Thermal dilatation catheter and method
First Claim
1. A heatable dilatation catheter comprisinga catheter member;
- dilation means affixed to the catheter member;
a guidewire extending through the catheter member;
a first electrode affixed to the guidewire;
a second electrode affixed to the catheter member, the second electrode electrically insulated from and spaced by a distance of at least one catheter diameter from the first electrode; and
means for selectively communicating an electric current to the first and the second electrodes to thereby cause heating of a resistive mass therebetween.
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Accused Products
Abstract
This invention provides a method and an apparatus for selectively heating a resistive mass which partially or fully occludes a particular tubal passage, such as a blood vessel or the urethra. As a result, the tubal passage is effectively softened or weakened, allowing the tubal passage to be more readily recanalized by expansion of a balloon or other dilatation means. This invention also provides a method and an apparatus for effectively boring through a partially or fully occluded tubal passage by simultaneously applying both (1) heat to the occlusive mass surrounding the tip of the catheter and (2) pressure against the mass within the partially or fully occluded passage.
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Citations
57 Claims
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1. A heatable dilatation catheter comprising
a catheter member; -
dilation means affixed to the catheter member; a guidewire extending through the catheter member; a first electrode affixed to the guidewire; a second electrode affixed to the catheter member, the second electrode electrically insulated from and spaced by a distance of at least one catheter diameter from the first electrode; and means for selectively communicating an electric current to the first and the second electrodes to thereby cause heating of a resistive mass therebetween. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 33, 36, 43, 50, 51)
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13. A heatable dilatation catheter comprising:
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at least two electrodes located on the catheter electrically insulated from each other and spaced by a distance of at least two catheter diameters; means for selectively communicating an electric current to the electrodes to thereby cause heating of the resistive mass located between the electrodes; and temperature-sensing means disposed proximate a distal end of the catheter for sensing temperature of the resistive mass being heated. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 37, 38, 44, 52)
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19. A heatable dilatation catheter comprising:
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at least two electrodes located on the catheter electrically insulated from each other and spaced by a distance of at least two catheter diameters, each of the electrodes extending circumferentially in an annular band around the periphery of the catheter; and means for selectively communicating an electric current to the electrodes to thereby cause heating of a resistive mass located between the electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 39, 40, 45, 53)
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25. A heatable dilatation catheter comprising:
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a catheter member; a dilatation means affixed to the catheter member; a guidewire extending through the catheter member; a first electrode affixed to the guidewire; a second electrode affixed to the catheter member and electrically insulated from and spaced by a distance of at least one catheter diameter from the first electrode; a third electrode affixed to the catheter member at a distal end of the dilation means, the third electrode electrically insulated from each of the first and the second electrodes; a fourth electrode affixed to the catheter at a proximal end of the dilation means, the fourth electrode electrically insulated from each of the first, second and third electrodes, and spaced by a distance of at least two catheter diameters from the third electrode; and means for selectively communicating an electric current to the first, second, third, and fourth electrodes to thereby cause heating of a resistive mass disposed in proximity to the electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (26, 41, 46, 54)
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27. In a heatable catheter having a dilation means, the improvement comprising:
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a first electrode located on an extensible guidewire; a second electrode located at a distal end of the catheter electrically insulated from the first electrode; a third electrode located at a distal end of the dilation means electrically insulated from the first and second electrodes; a fourth electrode located at a proximal end of the dilation means electrically insulated from the first, second, and third electrodes; whereby the first and second electrodes are separated by a distance of at least one catheter diameter from each other; whereby the third and fourth electrodes are separated by a distance of at least two catheter diameters from each other; whereby the guidewire comprises the first electrode; whereby the second, third, and fourth electrodes are annular metallic regions having a wire extending therefrom; means for selectively communicating an electric current to the electrodes to thereby cause heating of a resistive mass located between the electrodes; whereby the means for communicating an electric current to the second, third, and fourth electrodes comprises at least one wire contained within the catheter; and whereby the guidewire comprises the means for communicating an electric current to the first electrode. - View Dependent Claims (28, 42, 47, 55)
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29. A method of heating a resistive mass obstruction or portion thereof in a tubal passage, the method comprising the steps of:
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positioning at least two electrodes, electrically insulated from each other and spaced by a distance of at least two estheter diameters, on either side of the obstruction or portion thereof; conducting a high frequency current between the electrodes through the obstruction to thereby heat the obstruction to an elevated temperature; sensing the elevated temperature; and controlling the high frequency current to thereby control the elevated temperature. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 34, 48, 56, 57)
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32. A method of dilatating a resistive mass obstruction or a portion thereof in a tubal passage, the method comprising the steps of:
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positioning a first electrode, an inflatable expansion means, and a second electrode against the obstruction, the first and second electrodes being electrically insulated from each other and spaced by a distance of at least two catheter diameters; conducting a high frequency current between the electrodes through the obstruction to thereby heat the obstruction to an elevated temperature; sensing the elevated temperature; controlling the high frequency current to thereby control the elevated temperature; and inflating the expansion means against the obstruction. - View Dependent Claims (35, 49)
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Specification