Apparatus for removing plaque from blood vessels using ultrasonic energy

• US 6,866,670 B2
• Filed: 08/06/2003
• Issued: 03/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cybersonics, Inc
• Original Assignee: OmniSonics Medical Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Hare, Brad A., Rabiner, Robert A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Philogene, Pedro
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bonderer, D. Austin
• Application Number:
  US10/635,200
• Publication Number:
  US 20040073244A1
• Time in Patent Office: 587 Days
• Field of Search: 606/128, 606/127, 606/110, 606/114, 606/115, 606/166, 606/169, 606/170, 604/22
• US Class Current: 606/128
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• 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 2017/00137 Details of operation mode
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00274 Prostate operation, e.g. prostatectomy, turp, bhp treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22002 preventing restenosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22007 Cavitation or pseudocavitation, i.e. creation of gas bubbles generating a secondary shock wave when collapsing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22008 used or promoted
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22015 with details of the transmission member
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22018 segmented along its length
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22051 with an inflatable part, e.g. balloon, for positioning, blocking, or immobilisation A61B2017/22048, A61B2017/3486 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/293 with means preventing relative rotation between the shaft and the actuating rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320073 probe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320084 Irrigation sleeves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/005 with suction drainage system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/007 with irrigation system

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.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic medical device comprising:

a probe having a distal end, a proximal end and an axial length therebetween; and

a diameter of the probe that is tapered, from the proximal end of the probe to the distal end of the probe,

wherein the probe transmits a transverse ultrasonic vibration along at least a portion of the axial length and a probe tip of the probe to destroy plaque within a blood vessel along at least a portion of the axial length and the probe tip of the probe.

2. The ultrasonic medical device of claim 1 wherein the probe has a small cross sectional profile.

3. The ultrasonic medical device of claim 1 wherein the probe is axially movably mounted within an aspiration sheath.

4. The ultrasonic medical device of claim 1 wherein the probe tip moves axially inward and outward relative to a distal end of an aspiration sheath.

5. The ultrasonic medical device of claim 4 wherein the probe tip is a ball shaped projection from the distal end of the probe.

6. The ultrasonic medical device of claim 1 wherein the probe includes a groove for aspiration of a material from a treatment site.

7. The ultrasonic medical device of claim 1 wherein the probe vibrates in a direction transverse to at least a portion of the axial length of the probe.

8. The ultrasonic medical device of claim 1 wherein the transverse ultrasonic vibration of the probe provides a plurality of anti-nodes along at least a portion of the axial length of the probe.

9. The ultrasonic medical device of claim 8 wherein the plurality of anti-nodes are points of maximum transverse ultrasonic vibration along at least a portion of the axial length of the probe.

10. The ultrasonic medical device of claim 1 wherein a flexibility of the probe allows the probe to be articulated.

11. A medical device comprising:

a flexible probe having a distal end, a proximal end and an axial length therebetween; and

a probe tip extending from the distal end of the probe,

wherein the probe transmits a transverse ultrasonic vibration along at least a portion of the axial length and the probe tip of the probe to remove placate alone at least a portion of the axial length and the probe tip of the probe.

12. The medical device of claim 11 wherein the flexible probe has a small crass sectional profile.

13. The medical device of claim 11 wherein the flexible probe is axially movably mounted within an aspiration sheath.

14. The medical device of claim 11 wherein the probe tip is capable of moving axially inward and outward relative to a distal end of an aspiration sheath.

15. The medical device of claim 11 wherein the probe tip is a ball shaped projection from the distal end of the flexible probe.

16. The medical device of claim 11 wherein the flexible probe includes a groove for aspiration of a material from a treatment site.

17. The medical device of claim 11 wherein the flexible probe vibrates in a direction transverse to at least a portion of the axial length of the flexible probe.

18. The medical device of claim 11 wherein the transverse ultrasonic vibration of the flexible probe provides a plurality of anti-nodes along at least a portion of the axial length of the flexible probe.

19. The medical device of claim 18 wherein the plurality of anti-nodes are points of maximum transverse ultrasonic vibration along at least a portion of the axial length of the flexible probe.

20. The medical device of claim 11 wherein a flexibility of the probe allows the probe to be articulated.