Laser lithotripsy device with suction

• US 7,104,983 B2
• Filed: 03/16/2004
• Issued: 09/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Liu, Clifford, Goodshall, Douglas, Grasso, Michael III, Bourne, George, Tremaglio, Anthony
• Primary Examiner(s): GIBSON, ROY DEAN
• Application Number:
  US10/801,128
• Publication Number:
  US 20040243123A1
• Time in Patent Office: 910 Days
• Field of Search: 606/41, 606/45, 606/46, 606 48- 50, 606/1, 606 15- 18, 604113-114
• US Class Current: 606/15
• 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 18/1492 having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation A61B18/1477 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/245 for removing obstructions in blood vessels or calculi
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/26 for producing a shock wave, e.g. laser lithotripsy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22038 with a guide wire
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/2216 Braided or helically wound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/2244 Features of optical fibre cables, e.g. claddings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/2272 with reflective or refractive surfaces for deflecting the beam A61B2018/2261, A61B2018/2266 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/306 using optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3614 using optical fibre
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3937 Visible markers

Abstract

A medical device is provided which comprises a suction conduit and an energy-transmitting conduit wherein at least some of the transmitted energy is directed to the distal region of the suction conduit. The device may include an optical apparatus for directing the energy. The device has applications in lithotripsy and tissue-removal in a patient.

Claims

1. A medical device comprising:

a suction conduit capable of removing material from a body lumen and configured to provide suction at a distal region of the medical device;

an optic fiber configured to transmit energy capable of fragmenting, coagulating, or vaporizing material in a body lumen, at least a portion of energy transmitted being directed towards a distal region of the suction conduit; and

a barrier positioned beyond a distal end of the suction conduit, such that a gap is formed between the barrier and the distal end of the suction conduit;

the barrier including a channel housing the optic fiber;

wherein the size of the gap is configured to limit the size of objects removed through the suction conduit.

2. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the optic fiber comprises a plurality of optic fibers intertwined together in a bundle.

3. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the optic fiber comprises an optical core of a material composition, the material composition forming an enlarged distal end of the optic fiber.

4. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the optic fiber has an angled tip.

5. The medical device of claim 1, wherein a distal region of the optic fiber comprises an unclad optical core and a reflective coating.

6. The medical device of claim 1, wherein a distal region of the optic fiber defines at least one side window to allow emission of the energy.

7. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the source of energy is a holmium laser.

8. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the barrier is formed of a light transmitting material that acts as a lens for the optic fiber.

9. A medical device comprising:

a suction conduit capable of removing material from a body lumen and configured to provide suction at a distal region of the medical device;

an energy transmitting conduit configured to transmit energy capable of fragmenting, coagulating, or vaporizing material in a body lumen, at least a portion of energy transmitted being directed towards a distal region of the suction conduit;

a channel, inserted in the suction conduit, extending along the medical device and enclosing the energy transmitting conduit; and

a barrier positioned beyond a distal end of the suction conduit such that a gap is formed between the barrier and the distal end of the suction conduit, the barrier housing a portion of the energy transmitting conduit;

wherein the size of the gap is configured to limit the size of objects removed through the suction conduit.

10. The medical device of claim 9, wherein the barrier is formed at a distal end of the channel and the channel extends through the barrier.

11. The medical device of claim 10, wherein a distal end of the energy transmitting conduit extends beyond the channel outside the barrier.

12. The medical device of claim 10, wherein the distal end of the energy transmitting conduit is disposed proximal to the distal end of the channel.

13. A medical device comprising:

a suction conduit capable of removing material from a body lumen and configured to provide suction at a distal region of the medical device;

an energy transmitting conduit configured to transmit energy capable of fragmenting, coagulating, or vaporizing material in a body lumen, at least a portion of energy transmitted being directed towards a distal region of the suction conduit; and

a barrier positioned outside a distal end of the suction conduit such that a gap is formed between the barrier and the distal end of the suction conduit;

wherein the barrier has a curved shape forming a cap at the distal region of the suction conduit; and

wherein the size of the gap is configured to limit the size of objects removed through the suction conduit.

14. A medical device comprising:

a suction conduit capable of removing material from a body lumen and configured to provide suction at a distal region of the medical device;

an energy transmitting conduit configured to transmit energy capable of fragmenting, coagulating, or vaporizing material in a body lumen, at least a portion of energy transmitted being directed towards a distal region of the suction conduit;

a barrier positioned outside a distal end of the suction conduit such that a gap is formed between the barrier and the distal end of the suction conduit;

wherein the size of the gap is configured to limit the size of objects removed through the suction conduit; and

a discernable pattern of indicia disposed on a distal end portion of the energy transmitting conduit and configured to aid an operator in positioning the energy transmitting conduit during a medical procedure.

15. The medical device of claim 14, wherein the indicia comprises a spiral pattern.

16. The medical device of claim 14, wherein the indicia comprises a checkered pattern.

17. The medical device of claim 14, wherein the energy transmitted is of at least one of the following forms:

heat, electricity, light, sound, radio frequency, mechanical force or chemical agent.

18. A medical device comprising:

a suction conduit capable of removing material from a body lumen and configured to provide suction at a distal region of the medical device;

an elongated housing having a plurality of channels extending along the medical device and radially separated from the suction conduit;

at least one energy transmitting conduit housed within one of the plurality of channels and configured to transmit energy capable of fragmenting, coagulating, or vaporizing material in a body lumen, at least a portion of energy transmitted being directed towards a distal region of the suction conduit; and

an optic disposed near the distal end of at least one energy transmitting conduit to assist directing energy toward a distal region of the suction conduit.

19. The medical device of claim 18, wherein one of the plurality of channels is an irrigation channel which transfers a cooling agent from an irrigation source.

20. The medical device of claim 18, wherein one of the plurality of channels houses a guidewire.

21. The medical device of claim 18, wherein two of the channels each house a pullwire connected to a distal end of the medical device configured to enable deflection of the distal end of the medical device.

22. The medical device of claim 18, further comprising multiple energy transmitting conduits each conduit housed within a separate channel of the plurality of channels of the medical device.

23. The medical device of claim 18, wherein the optic comprises a lens.

24. The medical device of claim 18, wherein the optic comprises a reflective surface.

25. The medical device of claim 18, wherein the energy transmitted is of at least one of the following forms:

heat, electricity, light, sound, radio frequency, mechanical force or chemical agent.

26. A medical device comprising:

a suction conduit capable of removing material from a body lumen and configured to provide suction at a distal region of the medical device;

an elongated housing having a plurality of channels extending along the medical device and radially separated from the suction conduit;

at least one energy transmitting conduit housed within one of the plurality of channels and configured to transmit energy capable of fragmenting, coagulating, or vaporizing material in a body lumen, at least a portion of energy transmitted being directed towards a distal region of the suction conduit; and

wherein the energy transmitting conduit comprises an optic fiber.

27. The medical device of claim 26, wherein the source of energy is a holmium laser.

28. A medical device comprising:

a suction conduit capable of removing material from a body lumen and configured to provide suction at a distal region of the medical device;

an elongated housing having a plurality of channels extending along the medical device and radially separated from the suction conduit;

at least one energy transmitting conduit housed within one of the plurality of channels and configured to transmit energy capable of fragmenting, coagulating, or vaporizing material in a body lumen, at least a portion of energy transmitted being directed towards a distal region of the suction conduit; and

a discernable pattern of indicia disposed on a distal end portion of at least one energy transmitting conduit and configured to aid an operator in positioning an energy transmitting conduit during a medical procedure.

29. The medical device of claim 28, wherein the indicia comprises a spiral pattern.

30. The medical device of claim 28, wherein the indicia comprises a checkered pattern.