ULTRASONIC CATHETER WITH AXIAL ENERGY FIELD

• US 20110060253A1
• Filed: 07/06/2010
• Published: 03/10/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/03/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: EKOS Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: EKOS Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: WILSON, RICHARD R.
• Application Number:
  US12/831,151
• Publication Number:
  US 20110060253A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 601/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/2202 the ultrasound transducer being inside patient's body at the distal end of the catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0011 piezoelectric
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22015 with details of the transmission member
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22021 electric leads passing through the catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22024 with a part reflecting mechanical vibrations, e.g. for focusing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22028 arrays, e.g. phased arrays
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22082 after introduction of a substance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22084 stone- or thrombus-dissolving
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/546 involving monitoring or regulation of device temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/022 intracavitary

Abstract

A catheter system for delivering ultrasonic energy to a treatment site within a body lumen comprises a tubular body. The tubular body has a proximal end, a distal end and an energy delivery section positioned between the proximal end and the distal end. The catheter further comprises an inner core configured for insertion into the tubular body. The inner core comprises a first ultrasound radiating member axially separated from a second ultrasound radiating member by an intermediate flexible joint region. The inner core further comprises an electrically conductive portion configured to allow a voltage difference to be applied to at least one of the ultrasound radiating members. The inner core further comprises a high impedance cap positioned proximal to at least one of the ultrasound radiating members.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a tubular body having a proximal end, a distal end opposite the proximal end, and a treatment zone located between the distal end and the proximal end;

a plurality of fluid delivery lumens defined within the tubular body;

an inner core comprising a high impedance member and at least one ultrasound radiating member positioned distal to the high impedance member; and

a plurality of cooling fluid channels defined between at least an inner surface of the tubular body and an outer surface of the inner core, each cooling fluid channel being positioned generally radially between two fluid delivery lumens.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inner core further comprises a low impedance horn positioned distal to the ultrasound radiating member.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inner core further comprises an electrically conductive portion configured to allow a voltage difference to be applied to the ultrasound radiating member.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inner core comprises a plurality of ultrasound radiating members having a rectangular configuration.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inner core comprises a plurality of ultrasound radiating members having a cylindrical configuration.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inner core comprises a plurality of ultrasound radiating members having a cylindrical configuration, at least two of the cylindrical ultrasound radiating members having a different diameter.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inner core comprises a plurality of ultrasound radiating members that are separated by an intermediate flexible joint region.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inner core comprises a plurality of ultrasound radiating members that are separated by an intermediate flexible joint region that is electrically insulating.