Ultrasonic angioplasty balloon catheter
First Claim
1. An angioplasty balloon catheter suitable for use in openings a stenosis in a vascular vessel, said catheter having an inflation lumen which connects with an inflatable balloon fabricated at least partially from a polymeric material having piezoelectric properties, and a means of delivering ultrasonic energy to the inflatable balloon via an ultrasonic electrical excitation signal whereby the inflatable balloon can be excited into ultrasonic vibratory states capable of opening the stenosis in the vascular vessel when the excited and vibrating inflatable balloon is in contact with the stenosis.
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Abstract
An angioplasty balloon catheter particularly adapted for ablation of a stenosis in vivo has a balloon which may be inflated with a conductive contrast fluid injected proximally to the balloon, and is furthermore metalized on the outside of the balloon and catheter shaft. The balloon has piezoelectric properties, and may be excited by application of an ultrasonic signal across the balloon between the metalized surface and the contrast fluid. The catheter is guided by a centrally located guide wire to the site of the stenosis. If the distal tip of the catheter shaft cannot pass through the stenosis, excitation of the piezoelectric balloon in a deflated state at the site of the stenosis causes ultrasonic hammering vibrations at the tip of the catheter shaft which ablate the stenosis. After the tip of the catheter has hammered its way across the stenosis, and while maintaining the ultrasonic excitation signal, the balloon is inflated to keep the vibrating balloon surface in contact with the stenosis. Unlike the case with other inflatable balloon catheters which simply press the stenosis against the blood vessel wall, the stenosis is broken up by ultrasonic vibrations and is carried away by the blood flow, minimizing the risk of re-stenosis.
484 Citations
29 Claims
- 1. An angioplasty balloon catheter suitable for use in openings a stenosis in a vascular vessel, said catheter having an inflation lumen which connects with an inflatable balloon fabricated at least partially from a polymeric material having piezoelectric properties, and a means of delivering ultrasonic energy to the inflatable balloon via an ultrasonic electrical excitation signal whereby the inflatable balloon can be excited into ultrasonic vibratory states capable of opening the stenosis in the vascular vessel when the excited and vibrating inflatable balloon is in contact with the stenosis.
- 12. A catheter according to claim 12, wherein the layer of the conductive metal forming the outer surface of the catheter is silver or gold.
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14. An angioplasty balloon catheter suitable for use in opening a stenosis in a human blood vessel, said catheter comprising:
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a flexible catheter shaft having at least two lumens, including a first lumen for accommodating a guide wire and a second lumen for transporting a conductive fluid, and having a proximal end and a distal end for insertion into the human blood vessel containing the stenosis, an inflatable balloon fabricated at least partially from a polymeric material having piezoelectric properties, located at the distal end of the shaft, and attached so as to seal the second lumen at the proximal end of the catheter shaft, such that the balloon is disposed to inflate with conductive fluid transported into the second lumen, and a continuous layer of a conductive metal forming an outer surface of catheter, including the balloon, whereby the balloon can be excited into ultrasonic vibratory states capable of opening the stenosis in the human blood vessel when the excited and vibrating balloon is in contact with the stenosis. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification