Ultrasound apparatuses for thermally-induced renal neuromodulation
DC CAFCFirst Claim
1. An ultrasound apparatus for thermally-induced renal neuromodulation, the apparatus comprising:
- a catheter sized and shaped for delivery within a blood vessel to a vicinity of neural fibers that contribute to renal function;
an ultrasound transducer carried by the catheter, wherein the ultrasound transducer is configured to transmit ultrasound energy waves to target renal neural fibers outside of the blood vessel to thermally induce modulation of target neural fibers while protecting non-target tissue in the blood vessel wall from thermal injury; and
an expandable member carried by a distal region of the catheter,wherein the expandable member is configured to vary between a reduced configuration for delivery and retrieval and an expanded deployed configuration, andwherein the ultrasound transducer is positioned on a shaft of the catheter and within the expandable member.
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus are provided for thermally-induced renal neuromodulation. 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. In some embodiments, parameters of the neural fibers, of non-target tissue, or of the thermal energy delivery element, may be monitored via one or more sensors for controlling the thermally-induced neuromodulation. In some embodiments, protective elements may be provided to reduce a degree of thermal damage induced in the non-target tissues.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. An ultrasound apparatus for thermally-induced renal neuromodulation, the apparatus comprising:
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a catheter sized and shaped for delivery within a blood vessel to a vicinity of neural fibers that contribute to renal function; an ultrasound transducer carried by the catheter, wherein the ultrasound transducer is configured to transmit ultrasound energy waves to target renal neural fibers outside of the blood vessel to thermally induce modulation of target neural fibers while protecting non-target tissue in the blood vessel wall from thermal injury; and an expandable member carried by a distal region of the catheter, wherein the expandable member is configured to vary between a reduced configuration for delivery and retrieval and an expanded deployed configuration, and wherein the ultrasound transducer is positioned on a shaft of the catheter and within the expandable member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification