Shockwave valvuloplasty catheter system

• US 10,149,690 B2
• Filed: 07/18/2016
• Issued: 12/11/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Shockwave Medical, Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Shockwave Medical, Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Hawkins, Daniel, Adams, John M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Aleman, Sarah W
• Application Number:
  US15/213,105
• Publication Number:
  US 20160324534A1
• Time in Patent Office: 876 Days
• Field of Search: 606 41, 606170, 606191, 606194
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/22004 using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic shock waves A61B17/225 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/2202 the ultrasound transducer being inside patient's body at the distal end of the catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/22022 using electric discharge
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22025 applying a shock wave A61B2017/22091 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22051 with an inflatable part, e.g. balloon, for positioning, blocking, or immobilisation A61B2017/22048, A61B2017/3486 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22054 with two balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22061 for spreading elements apart
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22062 to be filled with liquid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22068 Centering
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22098 Decalcification of valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/1072 having balloons with two or more compartments
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/1002 characterised by balloon shape A61M25/1006, A61M25/1009 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/056 Transvascular endocardial electrode systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/38 for producing shock effects

Abstract

A valvuloplasty system comprises a balloon adapted to be placed adjacent leaflets of a valve. The balloon is inflatable with a liquid. The system further includes a shock wave generator within the balloon that produces shock waves. The shock waves propagate through the liquid and impinge upon the valve to decalcify and open the valve.

Claims

1. An intravascular valvuloplasty method for breaking calcium deposits on a leaflet of an aortic valve, the leaflet being connected to the wall of the aorta and having inferior and superior concave regions, said method comprising:

advancing a catheter into the region of the aortic valve, said catheter carrying a tubular member formed from a non-compliant material that is fillable with a fluid, said tubular member carrying a shock wave generator having a pair of electrodes within the tubular member, the electrode pair for producing a plurality of high voltage pulses to generate electric arcs that create shock waves that propagate through the liquid and through the tubular member;

advancing the tubular member so that a portion thereof fits within the superior concave region of a leaflet between the leaflet and the wall; and

energizing the shock wave generator to produce a shock wave that propagates through the liquid for impinging upon the valve leaflet in order to break calcium deposits on the leaflet.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the catheter includes a lumen and wherein the tubular member is in fluid communication with the catheter lumen.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the electrode pair is connected to a voltage pulse generator.