Methods, systems and devices for generating pressure waves in intravascular lithotripsy
AssigneeCardiovascular Systems, Inc.
InventorsSam Batchelder, John R. Ballard, Robert D'Agostino, Michael P. Brenzel, Jason W. Staab
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Abstract
Various embodiments of the systems, methods and devices are provided for breaking up calcified lesions in an anatomical conduit. More specifically, an electrical arc is generated between two spaced-apart electrodes disposed within a fluid-filled balloon, creating a subsonic pressure wave. In some embodiments, the electrodes comprise a plurality of points that allow the electrical arc to form at any one of the plurality of points to, among other things, extend the electrode life.
Claims9
A method for monitoring progress of an intravascular balloon lithotripsy procedure that directs energy toward a lesion comprising at least one calcified region and located within a blood vessel, the method comprising:
- providing an elongate member, a fluid inflatable balloon surrounding a portion of the elongate member, and at least one pair of spaced-apart electrodes located along the elongate member and within an interior of the fluid inflatable balloon, the at least one pair of spaced-apart electrodes defining at least one spark gap;
- providing a voltage pulse generator operatively connected with the at least one spaced-apart electrode pair;
- providing a controller in operative communication with the voltage pulse generator and comprising a processor and a memory, the processor configured to execute programmed instructions;
- initiating a plurality of voltage pulses with the voltage pulse generator;
- positioning the fluid inflatable balloon proximate the lesion and inflating the fluid inflatable balloon with fluid to a predetermined pressure, wherein the fluid comprises a resistance and/or an impedance;
- applying an initiated voltage pulse of the plurality of voltage pulses to each one of the at least one spaced-apart electrode pairs;
- generating a plurality of electrical arcs between the electrodes of each one of the at least one pair of spaced-apart electrodes;
- monitoring the resistance and/or impedance of the fluid within the fluid inflatable balloon and measuring a change in the resistance and/or impedance of the fluid before the generating of the plurality of electrical arcs;
- and
- measuring the change in resistance and/or impedance of the fluid during the generating of the plurality of electrical arcs,
- wherein the measured change in resistance and/or impedance of the fluid corresponds with an expansion of the fluid inflatable balloon.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.