Ultrasound catheter apparatus
First Claim
1. An ultrasound catheter comprising:
- a catheter body having at least one lumen;
an ultrasound transmission member extending longitudinally through the catheter body lumen;
a sonic connector coupled with a proximal end of the ultrasound transmission member, the sonic connector comprising a distal portion; and
an absorber member coupled with the ultrasound transmission member, wherein the absorber member comprises a vibrational absorber and a constraining member, the vibrational absorber being laterally interposed between the constraining member and the ultrasound transmission member, and the vibrational absorber being longitudinally interposed along a longitudinal axis of the ultrasound transmission member between the constraining member and the distal portion of the sonic connector, and a portion of the constraining member positioned to surround an exterior of the distal portion of the sonic connector.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Ultrasound catheter devices and methods of the present invention generally provide for ablation and/or disruption of vascular occlusions. An ultrasound transmission member, such as a wire, transmits vibrational energy from an ultrasound transducer to a distal head of the catheter to disrupt vascular occlusions. An absorber member is disposed on or around the ultrasound transmission wire at a location adjacent the sonic connector of the catheter. The absorber member absorbs heat, vibrations, and/or the like from the ultrasound transmission wire at or near the area where the transmission wire is coupled with the sonic connector. The absorptive function typically slows the process of wear and tear on the transmission wire, thus extending the useful life of the ultrasound catheter.
370 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An ultrasound catheter comprising:
- a catheter body having at least one lumen;
an ultrasound transmission member extending longitudinally through the catheter body lumen;
a sonic connector coupled with a proximal end of the ultrasound transmission member, the sonic connector comprising a distal portion; and
an absorber member coupled with the ultrasound transmission member, wherein the absorber member comprises a vibrational absorber and a constraining member, the vibrational absorber being laterally interposed between the constraining member and the ultrasound transmission member, and the vibrational absorber being longitudinally interposed along a longitudinal axis of the ultrasound transmission member between the constraining member and the distal portion of the sonic connector, and a portion of the constraining member positioned to surround an exterior of the distal portion of the sonic connector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
- a catheter body having at least one lumen;
Specification