Shock wave valvuloplasty device with moveable shock wave generator

• US 10,478,202 B2
• Filed: 10/10/2017
• Issued: 11/19/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Shockwave Medical, Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Shockwave Medical, Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Adams, John M., Goff, Thomas G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Vi X
• Application Number:
  US15/729,238
• Publication Number:
  US 20180028208A1
• Time in Patent Office: 770 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/22012 in direct contact with, or very close to, the obstruction or concrement for removing obstructions in blood vessels by laser A61B18/245
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/22022 using electric discharge
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22024 with a part reflecting mechanical vibrations, e.g. for focusing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22025 applying a shock wave A61B2017/22091 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22062 to be filled with liquid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22098 Decalcification of valves

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 that propagate through the liquid for impinging upon the valve. The shock wave generator is moveable within the balloon to vary shock wave impingement on the valve.

Claims

1. A device for softening and/or breaking tissue calcifications comprising:

an elongate tube;

a chamber located at the distal end of the elongate tube, said chamber having a longitudinal axis and being fillable with a liquid; and

a shock wave generator within the chamber, wherein the shock wave generator is arranged to produce a shock wave within the chamber to propagate through the liquid for impinging upon the calcified tissue, and wherein the shock wave generator is carried by an elongate element that is slidably received within the chamber such that the shock wave generator is configured to move from a first location within the chamber to a second location within the chamber that is displaced along the longitudinal axis from the first location.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the shock wave generator includes at least one electrode.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the shock wave generator is further configured to move along an arcuate path within the chamber from the first location to the second location.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein the elongate element is rotatable within the chamber.