Shock wave valvuloplasty device with moveable shock wave generator
First Claim
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1. A method for softening and/or breaking calcifications on tissue comprising:
- placing a balloon adjacent to calcified tissue, wherein the balloon has a longitudinal axis;
inflating the balloon with a liquid;
introducing a shock wave generator into the balloon at a first location, wherein the shock wave generator is arranged to produce a shock wave within the balloon to propagate through the liquid for impinging upon the calcified tissue, and wherein the shock wave generator is mounted on an elongate element that is slidably enclosed within an elongate tube;
initiating a shock wave within the balloon from the first location;
changing the position of the shock wave generator within the balloon to a second location that is axially and/or longitudinally displaced from the first location; and
initiating a shock wave within the balloon from the second location to vary the shock wave impingement upon the calcified tissue.
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Abstract
A valvuloplasty system comprises a balloon adapted to be placed adjacent leaflets of a valve. The balloon is inflatable with a liquid. The system further includes a shock wave generator within the balloon that produces shock waves that propagate through the liquid for impinging upon the valve. The shock wave generator is moveable within the balloon to vary shock wave impingement on the valve.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method for softening and/or breaking calcifications on tissue comprising:
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placing a balloon adjacent to calcified tissue, wherein the balloon has a longitudinal axis; inflating the balloon with a liquid; introducing a shock wave generator into the balloon at a first location, wherein the shock wave generator is arranged to produce a shock wave within the balloon to propagate through the liquid for impinging upon the calcified tissue, and wherein the shock wave generator is mounted on an elongate element that is slidably enclosed within an elongate tube; initiating a shock wave within the balloon from the first location; changing the position of the shock wave generator within the balloon to a second location that is axially and/or longitudinally displaced from the first location; and initiating a shock wave within the balloon from the second location to vary the shock wave impingement upon the calcified tissue. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification