SHOCKWAVE CATHETER SYSTEM WITH ENERGY CONTROL
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A balloon catheter for delivering shockwaves to a calcified lesion comprising:
- an elongated carrier;
a flexible balloon mounted on the elongate carrier, said balloon being fillable with a conductive fluid;
a pair of electrodes on the elongated carrier within the balloon; and
a power source coupled to the electrodes for supplying a voltage to the electrodes to generate an arc in the fluid within the balloon and causing current to flow between the electrodes;
wherein the power source includes a current sensor for detecting the current flow between the electrodes, and wherein when the current reaches a predetermined value, the sensor generates a signal that causes the power source to terminate the voltage supply to the electrodes.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system that breaks calcium in a liquid includes a catheter including first and second electrodes arranged to receive there-across a high electrical voltage at an initial low current. The high electrical voltage causes an electrical arc to form across the electrodes creating a gas bubble within the liquid, a high current to flow through the electrodes, and a mechanical shock wave. A power source provides the electrodes with the high electrical voltage at the initial current and terminates the high electrical voltage in response to the high current flow through the electrodes.
65 Citations
13 Claims
-
1. A balloon catheter for delivering shockwaves to a calcified lesion comprising:
-
an elongated carrier; a flexible balloon mounted on the elongate carrier, said balloon being fillable with a conductive fluid; a pair of electrodes on the elongated carrier within the balloon; and a power source coupled to the electrodes for supplying a voltage to the electrodes to generate an arc in the fluid within the balloon and causing current to flow between the electrodes; wherein the power source includes a current sensor for detecting the current flow between the electrodes, and wherein when the current reaches a predetermined value, the sensor generates a signal that causes the power source to terminate the voltage supply to the electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
-
-
6. A balloon catheter for delivering shockwaves to a calcified lesion comprising:
-
an elongated carrier; a flexible balloon mounted on the elongate carrier, said balloon being fillable with a conductive fluid; a pair of electrodes on the elongated carrier within the balloon; and a power source coupled to the electrodes, wherein the power source includes a current sensor configured to detect current flow between the electrodes; wherein the power source is configured to supply voltage to the electrodes such that an arc is generated in the balloon and is further configured to terminate the voltage supply a predetermined delay time after the current has reached a predetermined value. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A method for delivering shockwaves to a calcified lesion comprising:
-
advancing a balloon catheter to a calcified lesion, wherein the balloon catheter includes an elongated carrier, a flexible balloon, and a pair of electrodes on the elongated carrier within the balloon, wherein the electrodes are connected to a power source; activating the power source to supply voltage to the electrodes such that an arc is generated in the balloon and a current flows between the electrodes; detecting when the current reaches a predetermined value; and terminating the voltage supply to the electrodes after the current reaches the predetermined value. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
-
Specification