Method and apparatus for emboli containment

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a catheter for use in an emboli containment system. In one embodiment, the catheter includes a flexible elongate member having self-expanding sealing means mounted on its distal extremity. This self-expanding sealing means can take any suitable form, such as a braided structure formed of a suitable shape memory material such as a nickel titanium alloy. In order to prevent abrasion of a vessel, it is desirable to cover the braided structure with a covering of a suitable material such as a polymer which extends over the braided structure and which moves with the braided structure as it expands and contracts.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 10 / 427,000, filed Apr. 30, 2003, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10 / 011,583, filed Nov. 6, 2001, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09 / 790,220, filed on Feb. 21, 2001, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08 / 813,023, filed on Mar. 6, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,270,477, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08 / 650,464 filed on May 20, 1996, now abandoned, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention generally relates to medical devices, and in particular, to catheters which can be used in an emboli containment system. This invention also relates to an apparatus and method for treating occluded vessels in living bodies and more particularly balloon catheters and balloon guide wires for treating occlusions in vessels in human ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015] In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a catheter with variable stiffness, comprising a tubular body having a proximal end and a distal end. A metallic braid or metallic coil is within the tubular body. In one embodiment, the proximal end of the tubular body has a lower braid or coil density than the distal end. In another embodiment, the braid or coil density is kept constant along the length of the tubular body, and the tubular body is formed of materials with greater stiffness at the proximal end. In another embodiment, a combination of braids and coils of varying density can be used at various points along the tubular body, to create a catheter tubular body having a more flexible distal end.

[0030] Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus and method of the above character which makes it possible to treat stenoses or occlusions in the vessel which are normally not accessible for surgical procedures.

Problems solved by technology

The application of such medical procedures to certain blood vessels, however, has been limited, due to the risks associated with creation of emboli during the procedure.

For example, angioplasty is not the currently preferred treatment for lesions in the carotid artery, because of the possibility of dislodging plaque from the lesion, which can enter the various arterial vessels of the brain and cause permanent brain damage.

Instead, surgical procedures are currently used, but these procedures present substantial risks.

However, the procedures require the complex coordination of multiple catheters.

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