SHOCKWAVE VALVULOPLASTY CATHETER SYSTEM

• US 20100114020A1
• Filed: 11/04/2009
• Published: 05/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Shockwave Medical, Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Shockwave Medical, Incorporated
• Inventors: HAWKINS, Daniel, ADAMS, John M.
• Granted Patent: US 9,044,618 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/101.10
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/22022 using electric discharge
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22025 applying a shock wave A61B2017/22091 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22054 with two balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22061 for spreading elements apart
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22062 to be filled with liquid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22068 Centering
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22098 Decalcification of valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/1072 having balloons with two or more compartments
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/1002 characterised by balloon shape A61M25/1006, A61M25/1009 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/056 Transvascular endocardial electrode systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/38 for producing shock effects

Abstract

A valvuloplasty system comprises a balloon adapted to be placed adjacent leaflets of a valve. The balloon is inflatable with a liquid. The system further includes a shock wave generator within the balloon that produces shock waves. The shock waves propagate through the liquid and impinge upon the valve to decalcify and open the valve.

Claims

1. A valvuloplasty system, comprising:

a balloon adapted to be placed adjacent leaflets of a valve, the balloon being inflatable with a liquid; and

a shock wave generator within the balloon that produces shock waves that propagate through the liquid for impinging upon the valve.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the balloon is adapted to be placed on opposite sides of the valve leaflets.

3. The system of claim 2, further comprising an elongated tube and wherein the balloon is at the distal end of the elongated tube.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the balloon includes a first balloon chamber and a second balloon chamber, wherein the first and second balloon chambers are longitudinally spaced from each other.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the elongated tube includes a lumen, and wherein the first and second balloon chambers are in fluid communication with the elongated tube lumen.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the shock wave generator comprises a first shock wave source within the first balloon chamber and a second shock wave source within the second balloon chamber.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the first and second shock wave sources comprise a first electrical arc generator and a second electrical arc generator.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein each of the electrical arc generators comprises at least one electrode adapted for connection to a voltage pulse generator.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein each of the electrical arc generators comprises an electrode pair adapted for connection to a voltage pulse generator.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein each of the electrode pairs comprise a pair of coaxially arranged electrodes.

11. The system of claim 7, further comprising a high voltage catheter including the first and second electrical arc generators and wherein the first and second electrical arc generators are longitudinally spaced from each other for being received within the first and second balloon chambers, respectively.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the balloon is adapted to be placed within the valve annulus.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising an elongated tube and wherein the balloon is at the distal end of the elongated tube.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the elongated tube includes a lumen, and wherein the balloon is in fluid communication with the elongated tube lumen.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the shock wave generator comprises an electrical arc generator.

16. The system of claim 15, further comprising a high voltage catheter including the electrical arc generator and arranged to extend down the balloon elongated tube within the lumen.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the electrical arc generator comprises at least one electrode adapted for connection to a voltage pulse generator.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the electrical arc generator comprises an electrode pair.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the electrode pair comprises a pair of coaxially arranged electrodes.

20. The system of claim 12, wherein the balloon has a reduced diameter portion adapted to be received within the valve annulus.

21. The system of claim 1, wherein the balloon is formed of a compliant material.

22. The system of claim 1, wherein the balloon is formed of a non-compliant material.

23. A valvuloplasty system for treating a valve having leaflets and an annulus, comprising:

a balloon adapted to be placed on opposite sides of the leaflets of the valve, the balloon being inflatable with a liquid; and

a shock wave generator within the balloon that produces shock waves that propagate through the liquid for impinging upon the valve leaflets and the valve annulus.

24. The system of claim 23, further comprising an elongated tube and wherein the balloon is at the distal end of the elongated tube.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the balloon includes a first balloon chamber and a second balloon chamber, wherein the first and second balloon chambers are longitudinally spaced from each other.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the elongated tube includes a lumen, and wherein the first and second balloon chambers are in fluid communication with the elongated tube lumen.

27. The system of claim 25, wherein the shock wave generator comprises a first shock wave source within the first balloon chamber and a second shock wave source within the second balloon chamber.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the first and second shock wave sources comprise a first electrical arc generator and a second electrical arc generator.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein each of the electrical arc generators comprises at least one electrode adapted for connection to a voltage pulse generator.

30. The system of claim 28, wherein each of the electrical arc generators comprises an electrode pair adapted for connection to a voltage pulse generator.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein each of the electrode pairs comprise a pair of coaxially arranged electrodes.

32. The system of claim 28, further comprising a high voltage catheter including the first and second electrical arc generators and wherein the first and second electrical arc generators are longitudinally spaced from each other for being received within the first and second balloon chambers, respectively.

33. A valvuloplasty system for treating a valve having leaflets and an annulus, comprising:

a balloon adapted to be placed within the valve annulus adjacent the leaflets of the valve, the balloon being inflatable with a liquid; and

a shock wave generator within the balloon that produces shock waves that propagate through the liquid for impinging upon the valve leaflets and the valve annulus.

34. The system of claim 33, further comprising an elongated tube and wherein the balloon is at the distal end of the elongated tube.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein the elongated tube includes a lumen, and wherein the balloon is in fluid communication with the elongated tube lumen.

36. The system of claim 35, wherein the shock wave generator comprises an electrical arc generator.

37. The system of claim 36, further comprising a high voltage catheter including the electrical arc generator and arranged to extend down the balloon elongated tube within the lumen.

38. The system of claim 36, wherein the electrical arc generator comprises at least one electrode adapted for connection to a voltage pulse generator.

39. The system of claim 36, wherein the electrical arc generator comprises an electrode pair.

40. The system of claim 39, wherein the electrode pair comprises a pair of coaxially arranged electrodes.

41. The system of claim 33, wherein the balloon has a reduced diameter portion adapted to be received within the valve annulus.

42. A catheter system, comprising:

an elongated carrier;

a balloon carried by the elongated carrier, the balloon being arranged to receive a fluid therein that inflates the balloon; and

at least one arc generator including at least one pair of coaxially arranged electrodes within the balloon that forms a mechanical shock wave within the balloon.

43. The system of claim 42, further including a cable comprising a center conductor and an outer conductive shield insulated from the inner conductor, wherein a first one of the coaxially arranged electrodes is at least in part formed by the center conductor of the cable, and wherein a second one of the coaxially arranged electrodes is at least in part formed by the outer conductive shield of the cable.

44. A valvuloplasty method for treating a valve having leaflets and an annulus, comprising:

placing a balloon adjacent to the leaflets of the valve;

inflating the balloon with a liquid; and

producing shock waves within the balloon that propagate through the liquid for impinging upon the valve leaflets and the valve annulus.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the placing steps is performed by placing the balloon on opposite sides of the valve leaflets.

46. The method of claim 44, wherein placing step is performed by placing the balloon within the valve annulus.