METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CENTERING A MICROCATHETER WITHIN A VASCULATURE

摘要

The invention is directed to methods and apparatus for centering a microcatheter within a vasculature. In one aspect, the methods and apparatus can be used to support centering and to facilitate a guidewire to cross through a chronic total occlusion. In one embodiment, the catheter apparatus includes: a microcatheter having a lumen, a distal opening and a distal end; one or more guidewires for passing through the lumen of the microcatheter; an inner shaft having a lumen, a distal opening and a distal end for passing the inner shaft over the microcatheter; an outer shaft having a lumen, a distal opening and a distal end for passing the outer shaft over the inner shaft; and a self-expandable scaffold structure disposed towards the distal end of the inner shaft. The self-expandable scaffold structure is preferably non-occluding thereby allowing blood to flow through the scaffold. Preferably, the inner shaft and microcatheter are capable of being independently operable.

主权项

1. A catheter apparatus comprising:
a hollow shaft with a distal end and a proximal end, and a non-occluding self-expandable scaffold having a central longitudinal axis, the self-expandable scaffold being disposed at the distal end of the catheter, wherein a portion of the distal end of the catheter is disposed at least in part inside the self-expandable scaffold, wherein the distal end is slidable along the shaft, and wherein the scaffold is configured to be coupled to the distal end of the catheter, wherein at least a portion of the distal end of the catheter is disposed substantially along the central axis of the self-expandable scaffold structure.