EXPANDABLE LEAD JACKET
Methods, devices and systems for separating an implanted object, such as a lead attached to a cardiac conduction device, from formed tissue within a blood vessel are provided. The methods, devices and systems for separating a lead from the tissue relate to dilating the tissue surrounding the lead from underneath the tissue and/or between the lead and the tissue.
1 - 11 . (canceled)
12 . A method of performing a surgical procedure, the method comprising:
radially expanding an expandable member located within a portion of a lead, wherein the lead is at least partially surrounded by tissue within a blood vessel, wherein the expandable member is initially in an unexpanded state;
contracting the expandable member and creating a void between the expandable member and the tissue; and
removing the lead from the tissue.
13 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the expandable member is an inflatable bladder.
14 - 20 . (canceled)
21 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the lead comprises:
a wire; and
a jacket surrounding at least a portion of the wire;
wherein the expandable member is located between the wire and the jacket.
22 . The method of claim 21 , wherein radially expanding the expandable member comprises radially expanding the jacket 360 degrees from the longitudinal axis.
23 . The method of claim 21 , wherein contracting the expandable member and creating the void between the expandable member and the tissue comprises creating the void between the jacket and the tissue.
24 . The method of claim 21 , wherein radially expanding the expandable member comprises applying forces radially outwardly to the jacket and radially inwardly to the wire via the expandable member.
25 . The method of claim 11 , wherein radially expanding the expandable member comprises delivering a fluid to the expandable member.
26 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the lead comprises:
a wire; and
a jacket surrounding at least a portion of the wire;
wherein the inflatable bladder is located between the wire and the jacket.
27 . The method of claim 26 , wherein radially expanding the inflatable bladder comprises radially expanding the jacket 360 degrees from the longitudinal axis.
28 . The method of claim 26 , wherein contracting the inflatable bladder and creating the void between the inflatable bladder and the tissue comprises creating the void between the jacket and the tissue.
29 . The method of claim 26 , wherein radially expanding the inflatable bladder comprises applying forces radially outwardly to the jacket and radially inwardly to the wire via the inflatable bladder.
30 . The method of claim 11 , wherein removing the lead from the tissue comprises applying a traction force to the lead.
31 . The method of claim 11 , wherein removing the lead from the tissue comprises sliding the lead through the void.
32 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the blood vessel is a curved portion of the vasculature.