ECCENTRIC BALLOON LASER CATHETER

• US 20100152717A1
• Filed: 12/17/2008
• Published: 06/17/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Spectranetics Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Spectranetics Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Keeler, Jacob
• Granted Patent: US 8,702,773 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/7
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/20 using laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/24 with a catheter A61B18/26, A61B18/28 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/1002 characterised by balloon shape A61M25/1006, A61M25/1009 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/104 used for angioplasty

Abstract

Various embodiments of an eccentric balloon catheter are disclosed. In some embodiments, an eccentric balloon catheter includes an eccentrically positioned guidewire tube, with an interior lumen, that extends at least a portion of the length of the catheter body. Optical fibers may extend the length of the catheter body and may also be eccentrically positioned within the catheter body. An inflatable balloon may be positioned within a window within the catheter body near the distal end of the catheter. When inflated, the balloon and catheter may slide relative to one another. When used within a vessel, an inflated balloon may press against a vessel wall and bias the catheter toward an opposite vessel wall.

Claims

1. A laser catheter comprising:

a catheter body including a central axis, a distal end, a proximal end, and a cavity disposed proximate to the distal end;

an inner tube including an port at the distal end of the catheter body, the inner tube positioned eccentric relative to the central axis of the catheter body;

a light guide disposed within the catheter body and extending from the proximal end to the distal end; and

a balloon disposed within the cavity and slidably coupled with the catheter body allowing the catheter body to move relative to the balloon and allowing the balloon to move relative to the catheter body.

2. The laser catheter according to claim 1, further comprising straightening stylet coupled with the catheter body proximate to the cavity.

3. The laser catheter according to claim 1, wherein the balloon surrounds at least a portion of the inner tube.

4. The laser catheter according to claim 1, wherein the balloon includes an inner lumen and at least a portion of the inner lumen surrounds at least a portion of the inner tube.

5. The laser catheter according to claim 1, further comprising a balloon tube disposed within the catheter body, coupled with the balloon, and configured to provide air to the balloon.

6. The laser catheter according to claim 1, wherein the cavity is disposed within the periphery of the catheter body.

7. The laser catheter according to claim 1, wherein the cavity is disposed proximate the inner tube, such that the inner tube is at least partially exposed by the cavity.

8. The laser catheter according to claim 1, wherein the light guide comprises at least one optical fiber.

9. The laser catheter according to claim 1, wherein inner tube extends from the proximal end toward the distal end of the catheter body.

10. The laser catheter according to claim 1, further comprising a laser coupled with the proximal end of the light guide.

11. A laser catheter comprising:

a catheter body including a central axis, a distal end, a proximal end, and a window disposed on the periphery of the catheter body proximate to the distal end;

a guidewire tube having an inner lumen located eccentrically within the catheter body and including an aperture at the distal end of the catheter body,

a light guide tube having an inner lumen located eccentrically within the catheter body, the light guide tube including an aperture at the distal end of the catheter body, the light guide tube extending from the proximal end of catheter body to the distal end of the catheter body;

at least one fiber optic disposed within the inner lumen of the light guide tube and extending the length of the light guide tube; and

an inflatable balloon disposed within the window of the catheter body.

12. The laser catheter according to claim 11, further comprising a balloon inflation lumen coupled with the balloon and extending at least through a portion of the catheter body.

13. The laser catheter according to claim 11, wherein the balloon is slidably coupled with the catheter body.

14. The laser catheter according to claim 11, wherein the balloon is slidably coupled with the guidewire tube.

15. The laser catheter according to claim 11, wherein the guidewire tube is extends through the window and is exposed thereby.

16. The laser catheter according to claim 11, further comprising an elongated member disposed within the elongate member proximate with the window.

17. The laser catheter according to claim 11, wherein when the balloon is substantially deflated the balloon fits substantially within the window.

18. The laser catheter according to claim 11, wherein when the balloon is substantially inflated the balloon extends beyond the limits of the window.

19. The laser catheter according to claim 11, wherein when the balloon is substantially inflated the balloon extends through the window beyond the radius of a portion of the catheter body.

20. The laser catheter according to claim 11, wherein when the balloon is substantially deflated the balloon is disposed within the radius of the catheter body.

21. A method for using an eccentric balloon catheter, the method comprising:

inserting an eccentric balloon catheter into a vessel, wherein the eccentric balloon catheter comprises a catheter body including a distal end, a light guide, and a balloon eccentrically coupled with the catheter;

positioning the eccentric balloon catheter near a target within the vessel; and

inflating the eccentric balloon by inserting a biocompatible solution into the balloon causing at least a portion of the inflated balloon to press against an inner wall of the vessel and axially moving the distal end of the catheter within the vessel.

22. The method according to claim 21, further comprising advancing the catheter body relative to the inflated balloon.

23. The method according to claim 21, further comprising inserting a straightening stylet into the catheter body.

24. The method according to claim 21, further comprising inserting a guidewire within a guidewire tube within the eccentric balloon catheter.

25. The method according to claim 21, further comprising activating the laser and ablating at least a portion of the target.

26. The method according to claim 21, further comprising:

deflating the eccentric balloon;

axially rotating the catheter; and

inflating the eccentric balloon.

27. A laser catheter comprising:

a catheter body including a central axis, a distal end, a proximal end, and a cavity disposed proximate to the distal end;

an inner tube including an aperture at the distal end of the catheter body, the inner tube positioned eccentric relative to the central axis of the catheter body;

a light guide disposed within the catheter body and extending from the proximal end to the distal end;

a balloon disposed within the cavity and slidably coupled with the catheter body allowing the catheter body to move relative to the balloon and allowing the balloon to move relative to the catheter body;

and a laser coupled with the light guide.