Guide wire system for RF recanalization of vascular blockages
First Claim
1. A centering catheter for positioning a conductive guide wire in a blood vessel, comprising:
- an elongate catheter body having a distal end and an operative lumen, the lumen having a distal end opening, such that a guide wire disposed in the lumen may be advanced beyond the distal end opening; and
a centering mechanism operable to secure the distal end of the catheter body within a blood vessel, such that a distal guide wire tip positioned in the lumen proximate the distal end opening is substantially centered within the blood vessel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for recanalizing an occluded blood vessel including a centering catheter employed to center an ablative guide wire within the blood vessel as the guide wire traverses the occlusion. The centering catheter includes a catheter body with an operative lumen through which the ablative guide wire is slidingly disposed. The centering catheter further includes a distally disposed centering mechanism that, when activated, centers the ablative guide wire within the blood vessel as it traverses the occlusion. The centering mechanism can comprise various embodiments including a single inflatable balloon or segmented inflatable balloon, which is in fluid communication with an inflation lumen. An airless preparation lumen may be disposed within the inflation lumen for ease of centering catheter preparation. The ablative guide wire includes insulation that is preferably formed of heat shrink tubing, which is stretched prior or concurrently with the heating process. The ablative guide wire includes a distal ablation tip having a non-traumatic structure and at least one discontinuous feature for creating high current densities for more efficient tissue ablation.
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Citations
41 Claims
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1. A centering catheter for positioning a conductive guide wire in a blood vessel, comprising:
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an elongate catheter body having a distal end and an operative lumen, the lumen having a distal end opening, such that a guide wire disposed in the lumen may be advanced beyond the distal end opening; and
a centering mechanism operable to secure the distal end of the catheter body within a blood vessel, such that a distal guide wire tip positioned in the lumen proximate the distal end opening is substantially centered within the blood vessel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for recanalization of a blood vessel, comprising:
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positioning a conductive guide wire having a distal end ablation tip into a blood vessel, such that the ablation tip is adjacent an occlusion to be traversed;
centering the guide wire ablation tip within the blood vessel;
conveying radio frequency (RF) RF energy through the guide wire to the distal ablation tip; and
advancing the energized ablation tip through the occlusion. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An invasive catheter, comprising:
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an elongate catheter body having proximal and distal ends;
an inflatable body mounted to the catheter body proximate the distal end, the inflatable body defining an interior region;
a first lumen extending through the catheter body, the first lumen having a distal opening in communication with the interior region; and
a second lumen disposed within the first lumen, the second lumen having a distal opening in communication with the interior region. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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24. A method of preparing a balloon catheter comprising an elongate catheter body, a distally mounted inflatable body having an interior region, and first and second lumens extending through the elongate catheter body and saving proximal openings, the method comprising:
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conveying a medium under pressure into the proximal opening of and through one of the first and second lumens;
conveying the pressurized medium through the interior region of the inflatable body; and
conveying the pressurized medium through the other of the first and second lumens and out of the proximal end thereof. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A method for manufacturing an insulated, conductive guide wire for use in intravascular medical procedures, comprising:
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placing an insulation tubing over at least a portion of an electrically conductive wire;
stretching the tubing to reduce its thickness to a desired level; and
heating the stretched tubing to thereby adhere the tubing wire. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34)
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35. An ablative guide wire assembly for use in intravascular medical procedures, comprising:
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an elongate conductive guide wire having a distal end; and
an ablation tip formed on the guide wire distal end, the ablation tip having a generally non-traumatic structure with a discontinuous feature. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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Specification