Appeal No. 2000-0323 Page 10
Application No. 08/608,920
syringe or a vacuum reservoir. The method of treating the
intravascular site comprises the steps
of advancing a catheter assembly through a patient's
vasculature until a distal end of the catheter assembly
reaches an area close to the site, and aspirating occluding
substances in the vicinity of the site through the distal end
of the catheter assembly. The method may also include the
additional steps of introducing medication through the
catheter, and pulverizing the occlusion or any of its residue,
prior to aspirating the occluding substances.
Ruggio teaches (column 7, line 20, to column 8, line 31)
[i]n treating pulmonary embolism, access to the main
pulmonary arteries 88, 90 is generally made through the
right or left femoral vein 80, 82 located in either the
right or the left thigh 92, 94, as shown in FIG. 3. A
Cook needle (not shown) is first used to puncture the
vein 80 or 82. The Cook needle is commercially available
from Cook Incorporated in Bloomington, Ind. In one
embodiment, a conventional J-tipped guidewire (not shown)
is then inserted into the needle into the artery or vein.
The needle is then removed.
Next, a conventional sheath assembly (not shown)
comprising a dilator and a sheath, is advanced over the
J-tipped guidewire and inserted into the vein 80 or 82.
As is known, such conventional sheath assemblies are
generally equipped with a side arm for flushing. Once the
sheath assembly is in place, the J-tipped guidewire and
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