Apparatus and methods for vibratory intraluminal therapy employing magnetostrictive transducers
First Claim
1. An energy-transmitting catheter, said catheter comprising:
- a flexible catheter body having a proximal end and a distal end;
a magnetostrictive driver disposed near and within the distal end of the catheter body; and
an interface surface mechanically coupled to the driver so that said surface can be oscillated relative to the catheter body.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An energy-transmitting catheter comprises a catheter body having a vibrating assembly at its distal end. The vibrating assembly comprises a magnetostrictive driver which is mechanically coupled to an interface member on the catheter for radiating energy into an environment surrounding the distal end of the catheter. Usually, the vibrating assembly further includes a tail mass, an interface member, and a spring element which together and in combination with the magnetostrictive driver define a resonant assembly for amplification of the displacement of the interface surface provided by the magnetostrictive driver. The catheter is useful for treating luminal conditions, such as vascular clot and plaque. Optionally, a therapeutic agent may be delivered through the catheter before, after, or simultaneously with the application of vibratory energy.
424 Citations
44 Claims
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1. An energy-transmitting catheter, said catheter comprising:
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a flexible catheter body having a proximal end and a distal end; a magnetostrictive driver disposed near and within the distal end of the catheter body; and an interface surface mechanically coupled to the driver so that said surface can be oscillated relative to the catheter body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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- 17. An improved ultrasonic catheter of the type comprising a flexible catheter body having a peripheral surface and an ultrasonic driver near a distal end thereof, wherein the improvement comprises a magnetostrictive driver mechanically coupled to an interface surface on the catheter body, wherein the magnetostrictive driver is disposed entirely within the peripheral surface of the catheter body.
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33. A method for treating an intraluminal target site, said method comprising:
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providing a flexible catheter having a magnetostrictive driver disposed at and within a distal end of the catheter, wherein the magnetostrictive driver is mechanically coupled to an interface surface near the distal end of the catheter; advancing the distal end of the catheter to an intraluminal region near the target site; and energizing the magnetostrictive driver to oscillate the interface surface and impart vibratory energy into a fluid environment surrounding the distal end of the catheter. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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Specification