Apparatus for thermal angioplasty
First Claim
1. In an interventional therapeutic apparatus for remote delivery of heat to body tissue, the combination which comprises:
- (a) a oscillator for providing an r.f. output signal within the range of 10 MHz to 2 GHz;
(b) a transmission line having a proximal end connected to the oscillator for receiving the output signal and a distal end, the transmission line being constructed and arranged to pass through the interior of a body cavity; and
(c) an inductive load dispose at the distal end of the transmission line, the inductive load comprising a magnetic material and operating to convert the r.f. signal transmitted through the transmission line into heat, the conversion being optimized at a predetermined frequency, the frequency of the output signal from the oscillator being set at substantially said predetermined frequency, whereby the inductive load is heated to a temperature sufficient for therapeutic effects.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An interventional therapeutic apparatus is described which includes a probe in the form of a transmission line such as coaxial cable. The probe is adapted to pass through the interior of a body cavity such as a blood vessel and includes an inductive load such as a ferrite bead at the remote end of the cable. Radio frequency energy is applied to the cable and converted into heat by a ferrite bead. As a result of the heat conversion by the ferrite bead, the remote end of the coaxial cable is heated to a sufficient temperature to provide the effect desired, for example to melt or otherwise remove plaque deposits in blood vessels.
396 Citations
25 Claims
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1. In an interventional therapeutic apparatus for remote delivery of heat to body tissue, the combination which comprises:
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(a) a oscillator for providing an r.f. output signal within the range of 10 MHz to 2 GHz; (b) a transmission line having a proximal end connected to the oscillator for receiving the output signal and a distal end, the transmission line being constructed and arranged to pass through the interior of a body cavity; and (c) an inductive load dispose at the distal end of the transmission line, the inductive load comprising a magnetic material and operating to convert the r.f. signal transmitted through the transmission line into heat, the conversion being optimized at a predetermined frequency, the frequency of the output signal from the oscillator being set at substantially said predetermined frequency, whereby the inductive load is heated to a temperature sufficient for therapeutic effects. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17)
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14. A delivery system for thermal angioplasty comprising:
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(a) a coaxial transmission line having distal and proximal ends with a center conductor and an outer conducting shield and being arranged to pass through the interior of a blood vessel, the proximal end of the transmission line being adapted to be coupled to a source of r.f. energy; (b) a core of magnetic material disposed between the center conductor and outer shield at the distal end of the transmission line, the magnetic material being arranged to convert r.f. energy into heat; (c) a heat conductive cap closing the distal end of the transmission line and in heat conducting relationship to said core, whereby the application of r.f. energy to the proximal end of the transmission line will cause the core and cap to heat sufficiently to allow the distal end of the transmission line to be forced through plaque restricting deposits in the vessels and reduce the occlusive effect thereof.
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18. A device for reducing the occlusive effect of plaque in blood vessels in living tissue which comprises:
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(a) a coaxial transmission line having proximal and distal ends and a center conductor and outer conducting shield, the line being adapted to pass through the interior of a blood vessel; (b) a ferrite core disposed between the center conductor and outer shield at the distal end of the transmission line; (c) an electrically and heat conducting cap closing the distal end of the transmission line in electrical contact with the center conductor and outer shield and in heat conducting relationship with the ferrite core for providing a closed electrical circuit at the distal end of the transmission line and for receiving and dissipating heat generated in the ferrite core; and (d) power supply means coupled to the proximal end of the transmission line for applying r.f. energy thereto, whereby the r.f. energy is converted into heat by the ferrite core which heat is transmitted to the cap thereby enabling the distal end of the transmission line to ablate plaque deposits in contact with the cap and reduce the occlusive effect of such plaque within the vessel in which the transmission line is inserted. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification