Apparatus for treating vascular occlusions

(54) APPARATUS FOR TREATING VASCULAR OCCLUSIONS

(75) Inventors: Matthew R. Selmon, Atherton, CA

(US); Charles F. Milo, San Mateo, CA
(US); Robert L. Wynne, Pacifica, CA
(US); Suresh S. Pai, Sunnyvale, CA
(US); Kent D. Dell, Redwood City, CA
(US); Charles Gresl, San Francisco,
CA (US); Gerald Hansen, Newark, CA
(US); E. Richard Hill, III, Berkeley,
CA (US)

(73) Assignee: LuMend, Inc., Redwood City, CA (US)

( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 22 days.

(21) Appl. No.: 09/149,874

(22) Filed: Sep. 8, 1998

Related U.S. Application Data

An intravascular catheter system for the treatment of occluded blood vessels that includes tissue displacement or hinged expansion members that are movable from a closed to an open position. An actuating assembly may be, provided for moving the tissue expansion members between an open and closed position to exert a substantially lateral distal end force upon the region surrounding an occluded blood vessel. The tissue expansion members may stretch apart, tear or otherwise disrupt a vascular occlusion sufficiently to create a pathway that may support the passage or placement of a guidewire or an interventional vascular device across the occlusion or obstruction. Methods of crossing or displacing a vascular occlusion are further provided that include the positioning of a vascular catheter having at least one hinged spreading member positioned at the distal region of the catheter that is responsive to directed force along the longitudinal axis of the catheter. A directed force is applied to the actuator in order to deploy the spreading member and displace a vascular occlusion creating a path to permit the passage of a guidewire or device therethrough.

31 Claims, 30 Drawing Sheets