Laser lithotripsy device with suction

• US 20020103477A1
• Filed: 03/15/2002
• Published: 08/01/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Scimed Life Systems Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Tremaglio, Anthony, Liu, Clifford, Goodshall, Douglas, Grasso, Michael III
• Granted Patent: US 6,726,681 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/2
• 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 18/1492 having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation A61B18/1477 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/245 for removing obstructions in blood vessels or calculi
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/26 for producing a shock wave, e.g. laser lithotripsy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22038 with a guide wire
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/2216 Braided or helically wound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/2244 Features of optical fibre cables, e.g. claddings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/2272 with reflective or refractive surfaces for deflecting the beam A61B2018/2261, A61B2018/2266 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/306 using optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3614 using optical fibre
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3937 Visible markers

Abstract

A medical device is provided which comprises a suction conduit and an energy-transmitting conduit wherein at least some of the transmitted energy is directed to the distal region of the suction conduit. The device may include an optical apparatus for directing the energy. The device has applications in lithotripsy and tissue-removal in a patient.

Claims

1. A medical device, comprising:

a first conduit having a proximal end connected to a pump which provides suction at a distal region of the first conduit; and

a second conduit having a proximal end connected to a high energy source and which transmits a high energy to a distal end;

wherein the distal end of the second conduit directs at least a portion of the high energy emitted to at least a portion of the distal region of the first conduit.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the high energy is of at least one of the following forms:

heat, electricity, light, sound, radio frequency, mechanical forces or chemical agents.

3. A lithotripsy device, comprising:

a first conduit having a proximal end connected to a pump which provides suction at a distal region of the first conduit; and

a second conduit having a proximal end connected to a laser energy source and which transmits a laser energy to a distal end;

wherein the distal end of the second conduit directs at least a portion of the laser energy emitted to at least a portion of the distal region of the first conduit.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the first conduit comprises at least one opening on its side.

5. The device of claim 3, further comprising a barrier disposed near the distal region of the first conduit.

6. The device of claim 3, wherein the second conduit is inside the first conduit.

7. The device of claim 3, wherein the second conduit comprises endoscopically discernable markings.

8. The device of claim 3, wherein the first conduit or the second conduit or both comprise a non-reflective coating or a low-reflective coating.

9. The device of claim 3, further comprising a channel for illumination and a channel for visualization.

10. The device of claim 3, further comprising a guidewire.

11. The device of claim 3, further comprising a pullwire.

12. The device of claim 3, wherein the second conduit is at least one laser fiber.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the second conduit comprises multiple laser fibers.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the multiple laser fibers intertwine together in a bundle.

15. The device of claim 12, wherein the laser fiber comprises an optical core and the optical core further comprises an enlarged distal end.

16. The device of claim 12, wherein the laser fiber has an angled tip.

17. The device of claim 12, wherein a distal region of the laser fiber comprises an unclad optical core and a reflective coating.

18. The device of claim 12, wherein a distal region of the laser fiber defines at least one side opening to allow emission of laser energy along the laser fiber'"'"'s distal region, in addition to its distal end.

19. The device of claim 12, wherein the laser energy is a holmium laser.

20. A lithotripsy device, comprising:

a first conduit having a proximal end connected to a pump which provides suction at a distal region of the first conduit; and

a second conduit having a proximal end connected to a laser energy source and which transmits a laser energy to a distal end;

an optical apparatus which directs at least a portion of the laser energy emitted from the distal end of the second conduit to at least a portion of the distal region of the first conduit thereby preventing or breaking up unwanted materials clogging at the distal region of the first conduit.

21. The device of claim 20 wherein the optical apparatus is a mirror.

22. The device of claim 20 wherein the optical apparatus is a lens

23. The device of claim 20, further comprising a barrier disposed near the distal region of the first conduit.

24. The device of claim 23, further comprising a housing having a distal end, and wherein the distal end of the second conduit is receded inside the distal end of the housing.

28. The device of claim 27, wherein at least one of the mobile components is a laser fiber.

29. The device of claim 27, wherein the discernable pattern of indicia comprises a non-reflective coating or a low-reflective coating.

25. A lithotripsy method comprising the steps of:

a. providing a first conduit having a proximal end connected to a pump which provides suction at a distal region of the first conduit;

b. providing a second conduit having a proximal end connected to a high energy source and which transmits a high energy to a distal end;

c. inserting both conduits into a body lumen of a patient and positioning the distal region of the first conduit near a calculus in the body lumen;

d. directing at least a portion of the high energy emitted from the distal end of the second conduit to at least a portion of the distal region of the first conduit and a portion of the calculus; and

e. removing the calculus fragmented by the high energy through the first conduit.

26. A tissue-removing method, comprising the steps of:

a. providing a first conduit having a proximal end connected to a pump which provides suction at a distal region of the first conduit;

b. providing a second conduit having a proximal end connected to a high energy source and which transmits a high energy to a distal end;

c. inserting both conduits into a body lumen of a patient and positioning the distal region of the first conduit near a tissue in the body lumen;

d. directing at least a portion of the high energy emitted from the distal end of the second conduit to at least a portion of the distal region of the first conduit and a portion of the tissue; and

e. removing tissue separated from the body by the high energy through the first conduit.

27. A medical device comprising multiple mobile components wherein at least one of said mobile components comprises a distal region bearing a discernable pattern of indicia.

30. A medical device comprising a laser fiber having a distal region bearing a discernable pattern of indicia.

31. The device of claim 30, further comprising another mobile component having a distal region bearing another discernable pattern of indicia.

32. The device of claim 31, wherein said another mobile component is a guidewire.

33. A medical device comprising multiple laser fibers, wherein the multiple laser fibers are associated in a bundle.

34. The device of claim 33, wherein the multiple laser fibers intertwine together in a bundle.