Ultrasonic probe device with rapid attachment and detachment means
First Claim
1. A device for removing occlusions in blood vessels comprising:
- a) an ultrasonic probe having a proximal end and a distal end;
b) a probe attachment means including a coupling assembly; and
c) a sound conductor with a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end being connected to the coupling assembly and said proximal end being connected to a transducer capable of providing ultrasound energy, wherein said ultrasonic probe is releasably mounted at said proximal end to said probe attachment means, enabling said sound conductor to transmit ultrasound energy from said transducer to said ultrasonic probe, causing said ultrasonic probe to vibrate in a direction substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of said ultrasonic probe producing a plurality of transverse vibration anti-nodes along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic probe.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An ultrasonic tissue ablation device comprising a transversely vibrating elongated probe, and a coupling assembly for probe attachment detachment that enables the probe assembly and separation from the device body that includes the ultrasound energy source and a sound conductor, and a method of use for removal of vascular occlusions in blood vessels. The coupling assembly enables incorporation of elongated probes with small cross sectional lumens such as a catheter guidewires. The probe detachability allows insertion manipulation and withdrawal independently of the device body. The probe can be used with acoustic and/or aspirations sheaths to enhance destruction and removal of an occlusion. The horn assembly of the device that contains a sound conducting horn functions as an energy regulator and reservoir for the probe, and precludes loss of probe cavitation energy by its bending or damping within the blood vessel.
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Citations
68 Claims
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1. A device for removing occlusions in blood vessels comprising:
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a) an ultrasonic probe having a proximal end and a distal end;
b) a probe attachment means including a coupling assembly; and
c) a sound conductor with a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end being connected to the coupling assembly and said proximal end being connected to a transducer capable of providing ultrasound energy, wherein said ultrasonic probe is releasably mounted at said proximal end to said probe attachment means, enabling said sound conductor to transmit ultrasound energy from said transducer to said ultrasonic probe, causing said ultrasonic probe to vibrate in a direction substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of said ultrasonic probe producing a plurality of transverse vibration anti-nodes along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic probe. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A method of removing a vascular occlusion in a blood vessel comprising the following steps:
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a) detaching an ultrasonic probe from a probe attachment means;
b) inserting the ultrasonic probe into a site of the occlusion;
c) positioning the ultrasonic probe at said site of said occlusion by a manipulation within the blood vessel having the occlusion;
d) mounting the ultrasonic probe to a coupling assembly;
e) activating a transducer to vibrate the ultrasonic probe in a direction substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic probe producing a plurality of transverse vibration anti-nodes along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic probe; and
f) detaching the ultrasonic probe from the coupling assembly upon completion of a surgical procedure and withdrawing the ultrasonic probe from the blood vessel. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. An ultrasonic medical device for removing an occlusion comprising:
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an elongated, flexible probe having a distal end, a proximal end and a longitudinal length therebetween; and
a horn assembly engaged to the proximal end of the elongated, flexible probe; and
a coupling assembly that engages the horn assembly to the elongated, flexible probe, wherein a transfer of energy from the horn assembly to the elongated, flexible probe produces a transverse ultrasonic vibration along at least a portion of the longitudinal length of the elongated, flexible probe, producing a plurality of transverse vibration anti-nodes along at least a portion of the longitudinal length of the elongated, flexible probe. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54)
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55. A method of removing an occlusion in an interstice of a body comprising:
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engaging a coupling assembly to a proximal end of an elongated, flexible probe and a distal end of a horn assembly; and
transferring energy from the horn assembly to the elongated, flexible probe; and
producing a transverse ultrasonic vibration along at least a portion of a longitudinal length of the elongated, flexible probe, causing a plurality of transverse vibration anti-nodes along at least a portion of the longitudinal length of the elongated, flexible probe. - View Dependent Claims (56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68)
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Specification