Ultrasound devices for ablating and removing obstructive matter from anatomical passageways and blood vessels

• US 5,957,882 A
• Filed: 03/12/1997
• Issued: 09/28/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Advanced Cardiovascular Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories)
• Original Assignee: Advanced Cardiovascular Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories)
• Inventors: Nita, Henry, Mills, Timothy C.
• Primary Examiner(s): MCDERMOTT, CORRINE MARIE
• Application Number:
  US08/815,673
• Time in Patent Office: 930 Days
• Field of Search: 604/21, 604/22, 606/159, 606/169-171, 601/2
• 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 2017/00101 using an array of thermosensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00849 with respect to tissue, e.g. hollow organs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22039 eccentric
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22041 outside the catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320073 probe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00011 with fluids
• 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

Abstract

An ultrasonic catheter device for removing obstructive matter from anatomical passageway includes a tubular body with distal head member in which a plurality of fluid passageways are formed about the lateral surface to expel fluid outward generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body.

Claims

1. An ultrasound catheter device for delivering ultrasound from an external ultrasound source to a location inside a mammalian body, said device comprising:

(a) a tubular catheter body having a proximal end, a distal end, at least one lumen extending longitudinally therethrough and a longitudinal axis;

(b) a distal head member comprising a plug at least partially inserted into the distal end of the lumen of the catheter body, said distal head member having a lateral sidewall and a frontal surface and

a plurality of fluid passageways and fluid outflow apertures formed at spaced locations about the lateral surface of said distal head member to expel fluid in outward directions generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said catheter body said fluid passageways being configured to carry fluid from said catheter lumen, through said fluid passageway and out of said fluid outflow apertures;

(c) a proximal connector assembly on the proximal end of said catheter body, said proximal connector assembly having at least one bore extending longitudinally therethrough in fluid connection with the lumen of said catheter body, and at least one fluid infusion port to permit infusion of fluid;

(d) an ultrasound transmission member having a proximal end and a distal end, said ultrasound transmission member extending longitudinally through the lumen of said catheter body and into the bore of said proximal connector assembly, the distal end of said ultrasound transmission member being in contact with said distal head member and the proximal end of said ultrasound transmission member being coupleable, by way of said proximal connector assembly, to said external ultrasound source;

(e) said catheter device being thereby constructed to concomitantly deliver;

(i) ultrasonic vibration from said ultrasound source to the distal head member of said catheter; and

(ii) a flow of infusion/dilation fluid through said catheter body and out of said fluid outflow apertures.

2. An ultrasound catheter device for delivering ultrasound from an external ultrasound source to a location inside a mammalian body, said device comprising:

(a) a tubular catheter body having a proximal end, a distal end, at least one lumen extending longitudinally therethrough and a longitudinal axis;

(b) a distal head member comprising a plug at least partially inserted into the distal end of the lumen of the catheter body, said distal head member having

a central fluid passageway extending longitudinally therein to and fluidly communicative with the lumen of said catheter, said central fluid passageway leading to a plurality of secondary fluid passageways which lead to a plurality of fluid outflow apertures, respectively, so as to carry infusion fluid from the lumen of said catheter, through said distal head member and out of said plurality of fluid outflow apertures;

(c) a proximal connector assembly on the proximal end of said catheter body, said proximal connector assembly having at least one bore extending longitudinally therethrough in fluid connection with the lumen of said catheter body, and at least one fluid infusion port to permit infusion of fluid;

(d) an ultrasound transmission member having a proximal end and a distal end, said ultrasound transmission member extending longitudinally through the lumen of said catheter body and into the bore of said proximal connector assembly, the distal end of said ultrasound transmission member being in contact with said distal head member and the proximal end of said ultrasound transmission member being coupleable, by way of said external connector assembly, to said proximal ultrasound source;

(e) said catheter device being thereby constructed to concomitantly deliver;

(i) ultrasonic vibration from said ultrasound source to the distal head member of said catheter; and

(ii) a flow of infusion/dilation fluid through said catheter body and out of said fluid outflow apertures.