Carl S Cook

US Patent:

6419674, Jul 16, 2002

Filed:

Nov 26, 1997

Appl. No.:

08/978801

Inventors:

Donald J. Bowser - Vandergrift PA
Carl A. Cook - Monroeville PA
Louis B. Goode - Cranberry Township PA
William L. Johnson - Kittanning PA
Barry E. Norlander - Pittsburgh PA
James R. Zewe - Pittsburgh PA

Assignee:

Cook Vascular Incorporated - Leechburg PA

International Classification:

A61B 1739

US Classification:

606 45, 607101, 606 49

Abstract:

A medical device ( ) such as a radio frequency dilator sheath for separating an encapsulated elongated structure ( ) such as an electrical cardiac lead implanted in biological tissue ( ) such as a vessel leading to or from a patients heart. The radio frequency dilator sheath includes inner and outer coaxial dilator sheaths ( and ) with respective beveled distal ends ( and ) for mechanically loosening and separating encapsulating tissue from an implanted electric cardiac lead. The beveled distal end of the inner sheath is truncated to form a transverse face or surface ( ) that is approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the sheath. Electrical conductors ( and ) are positioned about the distal end ( ) and passage ( ) of the inner dilator sheath. When energized, the electrical conductor emits an electrical arc which electrically separates encapsulating biological tissue from the elongated electrical structure implanted therein and placed in the passage of the inner elongated dilator sheath.