Prior art — US Patent 11406402

To identify the most relevant prior art for US patent 11406402, we will refer to the "References Cited" section of the patent itself, as provided via Google Patents.

Upon reviewing US Patent 11406402, the following U.S. Patent Documents are listed as prior art:

U.S. Patent Documents Cited in US11406402

US2011/0213344A1
- Full Citation: US2011/0213344 A1 (Sargent et al.)
- Publication Date: September 1, 2011
- Brief Description: This patent application describes systems and methods for delivering therapeutic agents or removing target substances from body lumens, such as blood vessels. It features a catheter with an expandable member (like a balloon or basket) and a port for aspiration. It emphasizes controlled aspiration and infusion, often used in conjunction with occluding blood flow.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
  - Could potentially anticipate claims related to aspiration catheters with vacuum sources and control systems (e.g., Claim 5, Claim 10, Claim 13, Claim 16), particularly those involving the controlled removal of substances from a vessel. The concept of managing flow and pressure at the catheter tip, while not explicitly detailing "preventing forward flow" in the exact manner of US11406402, certainly addresses controlled aspiration within a vessel.
US2012/0179119A1
- Full Citation: US2012/0179119 A1 (Kopans et al.)
- Publication Date: July 12, 2012
- Brief Description: This patent application focuses on medical aspiration devices, particularly for breast biopsy. It describes a biopsy needle with an aspiration lumen and a mechanism to apply vacuum and cut tissue. While the application is different, the core concept involves applying and controlling vacuum for tissue removal.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
  - Less directly relevant to the specific thrombus removal and "no forward flow" aspects of US11406402. However, the general principles of a "vacuum catheter" (specifically "aspiration or vacuum catheter" as defined in US11406402's definitions) for removing objects and the application of vacuum could be considered. Thus, it might broadly anticipate aspects of Claim 1 regarding a vacuum catheter and application of vacuum.
US2013/0204207A1
- Full Citation: US2013/0204207 A1 (Mishra et al.)
- Publication Date: August 8, 2013
- Brief Description: This patent application describes an aspiration system for removing material from a body lumen, such as blood clots from vessels. It includes a catheter with an aspiration lumen, a vacuum source, and a collection chamber. The system may employ a guide catheter and emphasizes efficient aspiration of thrombi.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
  - Highly relevant to the general field of aspiration thrombectomy. Could potentially anticipate claims related to clot removal systems with catheters, vacuum sources, and methods for removing objects from human vessels (e.g., Claim 1, Claim 5, Claim 10, Claim 13, Claim 16, Claim 24, Claim 32). The abstract of US2013/0204207A1 explicitly mentions an "aspiration system for removing material from a body lumen, such as blood clots from blood vessels," directly aligning with the objective of US11406402.
US9039659B2
- Full Citation: US9039659 B2 (Deem et al.)
- Publication Date: May 26, 2015
- Brief Description: This patent describes a system and method for occluding a body lumen, such as a blood vessel, and aspirating fluid and/or material from a region. It often involves a balloon catheter for occlusion and a separate aspiration lumen. The system aims to prevent distal embolization during aspiration.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
  - Relevant to aspiration procedures and preventing distal embolization, which is a concern for US11406402. The use of a catheter for aspiration with some form of flow control or management could potentially anticipate aspects of claims relating to the aspiration system (e.g., Claim 1, Claim 5, Claim 10, Claim 13, Claim 16), especially concerning the controlled removal of material.
US2016/0136423A1
- Full Citation: US2016/0136423 A1 (Lau et al.)
- Publication Date: May 19, 2016
- Brief Description: This patent application describes a system for aspirating thrombus from a blood vessel, including a catheter with a large aspiration lumen and an aspiration pump. It focuses on effective clot removal by providing high aspiration force and improving the ability to capture and remove thrombi without fragmentation.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
  - Highly relevant, as it directly addresses thrombus aspiration and improving efficacy. It could anticipate claims related to clot removal systems with aspiration catheters and vacuum sources (e.g., Claim 1, Claim 5, Claim 10, Claim 13, Claim 16, Claim 24, Claim 32). The emphasis on "high aspiration force" and effective thrombus removal aligns with the goals of US11406402.
US2018/0177579A1
- Full Citation: US2018/0177579 A1 (Deimel et al.)
- Publication Date: June 28, 2018
- Brief Description: This patent application describes an aspiration device for removing obstructions, such as blood clots, from vessels. It includes a catheter with an aspiration lumen and a mechanism to generate pulsatile aspiration. The pulsatile aspiration is intended to help dislodge and break up thrombi for easier removal.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
  - This patent is particularly relevant due to its focus on "pulsatile aspiration." This directly relates to the concept of cyclically changing the vacuum level and flow dynamics in US11406402 to prevent clogging and promote thrombus removal. Therefore, it could strongly anticipate claims related to cyclic vacuum and vent control, and preventing forward flow (e.g., Claim 10, Claim 13, Claim 16). Specifically, the idea of "creating therein a forward flow pressure pulse and, before the forward flow pressure pulse reaches the distal end, reverse flow in the liquid column and thereby substantially prevent the forward flow pressure pulse from reaching the distal end" as described in the definitions of US11406402, seems conceptually related to pulsatile aspiration, although the specific mechanism for preventing forward flow might differ.

Most Relevant Prior Art

Based on the descriptions, US2013/0204207A1 (Mishra et al.) and US2016/0136423A1 (Lau et al.) are highly relevant as they directly address aspiration thrombectomy systems and methods for thrombus removal from blood vessels.

However, US2018/0177579A1 (Deimel et al.) appears to be the most relevant prior art. Its focus on generating "pulsatile aspiration" to dislodge and break up thrombi directly aligns with and potentially anticipates the cyclic vacuum and vent control mechanisms and their intended effects on thrombus removal and flow prevention described in US11406402, particularly in claims like 10, 13, and 16, which detail systems configured to cyclically change vacuum levels and substantially prevent forward flow. The concept of using controlled pressure changes to interact with a thrombus within a catheter lumen is a strong overlap.