GB2257631A - Artery expander - Google Patents

Abstract

An artery expander, for the use in the clearing of restricted arteries, is inserted into a patient's artery, the head 3 of which is positioned in the centre of the restriction and is then expanded manually by an external handle which at the same time still allows for a continuous blood flow to the heart. The artery expander comprises of an outer cable 1, an inner cable 2 and a manually operated external handle (6, Fig 4) which when in use causes a shortening, widening and expansion of the head 3. This creates a widening of the restricted section, thereby stretching the artery resulting in an unrestricted blood flow when the treatment has been completed. <IMAGE>

Description

ARTERY EXPANDER The Invention relates to Angioplasty operations ('key hole' surgery) where patients are suffering from Artheroma (closing/restriction of the arteries).

It is important during such operations that the blood flow to the heart is not curtailed for more than a number of seconds as this can cause irreparable damage to the heart muscle/s, being served by the artery under treatment, due to oxygen starvation to the heart.

Known techniques used in Angioplasty currently employ the use of a catheter (a thin flexible tube) which has an inflatable/balloon head. The catheter is fed through the artery into the restricted section, it is then inflated by passing fluid under pressure through the catheter to the head which inflates thus causing stretching and a pushing outwards of the restricted part of the artery. This results in the restriction being opened up, allowing for a better blood flow. Whilst the head is inflated in this technique, the blood flow in the artery is curtailed, leading to possible heart muscle damage should the inflatable head be left inflated for more than a number of seconds. Ideally the inflatable head should remain inflated for three or more minutes so as to ensure a greater-success in the treatment but for the reasons explained above it is dangerous to do so.Therefore, this existing treatment is not totally satisfactory.

Accordingly to d first aspect of the Invention there is provided a catheter with all Exparldable Head which can be inserted into the artery and on into the r-estricted section, in the same way as that of the existing treatinent/technique. In this case however, the body of the Expandable Head has slits and holes so that when in its expanded state it still allows blood to flow through the Expanded Head to the heart.

Thus blood carrying oxygen flows continuously avoiding oxygen starvation to the heart, which is currently a danger associated with the existing treatment/ technique.

A second aspect of the Invention is that as a result of there being a continuous blood flow through the Expander Head it can remain in its expanded state for as long as is desirable, so as to avoid a possible reclosing of the artery, thereby achieving the maximum benefit from the treatment for the patient.

A third aspect of the Invention is that there is no necessity for any additional apparatus to be used during treatment. This is currently the case with the existing treatment/technique which depends upon the use of pressurised fluid to expand the inflatable head when in the restricted section of the artery.

A fourth aspect of the Invention is that, unlike the existing treatment where another possible danger exists in that if too much pressure builds up in the inflatable head it could lead to a possible bursting of the instrument. Thereby possibly causing pressurised fluid to be discharged directly into the artery and into the blood stream and on into the heart itself. Whereas with the Invention this aspect does not exist as there 16 no other instrument employed using pressurised fluid. In this case the Invention has an externally operated handle which has been designed so that whilst the treatment is being performed its operator can only effect a safe maximum expansion of the expandable Head to achieve the desired results.

A fifth aspect of the Invention is that, unlike the existing treatment where a further possible danger exists in that if too much pressure is applied to the inflatable head it could expand further than is desired causing the artery itself to split open. The result being blood and fluid escaping from the artery directly into the body's cavities. Thereby causing a possible complete starvation of blood to the heart resulting in permanent damage to the heart and/or fatality. Whereas in the Invention only a safe maximum expansion is possible as has been more fully described in the a0#o#e fourth aspect.

In order that the Invention may be better understood, it will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 shows in perspective a view from the side of the Invention, inside of a patients artery, with the Expandable Head in its unexpanded state positioned directly in front of the restriction to be treated; Figure 2 -.low9i a side view of the Artery Expander's Head of Figure 1 inside of the pat ends artery, pos#tioned directly in the centre of the restriction to be treated. now in its expanded state with blood continuously flowing through the slits and holes, as is shown by a series of arrows;; Figure 3 shows a top view of the Head in its expanded state, inside of the-patients artery, with its slits and holes through which blood flows, as is shown a series of arrows; and Figure 4 shows a plan view of the Artery Expander's handle which is operated externally by a theatre staff member.

The Artery Expander as shown in Figure 1 (in its unexpanded state), has an outer cable (1) with an inner cable (2) passing through it, both of which are made from either nylon, plastic, rubber and/or metal material.

The expandable Head (3) is secured to one end of the outer cable (1), and is of a tubular construction with equally spaced slits (4) along its length and grooves (5) across the remaining surface, also made of a like material. A seal (13) is located in the collar (14) at the base of the Expander Head (3) to ensure that blood does not back flow between the outer cable (1) and the inner cable (2).

The Artery Expander as shown in Figure 2 demonstrates the Head in its expanded state, with blood flowing continuously as is shown by a series of arrows.

The Artery Expander as shown in Figure 3 demonstrates a top view of the Expandable Head (3) in its expanded state. The inner cable of which is secured to the domed tip (7). Continuous blood flow is achieved via the holes (7a) and the slits (4) as is shown by a series of arrows.

The Artery Expander as shown in Figure 4 shows the manually operated handle (6) which is secured to the other end of the outer cable (1).

The Expander-Head (3) is -activated by the operator squeezing the Expander handle trigger (8), which is secured to the other end of the inner cable (2) , - from point 9 to point 10. The Expander handle trigger (8) also has locking arms (11) and pins (lea) so that the Artery Expander Head can be either locked in the neutral position (9) or in the fully expanded position (10). In the body of the handle (6) is located a tensjon/return spring (12) which enables the operator, when squeezing the handle, to progressively and smoothly activate the Expander Head (3). The spring (12) also ensures a smooth return of the Expander Head (3) to its neutral/start position (9).

In use the Artery Expander as shown in Figure 1 is inserted into the patients artery and is fed along the artery until the Expandable Head (3) is positioned in the centre of the restriction. The operator will then gradually squeeze the Artery Expander handle (6) causing the inner cable to shorten within the Head (3) thereby effecting a controlled shortening, widening and expansion of the Head (3) until a maximum possible expansion of the Expander Head has been achieved. The operator, will as desired, either keep the handle squeezed or lock it so that the Expander Head is held in its fully expanded state for the length of time desired to effect the maximum benefit for the patient. After treatment the operator will then release, or unloca the trigger (8) ensuring that the trigger returns to its neutral/start position (9) aided by the tension of the return spring (12), which is located within the handle (6). As a result the inner cable lengthens causing the Expander Head (3) to return to its unexpanded state.

Claims (5)

CLAIXS

1. An Artery Expander comprising a catheter with an Expandable Head which can be inserted into the artery and on into the restricted section. The Expandable Head has precise grooves across its body so as to enable-the expansion of the Head when the inner cable is shortened within the outer cable by activating the external handle. The expandable Head also has slits and holes so that when in its expanded state, it still allows blood to flow through the expanded Head to the heart. Thus blood carrying oxygen flows continuously avoiding oxygen starvation to the heart.

2. An Artery Expander as claimed in claim 1, wherein the Head whilst in its neutral state or in its fully expanded state will allow for continuous blood flow.

3. An Artery Expander as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the Head can be maintained in its expanded state for as long (time) as is desired.

4. An Artery Expander, as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the Expander handle design enables a controlled shortening and widening of the Head leading to its expansion, caused by the shortening of the inner cable inside of the outer cable within the Expander Head.

5. An Artery Expander as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3 and 4 wherein there is no necessity for an additional device/instrument to be used directly with or inconjunction with the Invention during the treatment to the restricted artery.