ULTRASOUND CATHETER AND METHODS FOR MAKING AND USING SAME
First Claim
1. 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 in a location adjacent to the occlusion;
transmitting a first type of ultrasound energy to an ultrasound transmission member of the ultrasound catheter to disrupt the occlusion; and
transmitting a second type of ultrasound energy to the ultrasound transmission member to further disrupt the occlusion.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
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, in some embodiments, a guidewire tube extending through the lumen. A distal head for disrupting occlusions is coupled with the distal end of the ultrasound transmission member and is positioned adjacent the distal end of the catheter body. Some embodiments include improved features such as a bend in the catheter body for enhancing positioning and/or advancement of the catheter.
121 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for disrupting an occlusion in a blood vessel, the method comprising:
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positioning an ultrasound catheter in the blood vessel such that a distal end of the catheter is in a location adjacent to the occlusion; transmitting a first type of ultrasound energy to an ultrasound transmission member of the ultrasound catheter to disrupt the occlusion; and transmitting a second type of ultrasound energy to the ultrasound transmission member to further disrupt the occlusion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for disrupting an occlusion in a blood vessel, the method comprising:
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positioning an ultrasound catheter in the blood vessel, wherein the ultrasound catheter comprises an ultrasound transmission member, a distal end, and a pre-formed bend; using the pre-formed bend to advance the distal end of the ultrasound catheter into a location that is adjacent to the occlusion; and transmitting ultrasound energy through the ultrasound transmission member to disrupt the occlusion. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A method for disrupting an occlusion in a blood vessel, the method comprising:
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positioning an ultrasound catheter in the blood vessel, wherein the ultrasound catheter comprises a distal end, a pre-formed bend, and an ultrasound transmission member having a bend; using the pre-formed bend of the ultrasound catheter to advance the distal end of the ultrasound catheter into a location that is adjacent to the occlusion; transmitting ultrasound energy through the ultrasound transmission member to disrupt the occlusion; and maintaining the ultrasound transmission member at a desired temperature with an infused fluid. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification