Ultrasound catheter having improved distal end
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- positioning a catheter in a vessel such that a distal end of an ultrasound transmission member passing through the catheter is adjacent to a tissue, the distal end having a tip surrounded by an intermediate member, a proximal end and a distal end of the intermediate member each having an inner diameter that is less than a maximum diameter of the tip, the intermediate member secures the catheter to the ultrasound transmission member;
transmitting ultrasound energy to the tip through the ultrasound transmission member;
andpassing an irrigation fluid through the catheter to dissipate heat away from the ultrasound transmission member.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An ultrasound catheter has an elongate flexible catheter body having a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough, and an ultrasound transmission member extending longitudinally through the lumen of the catheter body. The ultrasound transmission member has a proximal end that is coupled to a separate ultrasound generating device, and a distal tip that is attached to the distal end of the ultrasound transmission member and which is located at the distal end of the catheter body. The distal tip has at least one dimensional step. The ultrasound transmission member is directly attached to the catheter body and/or to a guidewire tube, either directly or via an attachment device. The catheter has an additional radiopaque marker positioned on the distal end the catheter.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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positioning a catheter in a vessel such that a distal end of an ultrasound transmission member passing through the catheter is adjacent to a tissue, the distal end having a tip surrounded by an intermediate member, a proximal end and a distal end of the intermediate member each having an inner diameter that is less than a maximum diameter of the tip, the intermediate member secures the catheter to the ultrasound transmission member; transmitting ultrasound energy to the tip through the ultrasound transmission member; and passing an irrigation fluid through the catheter to dissipate heat away from the ultrasound transmission member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method comprising:
providing an ultrasound catheter comprising; an elongate flexible catheter body having a proximal end, a distal end, and longitudinally extending lumen; an ultrasound transmission member disposed within lumen and having a proximal end and a distal end; a tip coupled to the distal end of the ultrasound transmission member, wherein the tip has radial dimensional step having a contact surface facing away from the ultrasound transmission member in a distal direction; and an intermediate member that secures the catheter body to the ultrasound transmission member and having a contact surface facing a portion of the contact surface on the tip in a proximal direction. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
Specification