ULTRASONICALLY VISIBLE SCORING BALLOON

• US 20130060127A1
• Filed: 08/30/2012
• Published: 03/07/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cook Incorporated (Cook Group Incorporated), Cook Medical Incorporated (Cook Group Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Cook Medical Incorporated (Cook Group Incorporated)
• Inventors: Burton, David G., Elgaard, Per
• Granted Patent: US 9,242,076 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/411
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320725 with radially expandable cutting or abrading elements A61B17/32075 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22061 for spreading elements apart
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3925 ultrasonic
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3954 magnetic, e.g. NMR or MRI
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/1079 having radio-opaque markers in the region of the balloon
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/1086 having a special balloon surface topography, e.g. pores, protuberances, spikes or grooves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/10 Balloon catheters A61M25/0125 takes precedence; embolectomy A61B17/22032; retractors A61B17/02; inflatable balloons for placing stents or stent-grafts A61F2/958 ; stomach balloons for treatment of obesity A61F5/0003; oesophagal tubes A61J15/00

Abstract

An angioplasty balloon (40) is provided with a plurality of scoring elements (44) extending along the balloon (40). Within the scoring element (44) there are provided channels or lumens (36) extending therethrough. The channels or lumens (36) provide for Rayleigh scattering of ultrasonic waves directed to the balloon (40), thereby being visible by imaging devices. The channels or lumens (36) provide visibility of the balloon (40) during medical procedures, both when the balloon (40) is in a deflated, wrapped, condition and also when the balloon (40) is inflated. It is not necessary to use contrast media to fill the balloon (40).

Claims

1. A medical angioplasty balloon for endoluminal location within a patient, the balloon including a balloon wall extending in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the balloon and provided with one or more scoring or cutting elements, there being embedded within the one or more scoring or cutting elements an elongate channel or lumen providing a material discontinuity therewithin.

2. A medical balloon according to claim 1, wherein the at least one lumen or channel provides a radiopaque or echogenic element in the balloon.

3. A medical balloon according to claim 1, wherein the at least one channel or lumen is at least partially rounded so as to generate Rayleigh scattering of ultrasonic or magnetic waves.

4. A medical balloon according to claim 3, wherein the at least one channel or lumen is substantially round in axial cross-section.

5. A medical balloon according to claim 1, wherein the at least one channel or lumen is hollow or filled.

6. A medical balloon according to claim 5, wherein the at least one channel or lumen is filled with air, a gas, a gel, polymeric material, metal or metal alloy.

7. A medical balloon according to claim 1, wherein the at least one channel or lumen provides a feature in the balloon wall which has a material of density different from the density of the material forming the balloon wall.

8. A medical balloon according to claim 1, wherein the at least one such scoring element extends in a longitudinal direction of the balloon.

9. A medical balloon according to claim 1, wherein the scoring element is integral with the balloon.

10. A medical balloon according to claim 1, wherein the at least one scoring element is formed of the same material as the balloon.

11. A medical balloon according to claim 9, where in the at least one channel or lumen has a diameter of less than about 100 micrometres.

12. A medical balloon according to claim 11, wherein each channel or lumen has an inner diameter of around 50 micrometers.

13. A method of monitoring a medical angioplasty balloon within a patient, which balloon is provided with a balloon wall extending in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the balloon and provided with one or more scoring or cutting elements, there being embedded within the one or more scoring or cutting elements an elongate channel or lumen providing a material discontinuity therewithin;

the method including the steps of inserting the balloon into the body of a patient, directing ultrasonic or magnetic wave energy to the patient;

detecting the ultrasonic or magnetic wave energy reflected or scattered from said patient by the at least one channel and determining from the detected wave energy the location and/or condition of scoring or cutting elements of the balloon.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the determination step monitors for the shape of said channels in order to determine a shape of the balloon and/or a state of inflation of the balloon.

15. A method according to claim 13, wherein the determination step monitors for the relative position of a plurality of said channels, in order to determine a shape of the balloon and/or a state of inflation of the balloon.