Intravascular lithotripsy systems, devices and methods
AssigneeCardiovascular Systems, Inc.
InventorsJ. Samuel Batchelder, John R. Ballard, Robert D'Agostino, Michael P. Brenzel, Jacob 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 or extensions that allow the electrical arc to form at any one of the plurality of points to, among other things, extend the electrode life.
Claims14
A method for delivering pressure waves to a calcified lesion comprising:
- advancing a catheter to a calcified lesion, wherein the catheter is in operative and electrical communication and connection with a voltage pulse generator, the method comprising:
- providing an elongated carrier;
- providing an inflatable balloon disposed near a distal end of the elongated carrier, and configured to be inflated with a fluid;
- providing a pair of spaced-apart of electrodes operatively associated with the elongated carrier and within the inflatable balloon, wherein a distance between the spaced-apart pair of electrodes comprises a spark gap;
- providing a processor operatively connected to the voltage pulse generator and comprising programmed instructions configured to control and operate the voltage pulse generator, the processor in operative communication with a voltage monitor and a current monitor;
- actuating the voltage pulse generator to apply at least one voltage pulse with a voltage magnitude to the pair of spaced-apart electrodes to cause current to flow across the spark gap;
- monitoring a voltage applied by the voltage pulse generator for each of the at least one voltage pulses;
- and
- determining the voltage magnitude to be applied to the pair of spaced-apart electrodes for a subsequent voltage pulse based on the monitored voltage.
A method for delivering pressure waves to a calcified lesion comprising:
- advancing a catheter to a calcified lesion, wherein the catheter is in operative and electrical communication and connection with a voltage pulse generator;
- providing the catheter with an elongated carrier;
- providing the catheter with an inflatable balloon disposed near a distal end of the elongated catheter, and configured to be inflated with a fluid;
- providing a pair of spaced-apart of electrodes operatively connected with the elongate carrier and within the inflatable balloon, wherein a distance between the spaced-apart pair of electrodes comprises a spark gap;
- providing a processor operatively connected to the voltage pulse generator and comprising programmed instructions configured to control and operate the voltage pulse generator, the processor in operative communication with a voltage monitor and a current monitor;
- actuating the voltage pulse generator to apply at least one voltage pulse with a voltage magnitude to the pair of spaced-apart electrodes to cause a current to flow across the spark gap;
- monitoring the current flowing between the pair of spaced apart electrodes for each of the at least one voltage pulses;
- and
- determining the voltage magnitude to be applied to the pair of spaced-apart electrodes for a subsequent voltage pulse based on the monitored current.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.