US 11589880

A concise summary of U.S. Patent No. 11,589,880, including a plain-language overview of its independent claims, is provided below. The patent is the subject of a lawsuit filed by AngioDynamics, Inc. against Endovascular Engineering, Inc., as of April 2026. No records of proceedings before the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) for the 2026 docket were found.

Summary of U.S. Patent No. 11,589,880

Title: System and methods for removing undesirable material within a circulatory system utilizing during a surgical procedure

Assignee: Angiodynamics Inc.

Inventors:

• Lishan Aklog
• Michael J. Glennon

Filing Date: July 1, 2019

Issue Date: February 28, 2023

Abstract:
A method for capturing dislodged vegetative growth during a surgical procedure is provided. The method includes maneuvering, into a circulatory system, a first cannula having a distal end and an opposing proximal end, such that the first cannula is positioned to capture the vegetative growth en bloc. A second cannula is positioned in fluid communication with the first cannula, such that a distal end of the second cannula is situated in spaced relation to the distal end of the first cannula. A suction force is provided through the distal end of the first cannula so as to capture the vegetative growth. Fluid removed by the suction force is reinfused through the distal end of the second cannula. Subsequent to becoming dislodged, the vegetative growth is captured by the first cannula. A method for capturing a vegetative growth during removal of a pacemaker lead is also provided.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims

U.S. Patent No. 11,589,880 contains three independent claims (1, 15, and 20). In plain language, these claims protect:

• Claim 1: A method for capturing undesirable biological material, such as vegetative growth, that becomes dislodged during a surgical procedure within a patient's circulatory system. This is achieved by:

  1. Placing a first tube (cannula) with a funnel-shaped tip into the circulatory system at a strategic location to catch the material.
  2. Positioning a second tube in the circulatory system, with its end at a distance from the first tube's end.
  3. Applying suction through the first tube to capture the dislodged material.
  4. Simultaneously, returning the fluid (like blood) that was suctioned out back into the patient through the second tube.
  5. The captured material is then trapped in a filter outside the body, and the filtered fluid is returned to the patient.

• Claim 15: A method specifically for capturing vegetative growth that may break loose during the removal of a pacemaker lead from the heart. This method involves:

  1. Inserting a suction tube (cannula) with a funnel-shaped tip into the circulatory system, positioning it downstream from the pacemaker lead.
  2. Placing a second, reinfusion tube into the circulatory system.
  3. Applying suction through the first tube while the pacemaker lead is being removed to catch any dislodged growth.
  4. Simultaneously, returning the suctioned fluid to the patient through the second tube.

• Claim 20: Another method for capturing vegetative growth during pacemaker lead removal. This claim specifies:

  1. Placing a suction tube with a funnel-shaped tip into the circulatory system downstream of the pacemaker lead before its removal.
  2. Positioning a second tube to return fluid to the patient.
  3. Applying suction through the first tube to capture any material that dislodges when the pacemaker lead is removed.
  4. Filtering the suctioned fluid outside the body to remove the captured material.
  5. Continuously returning the filtered fluid to the patient through the second tube to maintain fluid levels.