Ultrasound catheter devices and methods
AssigneeFlowcardia, Inc.
InventorsHenry Nita, Jeff Sarge, Simon Nguyen, Richard Spano
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Ultrasound catheter devices and methods provide enhanced disruption of blood vessel obstructions. Generally, ultrasound catheters include an elongate flexible catheter body with one or more lumens, an ultrasound transmission member extending longitudinally through the catheter body lumen and a distal head coupled with the transmission member and positioned adjacent the distal end of the catheter body for disrupting occlusions. Improved features of ultrasound catheters include prevention of independent rotation of the ultrasound transmission member, a safety anchor for the distal head, a one-piece transmission member/distal head and the like.
Claims20
A method for disrupting an occlusion in a blood vessel, the method comprising:
- positioning an ultrasound catheter in the blood vessel such that a distal end of the catheter is adjacent the occlusion;
- transmitting ultrasound energy to an ultrasound transmission member of the ultrasound catheter to disrupt the occlusion into fragments;
- expanding an expandable balloon coupled with the ultrasound catheter at a location proximal to the distal end of the catheter;
- and
- removing at least some of the fragments from the blood vessel via the ultrasound catheter.
A method for disrupting an occlusion in a blood vessel, the method comprising:
- introducing an ultrasound catheter into the blood vessel through a guide catheter;
- positioning the ultrasound catheter such that a distal end of the catheter is adjacent the occlusion;
- transmitting ultrasound energy to an ultrasound transmission member of the ultrasound catheter to disrupt the occlusion into fragments;
- expanding an expandable balloon coupled with the guide catheter at a location proximal to the distal end of the ultrasound catheter;
- and
- removing at least some of the fragments from the blood vessel via the ultrasound catheter.
A method for disrupting an occlusion in a blood vessel, the method comprising:
- positioning an ultrasound catheter in the blood vessel such that a distal end of the catheter is adjacent the occlusion;
- transmitting ultrasound energy to an ultrasound transmission member of the ultrasound catheter to disrupt the occlusion into fragments;
- and
- introducing at least one radiopaque fluid into the blood vessel through at least one aperture in the ultrasound catheter adjacent the distal end to enhance visualization of a location of the distal end.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.