Ultrasound catheter and methods for making and using same
AssigneeFlowcardia, Inc.
InventorsHenry Nita, Jeff Sarge, Simon Nguyen
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, in some embodiments, a guidewire tube extending through the lumen. A distal head for disrupting occlusions is coupled with the distal end of the ultrasound transmission member and is positioned adjacent the distal end of the catheter body. Some embodiments include improved features such as a bend in the catheter body for enhancing positioning and/or advancement of the catheter.
Claims35
A method for treating stenosis or inhibiting restenosis at a treatment location in an artery, comprising:
- enhancing permeability of the vessel wall via the delivery of ultrasound energy to the treatment location;
- and
- delivering a therapeutic agent intravenously into the human body.
A method for treating stenosis or inhibiting restenosis at a treatment location in an artery, comprising:
- enhancing permeability of the vessel wall via the delivery of ultrasound energy to the treatment location, and
- delivering a therapeutic agent together with a contrast agent into the artery to the treatment location.
A method for treating an occlusion in a vessel, comprising:
- enhancing permeability of a wall of the vessel via the delivery of ultrasound energy to a treatment location;
- and
- delivering a medicament intravenously into the vessel at the treatment location.
A method for treating an occluded artery, comprising:
- enhancing permeability of a wall of the artery via the delivery of ultrasound energy to a treatment location, and
- delivering a medicament together with a dye into the artery at the treatment location.
A method for treating an occluded artery, comprising:
- enhancing permeability of a wall of the artery via the delivery of ultrasound energy to a treatment location within the artery;
- and
- delivering a medicament to the treatment location using a catheter having a plurality of lumens.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.