US 11,918,753 B2
Flexible catheter
Craig Moquin, Fanwood, NJ (US); Andrew Filachek, Beechwood, NJ (US); Paige Reinhardt, Highlands, NJ (US); Matthew Koehler, Toms River, NJ (US); Darren De Medici, Middletown, NJ (US); and Janet Burpee, Fair Haven, NJ (US)
Assigned to TRACTUS VASCULAR, LLC, Eatontown, NJ (US)
Filed by TRACTUS VASCULAR, LLC, Eatontown, NJ (US)
Filed on Oct. 15, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/653,373.
Application 16/653,373 is a continuation of application No. 15/515,806, granted, now 10,525,231, previously published as PCT/US2016/068646, filed on Dec. 27, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/274,203, filed on Jan. 1, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2020/0078551 A1, Mar. 12, 2020
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61M 25/01 (2006.01); A61B 17/22 (2006.01); A61L 29/02 (2006.01); A61L 29/04 (2006.01); A61L 29/06 (2006.01); A61L 29/08 (2006.01); A61M 25/00 (2006.01); B23K 26/38 (2014.01); F16C 1/00 (2006.01); F16C 1/02 (2006.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01); B23K 101/06 (2006.01); B23K 103/00 (2006.01)
CPC A61M 25/0013 (2013.01) [A61B 17/22 (2013.01); A61L 29/02 (2013.01); A61L 29/041 (2013.01); A61L 29/049 (2013.01); A61L 29/06 (2013.01); A61L 29/085 (2013.01); A61M 25/0045 (2013.01); A61M 25/0054 (2013.01); A61M 25/01 (2013.01); A61M 25/0141 (2013.01); B23K 26/38 (2013.01); F16C 1/00 (2013.01); F16C 1/02 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00309 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00526 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00853 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00867 (2013.01); A61B 2017/22038 (2013.01); A61B 2017/22094 (2013.01); A61L 2420/08 (2013.01); A61M 2025/0047 (2013.01); A61M 25/0051 (2013.01); A61M 2205/0222 (2013.01); A61M 2205/0238 (2013.01); A61M 2205/0266 (2013.01); B23K 2101/06 (2018.08); B23K 2103/42 (2018.08); F16C 2208/36 (2013.01); F16C 2223/30 (2013.01); F16C 2240/60 (2013.01); F16C 2316/10 (2013.01)] 8 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A process for resolving total or partial body lumen blockages, said process comprising:
(a) inserting a catheter into a body lumen having a blockage,
said catheter comprising an elongated tube having an exterior and an interior, an internal lumen, a distal end and a proximal end, and a laser cut section between said distal and proximal ends comprising substantially 90% to 99% of the length of said catheter, which is able to transmit rotary and axial motion from said proximal end to said distal end; wherein
(i) said laser cut section comprises a continuous, uniform helical cut pattern having a constant cut angle forming rows of interlocking teeth with a constant pitch between adjacent rows of interlocking teeth, said helical cut pattern making from 4 to 12 repetitions around said catheter;
(ii) said proximal end of the tube having a solid, uncut section;
(iii) said distal end of the tube having a solid, uncut section;
(iv) said tube interior has a polymer layer thereon and such interior polymer layer forms said internal lumen; and
(v) said tube exterior has a polymer coating;
whereby said catheter is able to flex without substantial separation of said polymer coating from the exterior; then
(b) transmitting an axial push force from said distal end to said proximal end to cross the blockage and to advance said catheter beyond the blockage.