Eccentric balloon laser catheter
First Claim
1. A method for using a catheter, the method comprising:
- (a) inserting the catheter into a vessel, wherein the catheter comprises (i) a catheter body including a central axis, a proximal end, a distal end face, and a cavity disposed within a periphery of the catheter body, (ii) a light guide extending from the proximal end of the catheter body to the distal end face of the catheter body, and (iii) a balloon coupled with the catheter body, wherein at least a first portion of the balloon is disposed within the cavity;
(b) coupling a laser to the light guide;
(c) positioning the catheter near a target within the vessel;
(d) activating the laser while the balloon is in an uninflated state and ablating at least a first portion of the target;
(e) inflating the balloon to an inflated state, after activating the laser while the balloon is in the uninflated state, thereby causing at least a second portion of the inflated balloon to extend outside the cavity eccentrically relative to the catheter body and proximally relative to the distal end face of the catheter body and press against an inner wall of the vessel or the target;
(f) activating the laser while the balloon is in the inflated state and ablating at least a second portion of the target; and
(g) axially moving the distal end face of the catheter body relative to the balloon in a longitudinal direction of the central axis within the vessel while the balloon is in the inflated state.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Various embodiments of an eccentric balloon catheter are disclosed. In some embodiments, an eccentric balloon catheter includes an eccentrically positioned guidewire tube, with an interior lumen, that extends at least a portion of the length of the catheter body. Optical fibers may extend the length of the catheter body and may also be eccentrically positioned within the catheter body. An inflatable balloon may be positioned within a window within the catheter body near the distal end of the catheter. When inflated, the balloon and catheter may slide relative to one another. When used within a vessel, an inflated balloon may press against a vessel wall and bias the catheter toward an opposite vessel wall.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for using a catheter, the method comprising:
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(a) inserting the catheter into a vessel, wherein the catheter comprises (i) a catheter body including a central axis, a proximal end, a distal end face, and a cavity disposed within a periphery of the catheter body, (ii) a light guide extending from the proximal end of the catheter body to the distal end face of the catheter body, and (iii) a balloon coupled with the catheter body, wherein at least a first portion of the balloon is disposed within the cavity; (b) coupling a laser to the light guide; (c) positioning the catheter near a target within the vessel; (d) activating the laser while the balloon is in an uninflated state and ablating at least a first portion of the target; (e) inflating the balloon to an inflated state, after activating the laser while the balloon is in the uninflated state, thereby causing at least a second portion of the inflated balloon to extend outside the cavity eccentrically relative to the catheter body and proximally relative to the distal end face of the catheter body and press against an inner wall of the vessel or the target; (f) activating the laser while the balloon is in the inflated state and ablating at least a second portion of the target; and (g) axially moving the distal end face of the catheter body relative to the balloon in a longitudinal direction of the central axis within the vessel while the balloon is in the inflated state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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9. A method for using a catheter, the method comprising:
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(a) inserting the catheter into a vessel, wherein the catheter comprises (i) a catheter body including a central axis, a proximal end, a distal end face, and a cavity disposed within a periphery of the catheter body, (ii) a light guide disposed within the catheter body, and (iii) a balloon, wherein at least a first portion of the balloon is disposed within the cavity; (b) positioning the catheter adjacent a target within the vessel; (c) activating a laser coupled to the light guide while the balloon is in an uninflated state and ablating at least a first portion of the target; (d) inflating the balloon to an inflated state, thereby causing at least a second portion of the inflated balloon to extend outside the cavity eccentrically relative to the catheter body and proximally relative to the distal end face of the catheter; (e) activating the laser while the balloon is in the inflated state and ablating at least a second portion of the target; and (f) advancing the catheter body relative to the balloon while the balloon is in the inflated state. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A method for using a catheter, the method comprising:
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inserting the catheter into a vessel, wherein the catheter comprises; a catheter body including a light guide disposed therein, the catheter body having a central axis, a proximal end, a distal end face, and a cavity disposed within a periphery of the catheter body, and, a balloon slidably coupled with the catheter body, wherein at least a first portion of the balloon is disposed within the cavity; positioning the catheter adjacent a target within the vessel; activating a laser while the balloon is in an uninflated state and ablating at least a first portion of the target; inflating the balloon to an inflated state, thereby causing the inflated balloon to extend outside the cavity eccentrically relative to the catheter body and proximally relative to the distal end face of the catheter body; activating the laser while the balloon is in the inflated state and ablating at least a second portion of the target; and
,slidably repositioning the catheter adjacent the target while the balloon remains stationary. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification