Lipid pool aspiration arrangement for the treatment of vulnerable atherosclerosis plaque

Abstract

The present invention comprises a vulnerable plaque treatment catheter arrangement for the treatment of a lipid pool at a site of vulnerable plaque within an artery. The catheter arrangement includes an elongated, hollow, flexible shaft having a proximal end and a distal end and an elongated, flexible, steerable, lipid-enterable needle arranged within the shaft. The needle has at least one lumen therethrough in communication with a treatment source, to permit the rendering of the lipid pool into an innocuous entity.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A vulnerable plaque treatment catheter arrangement for the treatment of a lipid pool at a site of vulnerable plaque within an artery, said catheter arrangement comprising: 
 an elongated, hollow, flexible shaft having a proximal end and a distal end;    an elongated, flexible, lipid-enterable needle arranged within said shaft, said needle having at least one lumen therethrough in communication with a treatment source, to permit the rendering of said lipid pool into an innocuous entity.    
     
     
         2 . The vulnerable plaque treatment catheter arrangement as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said needle is rotatable within said hollow shaft, to permit said catheter to be steered.  
     
     
         3 . The vulnerable plaque treatment catheter arrangement as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said lumen in said needle is connected to a vacuum source to permit said lipid pool to be suctioned through said needle by said vacuum source.  
     
     
         4 . The vulnerable plaque treatment catheter arrangement as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said lumen in said needle is connected to a pressurized fluid source to permit said lipid pool to be treated by a liquid or gas medicament.  
     
     
         5 . The vulnerable plaque treatment catheter arrangement as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said lumen in said needle is connected to an optical viewing apparatus by an optical fiber to permit said lipid pool to be monitored by an attendant.  
     
     
         6 . The vulnerable plaque treatment catheter arrangement as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said needle has a plurality of lumens therethrough, each in communication with a fluid pressure source and a suction source respectively to permit a lipid pool to be suctioned and medicated thereby  
     
     
         7 . The vulnerable plaque treatment catheter arrangement as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said sheath has a position indicator band arranged adjacent its distal end to permit locating of said needle relative to a lipid pool.  
     
     
         8 . A method of treating a vulnerable plaque in a coronary artery by the use of a vulnerable plaque treatment catheter arrangement comprising the steps of: 
 arranging a movable hollow needle in an elongated flexible catheter sheath;    extending a lumen through said needle, from a distal tip thereof, to a treatment source proximal of said catheter sheath;    pushing said catheter into an artery to be treated, so said distal end of said needle reaches a lipid pool in said artery;    piercing a fibrous cap of said lipid pool by said tip of said needle; and    actuating said treatment source to as to effect treatment of said lipid pool by said catheter arrangement.    
     
     
         9 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , including the step of: 
 providing a vacuum at said treatment source so as to provide a suction at said distal tip of said needle in said lipid pool to draw said lipid therefrom.    
     
     
         10 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , including the step of: 
 providing a fluid pressure at said treatment source so as to provide a fluid to be introduced into said lipid pool in said artery.    
     
     
         11 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , including the step of: 
 arranging an optical fiber through said lumen so as to permit said lipid pool to be monitored visually.    
     
     
         12 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , including the step of: 
 steering said catheter sheath into said artery by articulation of said needle with respect to said sheath.    
     
     
         13 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , including the steps of: 
 suctioning said lipid pool by a vacuum source at said proximal end of said lumen; and    introducing a treatment fluid into said lipid pool from a pressurized treatment fluid source through a second lumen extending through said needle.    
     
     
         14 . The method as recited in  claim 13 , including the step of: 
 viewing said lipid pool through an optical fiber arranged through a third lumen in said needle, said fiber having a proximal end in communication with a viewing monitor.    
     
     
         15 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said fluid introduced into said lipid pool renders said lipid pool inert.  
     
     
         16 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said fluid introduced into said lipid pool renders said lipid pool into a non-thrombogenic semi-solid material.