US 11,931,055 B2
Hydrodynamic vortex aspiration catheter
Luis Emilio Savastano, Ypsilanti, MI (US); Jeffrey Stephen Plott, Algonac, MI (US); Yang Liu, Ann Arbor, MI (US); Yihao Zheng, Ann Arbor, MI (US); and Albert Jau-Min Shih, Ann Arbor, MI (US)
Assigned to THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, Ann Arbor, MI (US)
Filed by THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, Ann Arbor, MI (US)
Filed on Dec. 2, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/457,286.
Application 17/457,286 is a continuation of application No. 17/027,048, filed on Sep. 21, 2020, granted, now 11,224,458.
Application 17/027,048 is a continuation of application No. PCT/US2019/026737, filed on Apr. 10, 2019.
Application PCT/US2019/026737 is a continuation in part of application No. 16/156,519, filed on Oct. 10, 2018, granted, now 10,960,178, issued on Mar. 30, 2021.
Application 17/027,048 is a continuation in part of application No. 16/156,519, filed on Oct. 10, 2018, granted, now 10,960,178, issued on Mar. 30, 2021.
Application 16/156,519 is a continuation in part of application No. PCT/US2018/026831, filed on Apr. 10, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/483,580, filed on Apr. 10, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2022/0338900 A1, Oct. 27, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61B 17/3207 (2006.01); A61B 17/22 (2006.01); A61M 1/00 (2006.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 17/22 (2013.01) [A61B 17/3207 (2013.01); A61B 17/320725 (2013.01); A61B 17/320758 (2013.01); A61M 1/842 (2021.05); A61B 2017/00685 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00991 (2013.01); A61B 2017/22045 (2013.01); A61B 2017/22079 (2013.01); A61B 2017/320766 (2013.01); A61B 2217/005 (2013.01); A61B 2217/007 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus, comprising:
an aspiration catheter defining a lumen, the aspiration catheter couplable to a vacuum source that is configured to apply a vacuum pressure within the lumen, the aspiration catheter including a distal end disposable within a vessel near a thrombus;
a flexible shaft including an eccentric mass embedded within the flexible shaft at or near the distal end of the flexible shaft, the flexible shaft configured to be disposed within the lumen such that a distal end of the flexible shaft is proximal of the distal end of the aspiration catheter; and
a drive system coupled to the flexible shaft, the drive system configured to rotatably drive the flexible shaft,
the flexible shaft, in response to being rotatably driven by the drive system, configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the flexible shaft and to orbitally move within the aspiration catheter resulting in formation of hydrodynamic vortices that define a steep pressure gradient obliquely oriented in and rotating inside of the aspiration catheter to engage, proximally pull, and fragment the thrombus, the eccentric mass configured to enhance the orbital movement of the flexible shaft.