Ultrasound catheter devices and methods

• US 20070038158A1
• Filed: 07/25/2006
• Published: 02/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Flowcardia Inc. (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Original Assignee: Flowcardia Inc. (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: Nita, Henry, Spano, Richard, Nguyen, Simon, Sarge, Jeff
• Granted Patent: US 8,062,566 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 601/2
• 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 2017/00292 mounted on or guided by flexible, e.g. catheter-like, means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0046 with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable for prosthetic joint-implanting tools A61F2/4603
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22014 the ultrasound transducer being outside patient's body; with an ultrasound transmission member; with a wave guide; with a vibrated guide wire not applied in A61B17/22012
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22015 with details of the transmission member
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22039 eccentric
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22065 Functions of balloons dilating A61M29/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320084 Irrigation sleeves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320088 with acoustic insulation, e.g. elements for damping vibrations between horn and surrounding sheath
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 29/019 Method or apparatus with grinding

Abstract

Ultrasound catheter devices and methods provide enhanced disruption of blood vessel obstructions. Generally, ultrasound catheters include an elongate flexible catheter body with one or more lumens, an ultrasound transmission member extending longitudinally through the catheter body lumen and a distal head coupled with the transmission member and positioned adjacent the distal end of the catheter body for disrupting occlusions. Improved features of ultrasound catheters include prevention of independent rotation of the ultrasound transmission member, a safety anchor for the distal head, a one-piece transmission member/distal head and the like.

Claims

1-47. -47. (canceled)

48. A method of manufacturing an ultrasound transmission member for use in an ultrasound catheter device, the method comprising:

providing a generally cylindrically-shaped transmission member material;

shaping the material to taper the transmission member from a first, wider end toward a second, narrower end; and

forming a distal head at the second, narrower end.

49. A method as in claim 48, wherein providing the material comprises providing a polymer having superelastic properties.

50. A method as in claim 48, wherein shaping the material comprises grinding the material.

51. A method as in claim 48, wherein forming the distal head comprises forming a bullet-shaped head.

52. A method as in claim 48, wherein forming the distal head comprises forming at least one longitudinal aperture through the head to provide for passage of at least one of a guidewire and irrigation fluid.

53. A method for disrupting an occlusion in a blood vessel, the method comprising:

positioning an ultrasound catheter in the blood vessel such that a distal end of the catheter is adjacent the occlusion;

transmitting ultrasound energy to an ultrasound transmission member of the ultrasound catheter to disrupt the occlusion into multiple occlusion fragments;

expanding an expandable balloon coupled with the ultrasound catheter at a location proximal to the distal end of the catheter; and

removing at least some of the occlusion fragments from the blood vessel via the ultrasound catheter.

54. A method as in claim 53, wherein positioning the ultrasound catheter comprises guiding the catheter using a guidewire.

55. A method as in claim 53, wherein the occlusion fragments are removed through at least one aperture in a catheter body of the ultrasound catheter.

56. A method as in claim 55, wherein the at least one aperture is in fluid communication with at least one irrigation lumen and the occlusion fragments are removed through the at least one aperture and the at least one irrigation lumen.

57. A method as in claim 55, wherein the at least one aperture is in fluid communication with at least one guidewire lumen and the occlusion fragments are removed through the at least one aperture and the at least one guidewire lumen.

58. A method as in claim 53, wherein the occlusion fragments are removed through a sheath disposed around a portion of the ultrasound catheter.

59. A method as in claim 53, wherein removing the occlusion fragments comprises applying a vacuum force to guide the fragments into at least one aperture on the ultrasound catheter.

60. A method as in claim 59, wherein applying the vacuum comprises using at least one of a syringe and a vacuum pump.

61. A method for disrupting an occlusion in a blood vessel, the method comprising:

introducing an ultrasound catheter into the blood vessel through a guide catheter;

positioning the ultrasound catheter such that a distal end of the catheter is adjacent the occlusion;

transmitting ultrasound energy to an ultrasound transmission member of the ultrasound catheter to disrupt the occlusion into multiple occlusion fragments;

expanding an expandable balloon coupled with the guide catheter at a location proximal to the distal end of the catheter; and

removing at least some of the occlusion fragments from the blood vessel via the ultrasound catheter.

62. A method as in claim 61, wherein introducing and positioning the ultrasound catheter further comprise guiding the catheter using a guidewire.

63. A method for disrupting an occlusion in a blood vessel, the method comprising:

positioning an ultrasound catheter in the blood vessel such that a distal end of the catheter is adjacent the occlusion;

transmitting ultrasound energy to an ultrasound transmission member of the ultrasound catheter to disrupt the occlusion into multiple occlusion fragments; and

introducing at least one radiopaque fluid into the blood vessel through at least one aperture in the ultrasound catheter adjacent the distal end to enhance visualization of a location of the distal end.

64. A method as in claim 63, wherein introducing the radiopaque fluid comprises introducing through at least one irrigation aperture in the ultrasound catheter.

65. A method as in claim 63, wherein introducing the radiopaque fluid comprises introducing through at least one guidewire aperture in the ultrasound catheter.

66. A method as in claim 63, wherein introducing the radiopaque fluid comprises introducing through a sheath surrounding a portion of the ultrasound catheter and forming the at least one aperture.