GB2411359A

GB2411359A - Vascular descaler

Info

Publication number: GB2411359A
Application number: GB0404530A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Hoyle
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-02-28
Filing date: 2004-02-28
Publication date: 2005-08-31
Also published as: WO2005084561A1; GB0404530D0

Abstract

A vascular descaler comprising a pressure pump (1, fig 3), a catheter 12 for insertion into a human or animal vessel 14 and a jet head at the distal end of the catheter 12 enabling pressurised fluid 13 to be discharged at an angle to cleanse the vessels walls and remove debris 15. The jet head may be reusable or disposable. The vessel 14 may be clamped prior to flushing enabling the fluid to flow back out of the insertion hole.

Description

2411 359

VASCULAR DESCALER

The Vascular Descaler consists of two / three main units.

A small hand held pressure pump.

A strong, flexible catheter.

A nozzle/jet head.

The catheter and jet head can also be a single disposable unit.

The vascular Descaler is less invasive than conventional treatments, requiring just two small incisions either side of diseased part of the vessel. Once the vessel has been exposed a clamp is then attached to the vessel at a point beyond the diseased area. This is to restrict the blood flow while the treatment is in progress.

An incision is then made to gain entry to the vessel through which the catheter can be inserted.

Fluid, which is supplied by a conventional "giving set," is fed through the hand held pressure pump and into the catheter.

The amount of fluid and pressure at which it exits the jet head must be variable and determine by the amount and structure of plaque needed to be removed from the vessel.

The design of the exit holes on the jet head means the fluid will exit the jet head at approximately forty five degrees to the catheter. This will have a three fold effect.

1. It helps pull the catheter through the vessel and around bends.

2. The angle of the fluid hitting the artery wall will dislodge the plaque from the diseased vessel.

3. The back-flow from the fluid jets will flush the debris to the point of incision.

TO CLEAR BLOCKED ARTERY; Same as for descaling vessel except the jet head will also have a fluid exit point in front.

Once the procedure has been completed the vessel can be closed and the clamp removed.

All materials used, with the exception of those designed for single use, should be of a material able to stand up to the rigours of sterilization.

The whole procedure should be quick, clean and effective.

It should also be less traumatic for the patient than some of more conventional methods of treating vascular diseases.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIGURE 1 shows a side angle of the pump.

FIGURE 2 shows the front of pump with catheter and re-usable jet head.

FIGURE 3 shows front of pump with single use catheter and jet head.

FIGURE 4 shows jet head and catheter inside a diseased vessel and the action of the fluid jets against the plaque and artery wall.

FIGURE 5 shows the jet head and catheter inside the diseased vessel with a forward facing fluid jet breaking up a blockage within the artery wall.

FIGURE 6 shows the jet head at the end of the procedure and the clamp closing the artery.

As shown in figure l the pump 1 comprises of a fluid inlet valve 2. The pump can be either air or electrically powered 3. The pump also has a flow pressure control 4, a pressure gauge 5 and a threaded outlet valve 6 to which the catheter is attached. The fluid can be seen within the pump chamber 7.

As shown in figure 2 the catheter 9 is strong yet flexible, designed to connect at one end with the pump outlet valve through a female threaded connector 8. A threaded male connector 10 at the other end of the catheter enables the jet head It to be screwed on.

Figure 3 shows a single use, disposable catheter and jet head as one single unit 12.

Figure 4 shows the catheter and jet head inside the vessel 14.

The fluid 13 is being pumped, under pressure, through the catheter, exiting through the jet head and breaking the plaque 15 away from the artery wall.

Figure 5 shows the catheter and jet head inside the vessel.

The jet head has a forward facing fluid jet which is breaking into a blockage within the vessel.

Figure 6 shows the jet head approaching the clamped section of the vessel 16. The catheter and jet head are then pulled back to the point of incision, dragging the residue back with it. If there is still any substances within the artery the process is repeated.

Claims

A Vascular Descaler including a pressure pump and catheter component which can be inserted into a human or animal vessel with the intention of forcing a fluid through to the component head, discharging at an angle, volume and pressure requisite to descale cleanse or unblock vessel.