Laser-induced fluid filled balloon catheter
First Claim
1. A catheter comprising:
- a sheath having a guidewire lumen, an inflation lumen, a proximal end and a distal end;
a plurality of optical fibers circumferentially arranged around or adjacent to the guidewire lumen, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of optical fibers comprise a distal end, wherein each distal end of the plurality of optical fibers comprises an emitter to emit laser light, wherein the at least one emitter is configured to emit laser light energy at wavelengths of between about 300 nanometers to about 350 nanometers, at pulse durations between about 100 nanoseconds to about 150 nanoseconds, and at frequencies between about 1 pulse per second to about 250 pulses per second;
a balloon assembly circumferentially arranged around a portion of the sheath and around at least one emitter;
one or more liquid medium ports disposed within the sheath and within the balloon assembly; and
a pressure-wave reflective element disposed adjacent the balloon assembly, wherein the pressure-wave reflective element attenuates the pressure wave passing therethrough upon creation of the pressure wave within the balloon assembly by the reaction between laser light emitted by the emitter and a liquid medium introduced into the balloon assembly via the one or more liquid medium ports.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present disclosure relates generally to the use of medical devices for the treatment of vascular conditions. In particular, the present disclosure provides devices and methods for using laser-induced pressure waves to disrupt vascular blockages. The present disclosure not only provides devices and methods for using laser-induced pressure waves to disrupt vascular blockages, but the present disclosure also provides devices and method for assisting the guidewire in penetrating an occlusion, devices and method for using a sealable valve in the tip of the balloon catheter to reduce the overall size and diameter of the balloon catheter, thereby allowing the balloon catheter to penetrate smaller size blood vessels and devices and method that use stationary light absorbing material in lieu of and/or in combination of using liquid medium that flows into a balloon for a balloon catheter. Given the persistence of coronary artery disease (CAD) and peripheral artery disease (PAD), there remains a need for improved therapeutic methods designed not only to reduce vascular blockages in the short term, but also to prevent future complications such as restenosis.
160 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A catheter comprising:
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a sheath having a guidewire lumen, an inflation lumen, a proximal end and a distal end; a plurality of optical fibers circumferentially arranged around or adjacent to the guidewire lumen, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of optical fibers comprise a distal end, wherein each distal end of the plurality of optical fibers comprises an emitter to emit laser light, wherein the at least one emitter is configured to emit laser light energy at wavelengths of between about 300 nanometers to about 350 nanometers, at pulse durations between about 100 nanoseconds to about 150 nanoseconds, and at frequencies between about 1 pulse per second to about 250 pulses per second; a balloon assembly circumferentially arranged around a portion of the sheath and around at least one emitter; one or more liquid medium ports disposed within the sheath and within the balloon assembly; and a pressure-wave reflective element disposed adjacent the balloon assembly, wherein the pressure-wave reflective element attenuates the pressure wave passing therethrough upon creation of the pressure wave within the balloon assembly by the reaction between laser light emitted by the emitter and a liquid medium introduced into the balloon assembly via the one or more liquid medium ports. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for treating an obstruction within vasculature of a subject, the method comprising:
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positioning a catheter within vasculature of a subject, the catheter comprising; a sheath having a guidewire lumen, an inflation lumen, a proximal end and a distal end; a plurality of optical fibers circumferentially arranged around or adjacent to the guidewire lumen, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of optical fibers comprise a distal end, wherein each distal end of the plurality of optical fibers comprises an emitter to emit laser light, wherein the at least one emitter is configured to emit laser light energy at wavelengths of between about 300 nanometers to about 350 nanometers, at pulse durations between about 100 nanoseconds to about 150 nanoseconds, and at frequencies between about 1 pulse per second to about 250 pulses per second; a balloon assembly circumferentially arranged around a portion of the sheath and around at least one emitter; one or more liquid medium ports disposed within the sheath and within the balloon assembly; and a pressure-wave reflective element disposed adjacent the balloon assembly, positioning the balloon assembly adjacent an obstruction within the vasculature; inflating the balloon assembly by delivering a liquid medium through the inflation lumen and out one or more liquid medium ports into the balloon assembly until a desired inflation pressure is obtained; and activating the at least one emitter within the balloon to emit at least one pulse of light energy from the emitter, whereupon the light energy reacts with the liquid medium and generates one or more pressure waves that propagate through the balloon and disrupt at least a portion of the vascular obstruction, wherein the pressure-wave reflective element attenuates the pressure wave passing through the balloon assembly. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification