Apparatus for removing plaque from blood vessels using ultrasonic energy
First Claim
1. An ultrasonic apparatus for removing plaque from a blood vessel comprising:
- an elongate probe having proximal and distal extremities, the elongate probe being sized so that it can be introduced into a blood vessel and having a length so that when the distal extremity is disposed in the vicinity of a plaque on the inner surface of the vessel the proximal extremity is outside of a body of a treated patient, the elongate probe having a passage extending from the proximal extremity to the distal extremity;
a probe tip disposed in the passage, the probe tip being capable of conducting ultrasonic energy into the plaque on the vessel for cavitating the plaque;
an ultrasonic generator which is capable of delivering ultrasonic energy to the probe and into the plaque to debulk the vessel by reduction of the plaque to a particulate material;
a handle coupled to the proximal extremity of the elongate probe, wherein a plurality of transverse anti-nodes along at least a portion of the length of the elongate probe create a plaque destroying effect along at least a portion of the length of the elongate probe.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for removing plaque, fatty deposits, and other occlusions from blood vessels using ultrasonic energy. The method and apparatus has particular application in removing plaque from the carotid artery in a non-thermal manner. The apparatus is designed to have as small a cross-sectional profile as possible, therefore allowing the apparatus to be used in a minimally-invasive manner. As a result, the apparatus can be used in both surgical and outpatient treatment with minimal post-operative complications and minimal damage to areas other than the area of treatment. An ultrasonic probe may include aspiration channels on its outer surface. An aspiration sheath may surround the ultrasonic probe, such that the location of an aspiration port may be varied axially relative to the ultrasonic tip.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1. An ultrasonic apparatus for removing plaque from a blood vessel comprising:
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an elongate probe having proximal and distal extremities, the elongate probe being sized so that it can be introduced into a blood vessel and having a length so that when the distal extremity is disposed in the vicinity of a plaque on the inner surface of the vessel the proximal extremity is outside of a body of a treated patient, the elongate probe having a passage extending from the proximal extremity to the distal extremity;
a probe tip disposed in the passage, the probe tip being capable of conducting ultrasonic energy into the plaque on the vessel for cavitating the plaque;
an ultrasonic generator which is capable of delivering ultrasonic energy to the probe and into the plaque to debulk the vessel by reduction of the plaque to a particulate material;
a handle coupled to the proximal extremity of the elongate probe, wherein a plurality of transverse anti-nodes along at least a portion of the length of the elongate probe create a plaque destroying effect along at least a portion of the length of the elongate probe. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
fenestrations disposed along the length of the probe for use in at least one of irrigation and aspiration.
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3. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein:
the ultrasonic generator is configured to run at about 20 kHz.
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4. The device of claim 1 wherein the elongate probe comprises an at least one channel for aspiration of the particulate material from a treatment site.
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5. The device of claim 1 wherein the ultrasonic generator generates a transverse ultrasonic vibration along a portion of the length of the elongate probe.
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6. The device of claim 1 wherein a transverse ultrasonic vibration is transmitted from the ultrasonic generator to the elongate probe through an ultrasonic coupler.
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7. The device of claim 1 wherein the ultrasonic generator engages the proximal extremity of the elongate probe through an ultrasonic coupler.
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8. The device of claim 1 wherein the elongate probe is axially movably mounted within an aspiration sheath.
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9. The device of claim 1 wherein the elongate probe vibrates in a direction transverse to at least a portion of the length of the elongate probe.
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10. The device of claim 1 wherein a transverse ultrasonic vibration of the elongate probe provides a plurality of transverse anti-nodes along at least a portion of the length of the elongate probe.
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11. The device of claim 1 wherein a transverse ultrasonic vibration of the elongate probe creates a plaque destroying effect along at least a portion of the length of the elongate probe.
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12. The device of claim 1 wherein the elongate probe reduces the plaque to the particulate material having a diameter of approximately 10 microns or less.
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13. An ultrasonic medical device for destroying a plaque within a blood vessel comprising:
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a probe having a distal end, a proximal end and an axial length therebetween;
a diameter of the probe that is tapered from the proximal end of the probe to the distal end of the probe; and
an ultrasonic generator that engages the proximal end of the probe to deliver an ultrasonic energy to the probe, wherein the probe supports a transverse ultrasonic vibration creating a plurality of transverse anti-nodes causing a plaque destroying effect along at least a portion of the axial length of the probe to destroy the plaque within the blood vessel. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. An ultrasonic medical device for ablating a plaque within a blood vessel comprising:
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a flexible probe having a distal end, a proximal end and an axial length therebetween;
a probe tip extending from the distal end of the flexible probe; and
an ultrasonic generator that engages the proximal end of the flexible probe to deliver an ultrasonic energy along the axial length of the flexible probe,wherein the flexible probe is capable of flexing to support a transverse ultrasonic vibration creating a plurality of transverse anti-nodes causing a plaque destroying effect along at least a portion of the axial length of the flexible probe. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification