Mark Allon Lorenz

US Patent:

20050209533, Sep 22, 2005

Filed:

Mar 16, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/081146

Inventors:

Mark Lorenz - Peru IN, US

International Classification:

A61M025/00

US Classification:

600585000, 604528000

Abstract:

This invention relates generally to a second wire apparatus and its installation in the PTCA (percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty) process. More specifically, this invention relates to construction of the distal end of the second wire apparatus and a system for guiding it down an earlier installed guide wire to assist in balloon angioplasty in vessels with proximal tortuosity or as a more substantial guide wire for atherectomy devices, stents, lasers or other medical catheter devices. The second guide wire apparatus allows for use of stiffer wire, reduces or eliminates twisting and coiling about the first guide wire, and permits the second guide wire to be fed rapidly down the first guide wire. The second guide wire apparatus can be fed all the way to the distal end of the first guide wire and then released from the first guide wire so that the first guide wire can be removed or advanced to the next stenosis if so desired. The second guide wire apparatus is sufficiently longer than the first guide wire so that the distal ends of the guide wires may be disengaged from each other at the point where the proximal ends of the guide wires are equidistant from entering the body or are disposed adjacent to each other.

US Patent:

20060259063, Nov 16, 2006

Filed:

Apr 25, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/410723

Inventors:

Brian Bates - Bloomington IN, US
David Gorky - Flemington NJ, US
Mark Lorenz - Peru IN, US

International Classification:

A61M 29/00

US Classification:

606198000

Abstract:

Improved wire guide devices having distal anchoring devices and methods of them percutaneously are provided. One device includes a wire guide having a distal portion operatively coupled to a holding body having a self-expanding end portion having wire members capable of assuming a first radially compressed configuration and a second radially expanded resilient configuration. Another device includes a wire guide distal portion operatively coupled to a distal anchoring device having a distal self-expanding suspension portion having a plurality of stabilizers capable of assuming a first radially compressed configuration when constrained by the outer sheath and a second radially expanded resilient configuration when the sheath is withdrawn proximally. An elongate outer sheath with first and second openings defining a lumen therebetween and slideably constrain the self-expanding portions to the compressed configuration. Expanded configurations help keep the wire guide distal portion at a target site within a body lumen.