Appeal No. 2000-0323 Page 13
Application No. 08/608,920
22 comprises an elongated, flexible tube 26 attached to a
connector 28 (see Figures 1, 4 and 5). As shown in Figure 4,
the elongated flexible tube portion 26 of catheter 22 is
positioned close to an occlusion 120 in the pulmonary vessel
122 once the position of the occlusion 120 is determined. A
thrombolytic agent is then administered to the occlusion 120,
as depicted by arrows
124 through the tube 26 of catheter 22 via one of the
T-connectors 36, 38 or 40 of the manifold 14 (see Figure 1).
If the thrombolytic agent acts sufficiently to break the
occlusion 120 into small enough pieces, the residue 126 of the
occlusion 120 is aspirated immediately by means of a syringe
18 or a vacuum reservoir, as depicted by the arrows 140 shown
in Figure 5. Aspiration of the residue 126 is accomplished by
first placing the tip of the elongated tube 26 of catheter 22
close to the residue 126 of the occlusion 120 under
fluoroscopic guidance. Next, the plunger 52 of the syringe 18
is drawn backwards (see Figure 1), which creates a pressure
difference to draw the residue 126 of the occlusion 120 into
the syringe 18. When the occlusion 120 or its residue 126 has
been removed, the tube 26 of catheter 22 may be advanced under
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Last modified: November 3, 2007