Ultrasonic device for tissue ablation and sheath for use therewith
First Claim
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1. An ultrasonic device for tissue ablation comprising:
- an elongate probe body having a proximal end, a distal end and at least two regions of differing cross-sectional dimension;
an oscillating flexible probe tip at the distal end of the probe body having a cross-sectional dimension smaller than the proximal end;
a transducer contained in a probe handle capable of vibrating at an ultrasonic frequency coupled to the probe body;
an adapting mechanism mechanically coupling the transducer to the probe body to enable translation of vibrations from said transducer to the probe, causing a length of the probe body including the probe tip to be oscillated transversely to its longitudinal axis; and
a sheath assembly adapted to said probe comprising at least one sheath, wherein the probe body emits a transverse ultrasonic energy along the length of the probe body so that a plurality of transverse nodes and anti-nodes are formed along the length of the probe body.
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Abstract
A transverse mode ultrasonic probe is provided which creates a cavitation area along its longitudinal length, increasing the working surface of the probe. Accessory sheaths are also provided for use with the probe to enable a user to select from features most suited to an individual medical procedure. The sheaths provide acoustic enhancing and aspiration enhancing properties, and/or can be used as surgical tools or as medical access devices, protecting tissue from physical contact with the probe.
713 Citations
23 Claims
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1. An ultrasonic device for tissue ablation comprising:
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an elongate probe body having a proximal end, a distal end and at least two regions of differing cross-sectional dimension;
an oscillating flexible probe tip at the distal end of the probe body having a cross-sectional dimension smaller than the proximal end;
a transducer contained in a probe handle capable of vibrating at an ultrasonic frequency coupled to the probe body;
an adapting mechanism mechanically coupling the transducer to the probe body to enable translation of vibrations from said transducer to the probe, causing a length of the probe body including the probe tip to be oscillated transversely to its longitudinal axis; and
a sheath assembly adapted to said probe comprising at least one sheath, wherein the probe body emits a transverse ultrasonic energy along the length of the probe body so that a plurality of transverse nodes and anti-nodes are formed along the length of the probe body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of modulating, focusing and directing cavitation energy emitted from a ultrasonic probe coupled a transducer capable of providing an ultrasonic excitation signal to said probe, vibrating in a transverse mode for tissue ablation comprising:
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enclosing at least a portion of the probe within a sheath assembly having at least one fenestration;
inserting the probe of an ultrasonic medical device into a blood vessel;
guiding the probe and the enclosing sheath assembly into the blood vessel up to a site of an occlusion;
positioning said probe and the sheath assembly such that the fenestration is in proximity with the occlusion causing materials;
providing an ultrasonic electrical excitation signal to said ultrasonic medical device and transferring the signal along a length of the probe to a flexible probe tip, thereby causing transverse vibration of the length of said probe and the generation of a plurality of nodes of a cavitation energy along the length of said probe; and
controlling the selective transmission of the cavitation energy through the fenestration in the sheath assembly, thereby directing said energy specifically in an occluded area within the blood vessel to cause fragmentation of the occlusion causing materials. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
introducing the sheath assembly from an exterior of a patient to the site of the occlusion, and introducing the ultrasonic probe into said sheath assembly.
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Specification