Ultrasonic angioplasty device incorporating an ultrasound transmission member made at least partially from a superelastic metal alloy
First Claim
1. An ultrasonic angioplasty device, comprising:
- an elongate flexible catheter having a proximal end, a distal end and at least one lumen extending longitudinally therethrough;
an ultrasound transmission member extending longitudinally through the lumen of said flexible catheter to transmit ultrasonic energy from the proximal end of said catheter to the distal end thereof;
said ultrasound transmission member being formed of a metal alloy material comprised of at least two metal elements, the relative amounts of said metal elements in said alloy being such that said alloy exhibits an ultimate tensile strength at 20°
of approximately 1150 Mpa and a superelastic temperature range of approximately 20°
-80°
;
wherein, when said flexible catheter is placed in a bent configuration inside a mammalian vessel, said ultrasound transmission member will concomitantly assume a bent configuration.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An ultrasonic angioplasty device comprising an elongate ultrasound transmission member having a proximal end attachable to an ultrasound generating device and a bulbous distal head or probe formed on the distal end thereof for effecting ablative treatment of an occluding lesion. The ultrasound transmission member may be formed of one or more superelastic metal alloys such as NiTi (50 at. % Ni). A guidewire lumen may be formed in the distal head or probe to permit passage of a guidewire therethrough. Portions of the ultrasound transmission member may be curved or bent. Portions of the ultrasound transmission member may be tapered or narrowed. One or more surface disruptions may be formed on the distal head or probe to improve treatment efficacy. An increased hardness coating or outer skin may be formed on the ultrasound transmission member. The device of the present invention may be incorporated into an angioscopic device.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. An ultrasonic angioplasty device, comprising:
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an elongate flexible catheter having a proximal end, a distal end and at least one lumen extending longitudinally therethrough; an ultrasound transmission member extending longitudinally through the lumen of said flexible catheter to transmit ultrasonic energy from the proximal end of said catheter to the distal end thereof; said ultrasound transmission member being formed of a metal alloy material comprised of at least two metal elements, the relative amounts of said metal elements in said alloy being such that said alloy exhibits an ultimate tensile strength at 20°
of approximately 1150 Mpa and a superelastic temperature range of approximately 20°
-80°
;wherein, when said flexible catheter is placed in a bent configuration inside a mammalian vessel, said ultrasound transmission member will concomitantly assume a bent configuration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification