Devices and methods for percutaneous endarterectomy

摘要

Devices and methods are provided for percutaneously treating atherosclerotic plaques within blood vessels. Atherosclerotic plaques cause significant morbidity and mortality by narrowing the arteries, which adversely affects blood flow, and by acting as a source for thrombi and emboli thus causing acute organ ischemia. Current treatments include open surgery with its inherent drawbacks, and stenting, which is less invasive but leaves the plaque material in the artery, which promotes restenosis. The present invention combines the advantages of both approaches. In general, the invention provides tools that enable percutaneously dissecting the plaque from the arterial wall and removing it from the body.

主权项

1. A device for percutaneous endarterectomy comprising: a shaft having a lumen and a distal end, a rod disposable in the lumen; one or more expandable fingers having a proximal and distal end with the proximal end of the one or more fingers attached to the distal end of the shaft, and the one or more expandable fingers having an exterior surface adapted to face an artery and an interior surface adapted to face the rod; and one or more spokes connecting the rod to the one or more expandable fingers on the interior surface, wherein the one or more expandable fingers are controllable by the rod through the one or more spokes, wherein the one or more expandable fingers are configured to be adapted to remove an atherosclerotic plaque by peeling the plaque at a subintimal space without performing an incision into the subintimal space and without use of a blade, wherein the one or more spokes are disposed in two or more rows and wherein the two or more rows of the one or more spokes connect the rod to the one or more fingers, and wherein the two or more rows of the one or more spokes are parallel to each other.