Ultrasound catheter devices and methods
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Ultrasound catheter devices and methods provide enhanced disruption of blood vessel obstructions. Generally, ultrasound catheters include an elongate flexible catheter body with one or more lumens, an ultrasound transmission member extending longitudinally through the catheter body lumen and a distal head coupled with the transmission member and positioned adjacent the distal end of the catheter body for disrupting occlusions. Improved features of ultrasound catheters include prevention of independent rotation of the ultrasound transmission member, a safety anchor for the distal head, a one-piece transmission member/distal head and the like.
126 Citations
66 Claims
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1-47. -47. (canceled)
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48. A method of manufacturing an ultrasound transmission member for use in an ultrasound catheter device, the method comprising:
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providing a generally cylindrically-shaped transmission member material;
shaping the material to taper the transmission member from a first, wider end toward a second, narrower end; and
forming a distal head at the second, narrower end. - View Dependent Claims (49, 50, 51, 52)
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53. A method for disrupting an occlusion in a blood vessel, the method comprising:
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positioning an ultrasound catheter in the blood vessel such that a distal end of the catheter is adjacent the occlusion;
transmitting ultrasound energy to an ultrasound transmission member of the ultrasound catheter to disrupt the occlusion into multiple occlusion fragments;
expanding an expandable balloon coupled with the ultrasound catheter at a location proximal to the distal end of the catheter; and
removing at least some of the occlusion fragments from the blood vessel via the ultrasound catheter. - View Dependent Claims (54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60)
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61. A method for disrupting an occlusion in a blood vessel, the method comprising:
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introducing an ultrasound catheter into the blood vessel through a guide catheter;
positioning the ultrasound catheter such that a distal end of the catheter is adjacent the occlusion;
transmitting ultrasound energy to an ultrasound transmission member of the ultrasound catheter to disrupt the occlusion into multiple occlusion fragments;
expanding an expandable balloon coupled with the guide catheter at a location proximal to the distal end of the catheter; and
removing at least some of the occlusion fragments from the blood vessel via the ultrasound catheter. - View Dependent Claims (62)
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63. A method for disrupting an occlusion in a blood vessel, the method comprising:
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positioning an ultrasound catheter in the blood vessel such that a distal end of the catheter is adjacent the occlusion;
transmitting ultrasound energy to an ultrasound transmission member of the ultrasound catheter to disrupt the occlusion into multiple occlusion fragments; and
introducing at least one radiopaque fluid into the blood vessel through at least one aperture in the ultrasound catheter adjacent the distal end to enhance visualization of a location of the distal end. - View Dependent Claims (64, 65, 66)
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Specification