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US006852097B1
(12) United States Patent ao) Patent No.: us 6,852,097 Bi
Fulton, III (45) Date of Patent: Feb. 8,2005
(54) MECHANICALLY ACTIVE INFUSION CATHETER
(76) Inventor: Richard E. Fulton, III, 1556
Wellington Ave., Grand Junction, CO
(US) 81501
( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term ol this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
(21) Appl. No.: 09/599,987
(22) Filed: Jun. 23, 2000
Related U.S. Application Data
(60) Provisional application No. 60/140,886, filed on Jun. 24, 1999.
(51) Int. CI.7 A61D 1/02; A61M 29/00;
A61M 5/32
(52) U.S. CI 604/266; 606/159; 606/200
(58) Field of Search 606/191-200,
606/1, 159, 169, 170, 171, 180; 604/22,
266-269
(56) References Cited
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* cited by examiner
Primary Examiner—Larry I. Schwartz
Assistant Examiner—C. Lynne Anderson
(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Sheridan Ross P.C.
(57) ABSTRACT
A device and method to dissolve or eliminate blood clots from a patient relies upon a non-rapid moving mechanism to physically dissolve clots without damaging endothelium ol the arteries and veins ol a patient. In one embodiment, in addition to mechanical agitation ol a clot, a thrombolytic agent is administered simultaneously with such agitation. Prelerably, intermittent agitation is utilized over a prolonged period ol time to effectuate clot removal.
17 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets
