Ultrasonic angioplasty balloon catheter
US5609606A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 7, 1995 |
| Grant date | Mar 11, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 7, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2025/1075
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An angioplasty balloon catheter particularly adapted for ablation of a stenosis in vivo has a balloon which may be inflated with a conductive contrast fluid injected proximally to the balloon, and is furthermore metalized on the outside of the balloon and catheter shaft. The balloon has piezoelectric properties, and may be excited by application of an ultrasonic signal across the balloon between the metalized surface and the contrast fluid. The catheter is guided by a centrally located guide wire to the site of the stenosis. If the distal tip of the catheter shaft cannot pass through the stenosis, excitation of the piezoelectric balloon in a deflated state at the site of the stenosis causes ultrasonic hammering vibrations at the tip of the catheter shaft which ablate the stenosis. After the tip of the catheter has hammered its way across the stenosis, and while maintaining the ultrasonic excitation signal, the balloon is inflated to keep the vibrating balloon surface in contact with the stenosis. Unlike the case with other inflatable balloon catheters which simply press the stenosis against the blood vessel wall, the stenosis is broken up by ultrasonic vibrations and is carried awa…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.