# US 12,004,760 B2 · Catheter with shock wave electrodes aligned on longitudinal axis

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- Number: US 12,004,760 B2
- Document ID: US12004760B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/061,278
- Filed: 2022-12-02
- Published: 2023-04-13
- Granted: 2024-06-11
- Earliest claimed: 2009-07-08
- Assignees: Sanuwave, Inc.
- Applicants: Sanuwave, Inc.
- Inventors: Iulian Cioanta
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12004760B2

## 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, wherein the catheter includes a distal end inserted into the blood vessel;
a balloon including a liquid inlet coupled to the catheter;
first and second electrodes coupled to the catheter within the balloon and aligned on a longitudinal axis along the length of the catheter, wherein the electrodes upon electrical discharge produce an unfocused radial pressure shock wave that propagates away from the longitudinal axis, and wherein one or both of the first and second electrodes do not intersect outward propagation of the unfocused radial pressure shock wave in a direction from the longitudinal axis of the catheter to the wall of the blood vessel;
a first radiopaque marker coupled to the catheter at a proximal end of the balloon and a second radiopaque marker coupled to the catheter at an opposite distal end of the balloon; and
the first and second electrodes positioned within the balloon between the first radiopaque marker and the second radiopaque marker.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein one of the first and second electrodes is a sphere.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The apparatus of claim 2, wherein one of the first and second electrodes is an electrical wire.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the liquid includes degassed water, saline or saline and contrast mixture.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the balloon further includes a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The apparatus of claim 5, wherein each of the liquid inlet and liquid outlet include a lumen.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a plurality of liquid inlets.

### Claim 8 (depends on 2)

The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first and second electrodes include an electrical connection to a voltage source.

### Claim 9

An apparatus comprising:
a catheter sized to fit within a blood vessel, wherein the catheter includes a distal end tip inserted into the blood vessel;
first and second electrodes within a balloon coupled to the catheter, wherein the balloon includes liquid, and wherein the electrodes are aligned to generate a shock wave that propagates perpendicular to a longitudinal axis along the length of the catheter, and wherein the electrodes are configured to electrically produce an unfocused radial pressure shock wave in the liquid of the balloon, and wherein the unfocused radial pressure shock wave propagates away from the longitudinal axis of the catheter to a wall of the blood vessel free of intersection by one or both of the first and second electrodes;
a first radiopaque band coupled to the catheter that visually indicates a proximal end of the balloon and a second radiopaque band coupled to the catheter that visually indicates an opposite distal end of the balloon; and
the first and second electrodes positioned within the balloon between the first and second radiopaque bands.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The apparatus of claim 9, wherein one of the first and second electrodes is a sphere.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The apparatus of claim 10, wherein one of the first and second electrodes is an electrical wire.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the liquid includes degassed water, saline or saline and contrast mixture.

### Claim 13 (depends on 9)

The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the catheter includes both a liquid inlet and liquid outlet.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The apparatus of claim 13, wherein each of the liquid inlet and liquid outlet include a lumen.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a plurality of liquid inlets.

### Claim 16 (depends on 9)

A method of treating a target area of a blood vessel wall comprising delivering radial pressure shock waves with the apparatus of claim 9 to the target area.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16, further comprising delivering the radial pressure shock waves without reflections from a shock waves reflector.

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

A method of treating a target area of a blood vessel wall comprising delivering radial pressure shock waves with the apparatus of claim 1 to the target area.

### Claim 19 (depends on 1)

A method of treating a blood vessel wall with the apparatus of claim 1, further comprising providing liquid into the balloon after aligning the catheter and first and second electrodes at a desired position relative to the target area with guidance by the first and second radiopaque markers and removing liquid from the balloon after delivering unfocused radial pressure shock waves to the target area.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The method of claim 19, wherein the distal end tip of the catheter is closed.

### Claim 21 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the distal end tip of the catheter is closed.

### Claim 22 (depends on 9)

The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the tip of the catheter is closed.

### Claim 23 (depends on 9)

A method of treating a blood vessel wall with the apparatus of claim 9, further comprising providing liquid into the balloon after aligning the catheter and first and second electrodes at a desired position relative to the target area with guidance by the first and second radiopaque bands and removing liquid from the balloon after delivering unfocused radial pressure shock waves to the target area.

### Claim 24 (depends on 23)

The method of claim 23, wherein the distal end tip of the catheter is closed.