Catheter apparatuses having multi-electrode arrays for renal neuromodulation and associated systems and methods
First Claim
1. A catheter apparatus, comprising:
- an elongated, flexible tubular member extending along a longitudinal axis, wherein the elongated tubular member has a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a central lumen therein, and wherein the tubular member comprises—
a deflection region at the distal portion, wherein the deflection region includes a plurality of slots in a wall of the tubular member and substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis; and
an orientation region adjacent to the deflection region and between the deflection region and a distal end of the proximal portion of the elongated tubular member, wherein the orientation region includes a plurality of slots in the wall of the tubular member and substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis;
wherein the tubular member is selectively transformable between—
a first state in which the deflection region is generally straight extending along the longitudinal axis, anda second state in which the deflection region comprises a generally helically-shaped structure and the orientation region has an elbow shape such that the distal end of the proximal portion of the tubular member is aimed through an interior of the helix;
a plurality of energy delivery elements carried by the deflection region and including at least a first energy delivery element and a second energy delivery element, wherein, when the tubular member is in the second state, the first and second energy delivery elements are axially and radially spaced from one another about the longitudinal axis; and
a control member operatively engaged with the tubular member to control movement of the flexible tubular member,wherein the control member comprises a wire disposed in the central lumen, and wherein the wire has a first end portion coupled to the distal portion of the tubular member such that increasing a tension in the wire controls selectively transforms the deflection region of the tubular member between the first state and the second state.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Catheter apparatuses, systems, and methods for achieving renal neuromodulation by intravascular access are disclosed herein. One aspect of the present technology, for example, is directed to a treatment device having a multi-electrode array configured to be delivered to a renal blood vessel. The array is selectively transformable between a delivery or low-profile state (e.g., a generally straight shape) and a deployed state (e.g., a radially expanded, generally helical shape). The multi-electrode array is sized and shaped so that the electrodes or energy delivery elements contact an interior wall of the renal blood vessel when the array is in the deployed (e.g., helical) state. The electrodes or energy delivery elements are configured for direct and/or indirect application of thermal and/or electrical energy to heat or otherwise electrically modulate neural fibers that contribute to renal function or of vascular structures that feed or perfuse the neural fibers.
502 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A catheter apparatus, comprising:
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an elongated, flexible tubular member extending along a longitudinal axis, wherein the elongated tubular member has a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a central lumen therein, and wherein the tubular member comprises— a deflection region at the distal portion, wherein the deflection region includes a plurality of slots in a wall of the tubular member and substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis; and an orientation region adjacent to the deflection region and between the deflection region and a distal end of the proximal portion of the elongated tubular member, wherein the orientation region includes a plurality of slots in the wall of the tubular member and substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis; wherein the tubular member is selectively transformable between— a first state in which the deflection region is generally straight extending along the longitudinal axis, and a second state in which the deflection region comprises a generally helically-shaped structure and the orientation region has an elbow shape such that the distal end of the proximal portion of the tubular member is aimed through an interior of the helix; a plurality of energy delivery elements carried by the deflection region and including at least a first energy delivery element and a second energy delivery element, wherein, when the tubular member is in the second state, the first and second energy delivery elements are axially and radially spaced from one another about the longitudinal axis; and a control member operatively engaged with the tubular member to control movement of the flexible tubular member, wherein the control member comprises a wire disposed in the central lumen, and wherein the wire has a first end portion coupled to the distal portion of the tubular member such that increasing a tension in the wire controls selectively transforms the deflection region of the tubular member between the first state and the second state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification