Abstract: A device for removing a thrombus or other tissue deposit from the cardiovascular system, natural or synthetic tubule or cavity found in the human body of a patient without the need to surgically access the location of the thrombus or other tissue deposit via a cut-down or other surgical procedure. A flexible metal or high pressure plastic tube conveys an extremely high pressure stream of sterile saline or other physiologic solution to at least one jet at the distal end of the catheter. At least one jet is directed at the opening of a large exhaust lumen or other target. The jet(s) is responsible for providing a localized negative pressure which entrains tissue into the jet from break-up of the debris. This jet(s) can also provide stagnation pressure in the exhaust lumen which drives the tissue or thrombotic debris out of the exhaust lumen. Operation of the device with tip pressure greater than 500 psi provides this device with the entrainment and exhaust characteristics which contribute to its effectiveness.

Abstract: A method for removing thrombus or other material from a natural or synthetic body vessel or cavity without the need for direct surgical access. The method includes providing a device supplying high pressure fluid to at least one distal orifice, causing high pressure fluid to emanate from the orifice creating at least one fluid jet, and using the fluid jet to break up material in the vessel. The method further includes directing at least one fluid jet at the opening of an exhaust lumen or target incorporated into the device and using the jet to provide a localized negative pressure which entrains material into the jet for break-up. The method optionally includes using the jet to provide stagnation pressure which drives material along the exhaust lumen. The method optionally includes metering the exhaust to match the fluid input or to be greater or less than the input. A positive displacement pump operating at steady or pulsatile flow provides the high pressure saline to the distal end of the catheter.

Abstract: A device for removing a thrombus or other tissue deposit from the cardiovascular system, or from a natural or synthetic tubule or other cavity found in the human body of a patient without the need to surgically access the location of the thrombus or other tissue deposit via a cut-down or other surgical procedure. A flexible metal or high pressure plastic tube conveys an extremely high pressure stream of sterile saline or other physiologic solution to at least one orifice at the distal end of the catheter. At least one jet is directed at the opening of a large exhaust lumen or other target. The jet is responsible for providing a localized negative pressure which entrains tissue into the jet from break-up of the debris. This jet can also provide stagnation pressure in the exhaust lumen which drives the tissue or thrombotic debris out of the exhaust lumen.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for removing a thrombus deposit from the cardiovascular system of a patient without the need to surgically access the location of the thrombus deposit via a cut-down or other surgical procedure. A catheter is inserted percutaneously into the patient at a convenient location either directly or over a previously positioned guide wire. The distal end of the catheter is advanced under fluoroscopy to the site of the thrombus deposit. A balloon is inflated to stabilize the position of the distal end of the catheter within the center of the vessel lumen. A flexible metal tube conveys an extremely high pressure stream of sterile saline solution to at least one jet at the distal end of the catheter. At least one jet positions the thrombus deposit for emulsification by at least one other jet. By directing the jets toward the orifice of the large evacuation lumen of the catheter, a stagnation pressure is induced which propels the emulsion proximally for disposal.

Abstract: A device for removing a thrombus or other tissue deposit from the cardiovascular system, natural or synthetic tubule or cavity found in the human body of a patient without the need to surgically access the location of the thrombus or other tissue deposit via a cut-down or other surgical procedure. A flexible metal or high pressure plastic tube conveys an extremely high pressure stream of sterile saline or other physiologic solution to at least one jet at the distal end of the catheter. At least one jet is directed at the opening of a large exhaust lumen or other target. The jet(s) is responsible for providing a localized negative pressure which entrains tissue into the jet from break-up of the debris. This jet(s) can also provide stagnation pressure in the exhaust lumen which drives the tissue or thrombotic debris out of the exhaust lumen. Operation of the device with tip pressure greater than 500 psi provides this device with the entrainment and exhaust characteristics which contribute to its effectiveness.

Abstract: A device for removing a thrombus or other tissue deposit from the cardiovascular system, natural or synthetic tubule or cavity found in the human body of a patient without the need to surgically access the location of the thrombus or other tissue deposit via a cut-down or other surgical procedure. A catheter is inserted percutaneously into the patient at a convenient location either directly or over a previously positioned guidewire or inside a guide catheter. The distal end of the catheter is advanced under fluoroscopy to the site of the thrombus or tissue deposit. Alternatively, the catheter may be positioned at the desired location by surgical procedure. An elastic balloon may be inflated to stabilize the position of the distal end of the catheter within the center of the vessel lumen. A dilatation balloon may be inflated perioperatively to dilate the underlying vessel or tubule lesion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing a thrombus or other tissue deposit from the cardiovascular system, natural or synthetic tubule or cavity found in the human body of a patient without the need to surgically access the location of the thrombus or other tissue deposit via a cut-down or other surgical procedure. A catheter is inserted percutaneously into the patient at a convenient location either directly or over a previously positioned guidewire or inside a guide catheter. The distal end of the catheter is advanced under fluoroscopy to the site of the thrombus or tissue deposit. Alternatively, the catheter may be positioned at the desired location by surgical procedure. An elastic balloon may be inflated to stabilize the position of the distal end of the catheter within the center of the vessel lumen. A dilatation balloon may be inflated perioperatively to dilate the underlying vessel or tubule lesion.

Abstract: A device for removing a thrombus or other tissue deposit from the cardiovascular system, natural or synthetic tubule or cavity found in the human body of a patient without the need to surgically access the location of the thrombus or other tissue deposit via a cut-down or other surgical procedure. A flexible metal or high pressure plastic tube conveys an extremely high pressure stream of sterile saline or other physiologic solution to at least one jet at the distal end of the catheter. At least one jet is directed at the opening of a large exhaust lumen or other target. The jet(s) is responsible for providing a localized negative pressure which entrains tissue into the jet from break-up of the debris. This jet(s) can also provide stagnation pressure in the exhaust lumen which drives the tissue or thrombotic debris out of the exhaust lumen. Operation of the device with tip pressure greater than 500 psi provides this device with the entrainment and exhaust characteristics which contribute to its effectiveness.

Abstract: A technique for treatment of plaque deposits on the arterial wall of a patient. The technique employs a high pressure jet of sterile saline solution directed at the plaque deposit. The high pressure jet is located at the distal end of a guide wire or catheter which is advanced through the vascular system to the site of the plaque deposit. Optional removal of the debris is via an evacuation lumen within the catheter. This particular technique directs the high pressure jet of fluid distal to the distal tip of the guide wire or catheter. This permits treatment of arteries, which are totally occluded, because the device need not transit the lesion to be effective. Some applications will use the high pressure jet of fluid to open a sufficient passage within the occlusion to permit further dilatation using a balloon integral to or passed over the device. An ultrasonic transducer array located adjacent the high pressure jet permits the attending physician to monitor the procedure.

Abstract: A device for removing a thrombus or other tissue deposit from the cardiovascular system, or from a natural or synthetic tubule or cavity found in the human body of a patient without the need to surgically access the location of the thrombus or other tissue deposit via a cut-down or other surgical procedure. A flexible metal or high pressure plastic tube conveys an extremely high pressure stream of sterile saline or other physiologic solution to at least one orifice at the distal end of the catheter. At least one jet is directed at the opening of a large exhaust lumen or other target. The jet is responsible for providing a localized negative pressure which entrains tissue into the jet from break-up of the debris. This jet can also provide stagnation pressure in the exhaust lumen which drives the tissue or thrombotic debris out of the exhaust lumen.

Abstract: A device for removing a thrombus or other tissue deposit from the cardiovascular system, natural or synthetic tubule or cavity found in the human body of a patient without the need to surgically access the location of the thrombus or other tissue deposit via a cut-down or other surgical procedure. A flexible metal or high pressure plastic tube conveys an extremely high pressure stream of sterile saline or other physiologic solution to at least one jet at the distal end of the catheter. At least one jet is directed at the opening of a large exhaust lumen or other target. The jet(s) is responsible for providing a localized negative pressure which entrains tissue into the jet from break-up of the debris. This jet(s) can also provide stagnation pressure in the exhaust lumen which drives the tissue or thrombotic debris out of the exhaust lumen. Operation of the device with tip pressure greater than 500 psi provides this device with the entrainment and exhaust characteristics which contribute to its effectiveness.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for removing a thrombus deposit from the cardiovascular system of a patient without the need to surgically access the location of the thrombus deposit via a cut-down or other surgical procedure. A catheter is inserted percutaneously into the patient at a convenient location either directly or over a previously positioned guide wire. The distal end of the catheter is advanced under fluoroscopy to the site of the thrombus deposit. A balloon is inflated to stabilize the position of the distal end of the catheter within the center of the vessel lumen. A flexible metal tube conveys an extremely high pressure stream of sterile saline solution to at least one jet at the distal end of the catheter. At least one jet positions the thrombus deposit for emulsification by at least one other jet. By directing the jets toward the orifice of the large evacuation lumen of the catheter, a stagnation pressure is induced which propels the emulsion proximally for disposal.

Abstract: A technique for ablation and removal of plaque deposits from the arterial, venous, vascular graft or other tissue wall of a patient. Ablation is accomplished by directing a high pressure jet of sterile saline solution at the plaque deposit. The high pressure jet is located at the distal end of a catheter which is advanced through the vascular system to the site of the plaque deposit. Removal of the debris is via an evacuation lumen within the catheter.The arterial wall is protected from damage by the catheter design which directs the high pressure jet towards a portion of the distal end of the catheter which serves as a target. The distal end of the catheter is placed such that the plaque or other deposit to be ablated is positioned between the high pressure jet and the target.An optional ultrasonic transducer array located adjacent the high pressure jet and the evacuation lumen permits the attending physician to monitor the procedure.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for removing a thrombus deposit from the cardiovascular system of a patient without the need to surgically access the location of the thrombus deposit via a cut-down or other surgical procedure. A catheter is inserted percutaneously into the patient at a convenient location either directly or over a previously positioned guide wire. The distal end of the catheter is advanced under fluoroscopy to the site of the thrombus deposit. A balloon is inflated to stabilize the position of the distal end of the catheter within the center of the vessel lumen. A flexible metal tube conveys an extremely high pressure stream of sterile saline solution to at least one jet at the distal end of the catheter. At least one jet positions the thrombus deposit for emulsification by at least one other jet. By directing the jets toward the orifice of the large evacuation lumen of the catheter, a stagnation pressure is induced which propels the emulsion proximally for disposal.