Ultrasonic devices and methods for ablating and removing obstructive matter from anatomical passageways and blood vessels
First Claim
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1. A method of ultrasonically treating an obstruction of a blood vessel, said method comprising the steps of:
- a) providing an ultrasound catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, said catheter comprising;
i) an elongate flexible catheter having a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis extending longitudinally therethrough;
ii) at least one ultrasound transmission member extending longitudinally through said catheter body and coupleable to an ultrasound source, said ultrasound transmission member having a distal end which is substantially coterminous with the distal end of said catheter body;
iii) at least one fluid infusion lumen extending longitudinally through said catheter body and opening through at least one fluid outflow aperture formed at the distal end of said catheter body;
iv) at least one aspiration lumen extending longitudinally through said catheter body and opening through at least one aspiration port formed in the distal most centimeter of said catheter body;
b) inserting said catheter device, distal end first, into the vasculature and advancing said catheter to a point where the distal end of said catheter is adjacent the obstruction to be treated;
c) coupling said ultrasound transmission member to an ultrasound source and utilizing said ultrasound source to pass ultrasound through said ultrasound transmission member to the distal end of said catheter;
d) infusing a liquid infusate through said infusion lumen in contact with said ultrasound transmission member and out of said distal outflow aperture, thereby removing excess heat from said ultrasound transmission member;
e) applying suction to said aspiration lumen to draw matter into said distal aspiration port and through said aspiration lumen of said catheter.
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Abstract
Disclosed are methods and devices for removing obstructive matter from anatomical passageways, including the removal of obstructive matter from the cerebral vasculature, prostatic obstructions from the urinary tract and/or obstructive matter from the fallopian tubes.
552 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A method of ultrasonically treating an obstruction of a blood vessel, said method comprising the steps of:
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a) providing an ultrasound catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, said catheter comprising;
i) an elongate flexible catheter having a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis extending longitudinally therethrough;
ii) at least one ultrasound transmission member extending longitudinally through said catheter body and coupleable to an ultrasound source, said ultrasound transmission member having a distal end which is substantially coterminous with the distal end of said catheter body;
iii) at least one fluid infusion lumen extending longitudinally through said catheter body and opening through at least one fluid outflow aperture formed at the distal end of said catheter body;
iv) at least one aspiration lumen extending longitudinally through said catheter body and opening through at least one aspiration port formed in the distal most centimeter of said catheter body;
b) inserting said catheter device, distal end first, into the vasculature and advancing said catheter to a point where the distal end of said catheter is adjacent the obstruction to be treated;
c) coupling said ultrasound transmission member to an ultrasound source and utilizing said ultrasound source to pass ultrasound through said ultrasound transmission member to the distal end of said catheter;
d) infusing a liquid infusate through said infusion lumen in contact with said ultrasound transmission member and out of said distal outflow aperture, thereby removing excess heat from said ultrasound transmission member;
e) applying suction to said aspiration lumen to draw matter into said distal aspiration port and through said aspiration lumen of said catheter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification