Apparatus, systems, and methods for achieving intravascular, thermally-induced renal neuromodulation
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A catheter apparatus, comprising:
- an elongated shaft extending along an axis and comprising a controlled flexure zone and an unrestrained flexure zone coupled to and extending distally from the controlled flexure zone, the elongated shaft sized and configured for intravascular delivery into a renal blood vessel;
wherein the unrestrained flexure zone is configured to carry a thermal element, and wherein the thermal element comprises a single distal tip electrode having an atraumatic tip;
wherein the controlled flexure zone is sized and configured for placement into contact against a first wall region of the renal blood vessel and, in response to application of a force applied by a remotely controlled element, for flexure relative to the axis in a predetermined radial direction away from the first wall region toward a second wall region of the renal blood vessel generally opposite to the first wall region;
wherein the unrestrained flexure zone is sized and configured, when the controlled flexure zone is in flexure against the first wall region, for passive flexure in any plane relative to the axis to place a side of the thermal element into contact against the second wall region; and
wherein the controlled flexure zone is configured to apply, when in flexure against the first wall region, through the unrestrained flexure zone a stabilizing force to the thermal element against the second wall region.
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Abstract
Apparatus, systems, and methods for achieving thermally-induced renal neuromodulation by intravascular access are disclosed herein. One aspect of the present application, for example, is directed to apparatuses, systems, and methods that incorporate a treatment device comprising an elongated shaft. The elongated shaft is sized and configured to deliver a thermal element to a renal artery via an intravascular path. Thermally-induced renal neuromodulation may be achieved via direct and/or via indirect application of thermal energy to heat or cool neural fibers that contribute to renal function, or of vascular structures that feed or perfuse the neural fibers.
330 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A catheter apparatus, comprising:
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an elongated shaft extending along an axis and comprising a controlled flexure zone and an unrestrained flexure zone coupled to and extending distally from the controlled flexure zone, the elongated shaft sized and configured for intravascular delivery into a renal blood vessel; wherein the unrestrained flexure zone is configured to carry a thermal element, and wherein the thermal element comprises a single distal tip electrode having an atraumatic tip; wherein the controlled flexure zone is sized and configured for placement into contact against a first wall region of the renal blood vessel and, in response to application of a force applied by a remotely controlled element, for flexure relative to the axis in a predetermined radial direction away from the first wall region toward a second wall region of the renal blood vessel generally opposite to the first wall region; wherein the unrestrained flexure zone is sized and configured, when the controlled flexure zone is in flexure against the first wall region, for passive flexure in any plane relative to the axis to place a side of the thermal element into contact against the second wall region; and wherein the controlled flexure zone is configured to apply, when in flexure against the first wall region, through the unrestrained flexure zone a stabilizing force to the thermal element against the second wall region. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A medical treatment kit, comprising:
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an intravascular treatment device including— an elongated shaft extending along an axis and comprising a controlled flexure zone and an unrestrained flexure zone coupled to and extending distally from the controlled flexure zone, the elongated shaft sized and configured for intravascular delivery into a renal blood vessel; wherein the unrestrained flexure zone is configured to carry a thermal element, and wherein the thermal element comprises a single distal tip electrode having an atraumatic tip; wherein the controlled flexure zone is sized and configured for placement into contact against a first wall region of the renal blood vessel and, in response to application of a force applied by a remotely controlled element, for flexure relative to the axis in a predetermined radial direction away from the first wall region toward a second wall region of the renal blood vessel generally opposite to the first wall region; wherein the unrestrained flexure zone is sized and configured, when the controlled flexure zone is in flexure against the first wall region, for passive flexure in any plane relative to the axis to place a side of the thermal element into contact against the second wall region; and wherein the controlled flexure zone is configured to apply, when in flexure against the first wall region, through the unrestrained flexure zone a stabilizing force to the thermal element against the second wall region; a cable configured to electrically connect the intravascular treatment device to an energy generator; a guide catheter configured to facilitate intravascular delivery of the treatment device into a patient; and instructions for delivering the treatment device into a renal artery of the patient and at least partially denervating a kidney of the patient corresponding to the renal artery to treat the patient for a condition associated with at least one of hypertension, heart failure, kidney disease, chronic renal failure, sympathetic hyperactivity, diabetes, metabolic disorder, arrhythmia, acute myocardial infarction and cardio-renal syndrome. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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Specification