frame may be made from a shape memory alloy, frame 170 is able to bend and conform itself into catheter 16, as shown in FIG. 11C, such that frame 170 is narrowed into an oval shape when retracted, as indicated by the direction of collapse 176. To deploy hood 12 and frame 170, the steps may be repeated in reverse such that hood 12 is deployed with frame 170 advanced through channel 174 into position within hood 12.
FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate partial cross-sectional perspective views of hood 12 collapsed and fully retracted within catheter 16 once frame 170 has been completely withdrawn from hood 12. FIGS. 13A and 13B show partial cross-sectional side views of hood 12 withdrawn within catheter 16 with frame 170 retracted corresponding to FIGS. 12A and 12B.
Further details of the visualization catheter and methods of use are shown and described in U.S. Pat. Pub. 2006/0184048 A1, which has been incorporated herein above.
In yet other variations for providing structural strength to the hood in its expanded configuration, FIGS. 14A and 14B show side and perspective views, respectively, of another variation utilizing an inflatable or expandable hood 12 having circumferentially 180 and/or axially 182 oriented structural linings or �ligaments� providing circumferential and axial strength to the hood 12, respectively. Visualization element 184 (e.g., CMOS imager, CCD imager, optical fiber, etc.) may be optionally positioned within or along an interior of hood 12.
Circumferentially aligned ligaments 180 near or along the distal area of hood 12 can be extended at least partially or fully circumferentially. The circumferential ligaments 180 may enable high pressure gas and/or fluid to be injected into or within the lining of hood 12 to reinforce the circumferential or hoop strength near or at the distal wall of hood 12 as the pressurized gas or fluid forms circumferentially arranged channels that act as �ring struts� similarly to circumferential frame 170 described above. These ligaments 180 may increase the hood's resistance to prevent circumferential collapse or from closing at the distal end. Similarly, axial ligaments 182 extended along the axis of hood 12 may also improve the strength of hood 12 along the axis. Increase in the hood's threshold for axial loads may be particularly useful when high push or pull forces are imparted upon hood 12 to engage a target tissue perpendicularly.
To facilitate use of the devices for any of the procedures described herein, hood 12 may also be integrated with one or more angled projections 190 extending distally from hood 12, as shown in FIG. 15. Once hood 12 is contacted against a tissue region, projections 190 may be engaged into the tissue by rotating catheter shaft 16 to temporarily secure the hood 12 against the tissue surface. Disengagement may be accomplished by simply rotating catheter shaft 16 in the opposite direction. Catheter shaft 16 may also additionally incorporate a guidewire exchange lumen 192 defined along catheter 16 proximally of hood 12. Lumen 192 may allow for the rapid exchange of devices, including the catheter 16 and hood 12, during an interventional procedure when utilized with guidewire 17.
FIGS. 16A and 16B further demonstrate another variation of the visualization catheter with a rapid exchange feature 200 located along hood 12 being used with a guidewire 17 in the side and perspective views, respectively. The presence of rapid exchange on the visualization catheter may also eliminate the need for lengthy guidewires to be used when the catheter is first advanced into the patient via the inferior vena cava at the thigh area. The rapid exchange feature 200 on the hood 12 can also be used with a variety of other catheter based tools including, but not limited to, graspers, fiberscopes, intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), temperature sensors, PFO occlusion devices, etc.
FIGS. 17A and 17B illustrate side and perspective views, respectively, of a variation where an ablation probe 202 may be inserted through the rapid exchange feature 200 along hood 12. With the ablation probe inserted into the hood 12 via rapid exchange, articulation of the distal end of the catheter, i.e., the hood 12, can be carried out with less resistance because the flexibility of the catheter is not compromised (i.e. remains the same) when there are a fewer number of tools (or an absence of tools) loaded through the work channel. Moreover, articulation of the ablation probe may also be improved when inserted via rapid exchange because the ablation probe need not conform to the pathway of the catheter when inserted through the side port of the hood, subsequently eliminating additional resistance to articulate the distal end. Furthermore, additional tools can be inserted into the hood when all the work channels of the visualization catheter are occupied or used.
In addition to a guidewire rapid exchange feature, FIGS. 18A and 18B show side and perspective views, respectively, of yet another variation of the visualization catheter where the rapid exchange side port 204 can be defined along catheter 16 proximal to hood 12, as above, but for the direct passage of an instrument, such as an ablation probe 202, rather than a guidewire 17. Such rapid exchange features, either for the exchange of guidewires or instruments themselves, may be utilized with any number of procedures. Particularly in the case of intravascular puncture, access, ablation, and/or other treatments, etc. where the utilization of rapid exchange may be useful in facilitating such procedures.
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