US 6,241,692 B1 · Ultrasonic ablation device and methods for lead extraction

Abstract

An improved lead extraction system using an ultrasonic transducer with a sharp cutting edge that is useful for the extraction and the removal of unwanted lead by a minimal invasive procedure is described. A lead extraction system suitable for ultrasonic ablation of scar tissues surrounding the implanted lead is comprised of an outer catheter sheath and an inner catheter shaft having a distal end, a proximal end and at least one lumen extending therebetween, wherein an optional locking stylet is provided. In one embodiment, the lead extraction system has a fluid infusion and irrigation means at its distal tip section and an ultrasonic transducer for loosening the target scar tissue by applying ultrasonic energy and cooled fluid to the said transducer and its contacted tissue.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A lead extraction system comprising:

a catheter sheath having a sheath distal end, a sheath proximal end, and at least one lumen extending between the sheath distal end and sheath proximal end, wherein there is at least one opening at the sheath distal end;
a handle attached to the sheath proximal end, wherein the handle has a cavity;
a catheter shaft located inside the catheter sheath, the catheter shaft having a shaft distal tip section, a shaft distal end, a shaft proximal and at least one lumen extending between the shaft distal end and shaft proximal end, wherein at least one ultrasonic transducer is disposed at the shaft distal end of said catheter shaft, the transducer having a transducer proximal end and a transducer proximal end, wherein there is at least one opening at the transducer distal end;
and
a deployment means for the shaft distal tip section of said catheter shaft, wherein the deployment means has a deployed state and a non-deployed state for the catheter shaft, and wherein the proximal end of said catheter shaft is secured to the deployment means.

2 more elements

A method for operating a lead extraction system for removing a lead out of a patient, the lead extraction system comprising a catheter sheath having a sheath distal end, a sheath proximal end, and at least one lumen extending between the sheath distal end and sheath proximal end, wherein there is at least one opening at the sheath distal end;

a handle attached to the proximal end of the catheter sheath, wherein the handle has a cavity;
a catheter shaft located inside the catheter sheath, the catheter shaft having a shaft distal tip section, a shaft distal end, a shaft proximal end and at least one lumen extending between the shaft distal end and shaft proximal end, wherein at least one ultrasonic transducer is disposed at the shaft distal end of said catheter shaft, and wherein there is at least one opening at the shaft distal end;
and a deployment means for the shaft distal tip section of said catheter shaft, wherein the deployment means has a deployed state and a non-deployed state for the catheter shaft, and wherein the proximal end of said catheter shaft is secured to the deployment means, and an ultrasonic current generator;
the method comprising the steps of:
(a) sliding the lead extraction system over an existing lead in a patient, wherein said lead is surrounded by a scar tissue;
(b) intimately contacting the shaft distal end of the catheter shaft with the scar tissue;
(c) deploying the catheter shaft containing an ultrasonic transducer at its distal end;
(d) applying an ultrasonic current to the ultrasonic transducer;
and
(e) extracting the lead by pulling the lead extraction system out of a patient.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Ultrasonic ablation device and methods for lead extraction

Life of this patent

Ultrasonic ablation device and methods for lead extraction

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20