SYSTEM FOR TREATING CHRONIC TOTAL OCCLUSION CAUSED BY LOWER EXTREMITY ARTERIAL DISEASE

摘要

The present invention relates to a catheter system (1010) useful in treating lower extremity arterial chronic total occlusion (CTO). More particularly, the catheter system (1010) includes a first catheter (1014) having a first lumen (1038) extending therethrough, and a second catheter (1012) having a second lumen (1023) extending therethrough. The second catheter (1012) includes an engaging mechanism, such as an inflatable balloon (1020a, 1020b), for engaging at least a portion of the first catheter (1014) such that a guide wire (1018) can be fed from the first lumen (1038) of the first catheter (1014) to the second lumen (1023) of the second catheter (1012). In use, the first catheter (1014) is advanced to a treatment site through a vascular body from a downstream side of the treatment site. The second catheter (1012) is also advanced to the treatment site through the vascular body from an upstream side of the treatment site. The second catheter (1012) is engaged with the first catheter (1014) within the vascular body. The guide wire (1018) is then fed from the first catheter (1014) into the second catheter (1012). Thereafter, the first and second catheters (1014, 1012) are removed from the vascular body, thereby leaving the guide wire (1018) extending through the treatment site. The guide wire (1018) is used to advance a treatment balloon to the treatment site for treating a CTO condition existing therein.