Apparatus and method for using an ultrasonic probe to clear a vascular access device
First Claim
1. An ultrasonic medical device for ablating an occlusion in a vascular access device comprising:
- an ultrasonic probe having a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis therebetween;
an ultrasonic energy source that produces an ultrasonic energy; and
a transducer for transferring the ultrasonic energy from the ultrasonic energy source to the ultrasonic probe, the transducer having a first end engaging the ultrasonic energy source and a second end engaging the proximal end of the ultrasonic probe, wherein the ultrasonic energy source produces a transverse ultrasonic vibration along the longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic probe to ablate the occlusion in the vascular access device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for using an ultrasonic probe to remove an occlusion in vascular access devices including fistulas, grafts, catheters and subcutaneous access devices. The ultrasonic probe is inserted into the vascular access device and a section of a longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic probe engages the occlusion. A transducer transmits an ultrasonic energy from an ultrasonic energy source that produces a transverse ultrasonic vibration along the longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic probe. The transverse ultrasonic vibration of the ultrasonic probe provides a plurality of transverse anti-nodes along a portion of the longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic probe that cause a cavitation in a medium in communication with the ultrasonic probe to ablate the occlusion.
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Citations
51 Claims
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1. An ultrasonic medical device for ablating an occlusion in a vascular access device comprising:
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an ultrasonic probe having a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis therebetween;
an ultrasonic energy source that produces an ultrasonic energy; and
a transducer for transferring the ultrasonic energy from the ultrasonic energy source to the ultrasonic probe, the transducer having a first end engaging the ultrasonic energy source and a second end engaging the proximal end of the ultrasonic probe, wherein the ultrasonic energy source produces a transverse ultrasonic vibration along the longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic probe to ablate the occlusion in the vascular access device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An elongated flexible probe for removing an occlusion in a vascular access device comprising:
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a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis therebetween, wherein the elongated flexible probe supports a transverse ultrasonic vibration along a portion of the longitudinal axis of the elongated flexible probe to remove the occlusion. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method of removing an occlusion in a vascular access device comprising:
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inserting an elongated ultrasonic probe into the vascular access device; and
activating an ultrasonic energy source, wherein the ultrasonic energy source provides an ultrasonic energy to produce a transverse ultrasonic vibration in the elongated ultrasonic probe to remove the occlusion in the vascular access device. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A method of ablating an occlusion located in a vascular access device comprising:
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inserting a segment of a longitudinal axis of a flexible ultrasonic probe into the vascular access device;
activating an ultrasonic energy source to produce a transverse ultrasonic vibration along the longitudinal axis of the flexible ultrasonic probe; and
moving the segment of the longitudinal axis of the flexible ultrasonic probe within the vascular access device to ablate the occlusion in the vascular access device. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51)
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Specification