Tuned RF energy for selective treatment of atheroma and other target tissues and/or structures

US7742795B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Minnow Medical, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Corbett W. Stone · Newtown, US
• Michael Hoey · Shoreview, US
• Tom A. Steinke · San Diego, US
• Raphael Michel · Palo Alto, US
• Arthur G. Blanck · Ramona, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 28, 2006
• Grant date: Jun 22, 2010
• Expiry date: May 6, 2026

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B2018/1467
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A catheter and catheter system can use energy tailored for remodeling and/or removal of target material along a body lumen, often of atherosclerotic material of a blood vessel of a patient. An elongate flexible catheter body with a radially expandable structure may have a plurality of electrodes or other electrosurgical energy delivery surfaces to radially engage atherosclerotic material when the structure expands. An atherosclerotic material detector system may measure and/or characterize the atherosclerotic material and its location, optionally using impedance monitoring.