Ultra-sound catheter for removing obstructions from tubular anatomical structures such as blood vessels

• US 5,405,318 A
• Filed: 09/28/1993
• Issued: 04/11/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Advanced Cardiovascular Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories)
• Original Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
• Inventors: Nita, Henry
• Primary Examiner(s): Rosenbaum, C. Fred
• Assistant Examiner(s): ARNESS, MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US08/127,985
• Time in Patent Office: 560 Days
• Field of Search: 604/21, 604/22, 604/52, 606/159, 606/169-171, 601/2, 128/662.03, 128/662.06, 607/97
• US Class Current: 604/22
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/22012 in direct contact with, or very close to, the obstruction or concrement for removing obstructions in blood vessels by laser A61B18/245
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320758 with a rotating cutting instrument, e.g. motor driven A61B17/320725, A61B17/32075 and A61B17/320783 take precedence; for removing intra-ocular material A61F9/00763; endoscopic rotatable cutting instruments A61B17/32002
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00101 using an array of thermosensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00849 with respect to tissue, e.g. hollow organs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00867 shape memory effect
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22018 segmented along its length
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22038 with a guide wire
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22039 eccentric
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320088 with acoustic insulation, e.g. elements for damping vibrations between horn and surrounding sheath
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00029 open
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/005 with suction drainage system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/007 with irrigation system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30092 using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0042 using a fluid, e.g. circulating
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0183 Rapid exchange or monorail catheters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0279 Cannula; Nozzles; Tips; their connection means

Abstract

An ultrasound catheter for removing obstructions from tubular anatomic structures such as blood vessels, said catheter comprising an elongate flexible catheter body having an ultrasound transmission member or wire extending longitudinally therethrough. A distal head is formed on the distal end of the ultrasound transmission member or wire and is affixed to the catheter body. The ultrasound transmission member or wire may be formed of any material capable of transmitting ultrasonic energy including various superelastic metal alloys such as nickel titanium metal alloys. The distal portion of the ultrasound transmission member or wire may be of reduced diameter to provide enhanced flexibility and/or amplification of the ultrasonic energy through the distal portion of the ultrasound transmission member or wire. A coating or jacket may be disposed on all or portion(s) of the ultrasound transmission member or wire to reduce friction between the ultrasound transmission member or wire and surrounding structures.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic catheter for removing obstructions from tubular anatomical structures such as blood vessels, said ultrasonic catheter comprising:

an elongate flexible catheter body having a proximal end, a distal end and at least one lumen extending longitudinally therethrough;

an ultrasound transmission member extending longitudinally through said lumen of said catheter body, said ultrasound transmission member having a proximal end connectable to a separate ultrasound generating device and a distal end terminating adjacent the distal end of said catheter body;

said ultrasound transmission member comprising a metal wire having an outer surface, and further comprising a friction-reducing coating applied on the outer surface of the metal wire.

2. The ultrasonic catheter of claim 1 wherein said coating comprises a polymeric material.

3. The ultrasonic catheter of claim 2 wherein said coating comprises polytetrafluoroethylene.

4. The ultrasonic catheter of claim 2 wherein said coating comprises polyethylene.

5. The ultrasonic catheter of claim 1 wherein said coating comprises a tubular jacket surrounding at least a portion of said ultrasound transmission member.

6. The ultrasonic catheter of claim 1 wherein said coating extends over the entire length of said ultrasound transmission member.

7. The ultrasonic catheter of claim 1 wherein said coating covers less than the entire longitudinal length of said ultrasound transmission member,

8. The ultrasonic catheter of claim 1 wherein said coating covers discrete regions of said ultrasound transmission member.

9. An ultrasonic catheter for removing obstructions from tubular anatomical structures such as blood vessels, said ultrasonic catheter comprising:

an elongate flexible catheter body having a proximal end, a distal end and at least one lumen extending longitudinally therethrough;

an ultrasound transmission member extending longitudinally through said lumen of said catheter body, said ultrasound transmission member having a proximal end connectable to a separate ultrasound generating device and a distal end terminating adjacent the distal end of said catheter body;

said ultrasound transmission member comprising a metal wire having a friction-reducing liquid applied thereon and then subsequently allowed to harden.

10. The ultrasonic catheter of claim 9 wherein said liquid extends over the entire length of said ultrasound transmission member.

11. The ultrasonic catheter of claim 9 wherein said liquid covers less than the entire longitudinal length of said ultrasound transmission member.

12. The ultrasonic catheter of claim 9 wherein said liquid covers discrete regions of said ultrasound transmission member.