# US 12,004,759 B2 · Catheter with shock wave electrodes aligned on longitudinal axis

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- Number: US 12,004,759 B2
- Document ID: US12004759B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/937,446
- Filed: 2022-10-01
- Published: 2023-01-26
- Granted: 2024-06-11
- Earliest claimed: 2009-07-08
- Assignees: Sanuwave, Inc.
- Applicants: Sanuwave, Inc.
- Inventors: Iulian Cioanta
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12004759B2

## CPC

- A61B 17/22012: {in direct contact with, or very close to, the obstruction or concrement (for removing obstructions in blood vessels by laser A61B18/245)}
- A61B 17/22004: {using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic shock waves (A61B17/225 takes precedence)}
- A61B 17/2202: {the ultrasound transducer being inside patient's body at the distal end of the catheter}
- A61B 17/22022: {using electric discharge}
- A61B 17/22029: {Means for measuring shock waves}
- A61B 17/225: for extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy [ESWL], e.g. by using ultrasonic waves
- A61B 18/245: {for removing obstructions in blood vessels or calculi}
- A61B 18/26: for producing a shock wave, e.g. laser lithotripsy
- A61H 9/0057: {Suction (suction kneading A61H7/008)}
- A61H 23/008: {using shock waves}
- G10K 11/28: using reflection, e.g. parabolic reflectors
- A61B 17/22: Implements for squeezing-off ulcers or the like on inner organs of the body; Implements for scraping-out cavities of body organs, e.g. bones; for invasive removal or destruction of calculus using mechanical vibrations; for removing obstructions in blood vessels, not otherwise provided for
- A61B 17/2255: {Means for positioning patient, shock wave apparatus or locating means, e.g. mechanical aspects, patient beds, support arms or aiming means}
- A61B 2017/00867: {shape memory effect}
- A61B 2017/22014: {the ultrasound transducer being outside patient's body; with an ultrasound transmission member; with a wave guide; with a vibrated guide wire}
- A61B 2017/22024: {with a part reflecting mechanical vibrations, e.g. for focusing}
- A61B 2017/22025: {applying a shock wave (A61B2017/22091 takes precedence)}
- A61B 2017/22039: {eccentric}
- A61B 2017/22051: {with an inflatable part, e.g. balloon, for positioning, blocking, or immobilisation (A61B2017/22048, A61B2017/3486 take precedence)}
- A61B 2017/22054: {with two balloons}
- A61B 2017/22067: {Blocking; Occlusion (A61B2017/22054 takes precedence)}
- A61B 2017/22079: {with suction of debris}
- A61B 2017/22082: {after introduction of a substance}
- A61B 2017/22084: {stone- or thrombus-dissolving}
- A61B 2017/2212: {having a closed distal end, e.g. a loop}
- A61B 2017/2253: {using a coupling gel or liquid}
- A61H 2201/14: Special force transmission means, i.e. between the driving means and the interface with the user
- A61H 2201/1664: linear
- A61N 2007/0008: {Destruction of fat cells}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- A61H: PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY (electrotherapy, magnetotherapy, radiation therapy or ultrasound therapy A61N)
- G10K: SOUND-PRODUCING DEVICES; METHODS OR DEVICES FOR PROTECTING AGAINST, OR FOR DAMPING, NOISE OR OTHER ACOUSTIC WAVES IN GENERAL; ACOUSTICS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B)

## Abstract

A catheter that fits within a blood vessel wall includes electrodes aligned along a longitudinal axis of the catheter that produce unfocused shock waves that propagate radially toward the blood vessel wall for treatment.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An apparatus comprising:
a catheter sized to fit within a wall of a blood vessel;
a balloon including a liquid inlet coupled to the catheter, wherein the catheter includes a distal end closed tip that is distal to the balloon, and
first and second electrodes within the balloon aligned on a longitudinal axis along the length of the catheter, wherein the electrodes upon electrical discharge produce unfocused radial pressure shock waves in liquid of the balloon, and wherein one or both of the first and second electrodes do not intersect outward propagation of the unfocused radial pressure shock waves in a direction from the longitudinal axis of the catheter to the wall of the blood vessel.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the distal end closed tip includes radiopaque material.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the electrodes are positioned to generate the shock waves from discharges within the inner construction of the catheter.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electrodes are positioned to generate the shock waves from discharges within the inner construction of the catheter.

### Claim 5

An apparatus comprising:
a catheter sized to fit within a blood vessel wall;
first and second electrodes within a balloon coupled to the catheter, wherein the balloon includes liquid, wherein the catheter includes a distal end closed tip that is distal to the balloon and the distal end closed tip includes radiopaque material; and
the electrodes aligned on a longitudinal axis along the length of the catheter, wherein the electrodes are configured to electrically produce unfocused radial pressure shock waves in the liquid of the balloon, and wherein the unfocused radial pressure shock waves propagate from the longitudinal axis of the catheter to the blood vessel wall free of intersection by one or both of the first and second electrodes, wherein the electrodes are positioned to generate the shock waves from discharge within the inner construction of the catheter.

### Claim 6

An apparatus comprising:
a catheter sized to fit within a blood vessel wall;
first and second electrodes within a balloon coupled to the catheter, wherein the balloon includes liquid, wherein the catheter includes a distal end closed tip that is distal to the balloon; and
the electrodes aligned on a longitudinal axis along the length of the catheter, wherein the electrodes are configured to electrically produce unfocused radial pressure shock waves in the liquid of the balloon, and wherein the unfocused radial pressure shock waves propagate from the longitudinal axis of the catheter to the blood vessel wall free of intersection by one or both of the first and second electrodes, wherein the electrodes are positioned to generate the shock waves from discharge within the inner construction of the catheter.