US5967984A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ultrasound imaging catheter with a cutting element
Assignee: Boston Scientific Corp
•
Filing: 1996-11-27
•
Granted: 1999-10-19
•
Expires: 2016-11-27
Abstract
Abstract The invention features a catheter having a catheter body of extended length for insertion within a body of a living being. The catheter also includes an ultrasound imaging device disposed within a distal portion of the catheter body. The ultrasound imaging device generates electrical signals used by an ultrasound imaging system to display a real-time image of tissue surrounding the distal portion of the catheter. The catheter further includes a cutting element, e.g., an electrode wire or a laser fiber, having a proximal portion disposed within the catheter body. The catheter also includes a mechanism connected to the catheter body that causes the distal portion of the cutting element to extend from the catheter body. The distal portion of the cutting element generates energy in tissue with which it is brought in proximity to form a cut in the tissue. The ultrasound imaging device is positioned relative to the cutting element such that the real-time image produced by the ultrasound imaging system can include the cutting element in relation to the tissue.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael S. H. Chu
- 👤 Yem Chin
- 👤 Demetrius H. Bagley
- 👤 William H. Stahley
- 👤 David K. Young
- 👤 Christopher G. Fishbein
- 👤 George G. Brusard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 22:04
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/18; A61B18/20; A61B18/22; A61B18/24; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1492; A61B8/00; A61B8/12; A61B8/44; A61B8/4444; A61B8/445; A61B17/00; A61B2017/00831; A61B2017/00902; A61B2017/00924; A61B17/22; A61B2017/22051; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00214; A61B2018/00273; A61B2018/00279; A61B2018/00285; A61B2018/00315; A61B2018/00345; A61B2018/00404; A61B2018/00422; A61B2018/1405; A61B2018/144; A61B2018/1475; A61B90/00; A61B90/36; A61B90/37; A61B2090/378; A61B2090/3782; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/10; A61M25/104
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 68
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A catheter adapted to treat a vessel stricture, comprising: a catheter body of extended length constructed to be inserted within a body of a living being; an ultrasound imaging device disposed within a distal portion of said catheter body, said ultrasound imaging device being constructed to generate acoustic energy, to receive reflections of said acoustic energy, and to generate electrical signals in response thereto for use by an ultrasound imaging system constructed to display a real-time image, produced by said ultrasound imaging device, of tissue surrounding said distal portion of said catheter; and a cutting element comprising an electrode wire carried by said catheter body and being constructed to form a cut in said tissue, said ultrasound imaging device and said electrode wire adapted so that said real-time image includes said electrode wire in relation to said tissue.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
A catheter adapted to treat a vessel stricture, comprising: a catheter body of extended length constructed to be inserted within a body of a living being; an ultrasound imaging device disposed within a distal portion of said catheter body, said ultrasound imaging device being constructed to generate acoustic energy, to receive reflections of said acoustic energy, and to generate electrical signals in response thereto for use by an ultrasound imaging system constructed to display a real-time image, produced by said ultrasound imaging device, of tissue surrounding said distal portion of said catheter; and a cutting element comprising an electrode wire carried by said catheter body and being constructed to form a cut in said tissue, said ultrasound imaging device and said electrode wire adapted so that said real-time image includes said electrode wire in relation to said tissue.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The catheter of claim 1, further comprising a mechanism, connected to said catheter body and constructed to cause said cutting element to extend from said catheter body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The catheter of claim 2, wherein said mechanism is a dilatation balloon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The catheter of claim 3, wherein said mechanism further includes a syringe for inflating said dilatation balloon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The catheter of claim 3, wherein said dilatation balloon is a mesh dilatation balloon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The catheter of claim 5, wherein catheter body includes an inner catheter body and an outer catheter body and wherein said mechanism further includes a handle for moving said outer catheter body relative to said inner catheter body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The catheter of claim 2, wherein said mechanism is constructed to advance said catheter body relative to a proximal portion of said cutting element and to cause a distal portion of said catheter body to bend.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The catheter of claim 2, wherein said mechanism is an axial translation device coupled to a proximal portion of said cutting element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The catheter of claim 8, wherein said mechanism further includes: a hypo tube disposed in a lumen in said catheter body, wherein said hypo tube directs said cutting element outside said catheter body.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The catheter of claim 9, wherein said hypo tube further directs said cutting element outwardly away from said catheter body.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The catheter of claim 8, wherein said mechanism further includes: a ramp disposed in a lumen in said catheter body, wherein said ramp directs said cutting element outside said catheter body.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The catheter of claim 11, wherein said ramp further directs said cutting element outwardly away from said catheter body.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The catheter of claim 1, wherein said cutting element includes a distal portion and said distal portion of said cutting element is pre-curved.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
The catheter of claim 1, wherein said cutting element includes a distal portion and said catheter body includes: a slot along which said distal portion of said cutting element is translated, wherein said cut is a linear cut.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The catheter of claim 1, wherein the catheter is adapted to remove a vessel stricture having a calcified region.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The catheter of claim 1, wherein said ultrasound imaging device is an ultrasound imaging transducer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
68 words
The catheter of claim 1, further comprising a motor coupler for coupling a drive shaft of said ultrasound imaging device to a motor, said motor being capable of rotating said drive shaft 360°, wherein rotation of said drive shaft rotates a transducer of said ultrasound imaging device such that said image is a 360° cross-section of a portion of said body of said living being surrounding said transducer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
55 words
The catheter of claim 1, wherein said cutting element includes a distal portion and said catheter body includes a stiff proximal portion having good torque transfer characteristics, a distal portion, and a sonolucent mid portion connected between said proximal portion and said distal portion and located adjacent to said distal portion of said cutting element.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The catheter of claim 18, wherein said stiff proximal portion includes a layer of braided polymer between two layers of polyethylene.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The catheter of claim 18, wherein said mid portion includes a layer of polyethylene.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
The catheter of claim 1, wherein said catheter comprises a shaft having an axis and said cutting element is oriented longitudinal to the axis of the catheter shaft.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The catheter of claim 1, wherein said cutting element is adapted to provide a cut which is radially outward from said catheter body.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
160 words
A catheter adapted to treat a vessel stricture, comprising: a catheter body of extended length constructed to be inserted within a body of a living being; an ultrasound imaging device disposed within a distal portion of said catheter body, said ultrasound imaging device being constructed to generate acoustic energy, to receive reflections of said acoustic energy, and to generate electrical signals in response thereto for use by an ultrasound imaging system constructed to display a real-time image, produced by said ultrasound imaging device, of tissue surrounding said distal portion of said catheter; a cutting element comprising an electrode wire carried by said catheter body and being constructed to form a cut in said tissue; a mechanism connected to said catheter body and constructed to cause said cutting element to extend outwardly away from said catheter body; and said ultrasound imaging device and said electrode wire adapted so that said real-time image includes said electrode wire in relation to said tissue.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
160 words
A catheter adapted to treat a vessel stricture, comprising: a catheter body of extended length constructed to be inserted within a body of a living being; an ultrasound imaging device disposed within a distal portion of said catheter body, said ultrasound imaging device being constructed to generate acoustic energy, to receive reflections of said acoustic energy, and to generate electrical signals in response thereto for use by an ultrasound imaging system constructed to display a real-time image, produced by said ultrasound imaging device, of tissue surrounding said distal portion of said catheter; a cutting element comprising an electrode wire carried by said catheter body and being constructed to form a cut in said tissue; a mechanism connected to said catheter body and constructed to cause said cutting element to extend outwardly away from said catheter body; and said ultrasound imaging device and said electrode wire adapted so that said real-time image includes said electrode wire in relation to said tissue.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
32 words
The catheter of claim 23, wherein said electrode wire is constructed to generate electric current in tissue in proximity to said electrode wire, said electric current being sufficient to form said cut.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
12 words
The catheter of claim 23, wherein said mechanism is a dilatation balloon.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
17 words
The catheter of claim 25, wherein said mechanism further includes a syringe for inflating said dilatation balloon.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
14 words
The catheter of claim 26, wherein said dilatation balloon is a mesh dilatation balloon.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
38 words
The catheter of claim 27, wherein said catheter body includes an inner catheter body and an outer catheter body and wherein said mechanism further includes a handle for moving said,outer catheter body relative to said inner catheter body.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
36 words
The catheter of claim 23, wherein said mechanism is constructed to advance said catheter body relative to a proximal portion of said cutting element and to cause a distal portion of said catheter body to bend.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
22 words
The catheter of claim 23, wherein said mechanism is an axial translation device coupled to a proximal portion of said cutting element.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
33 words
The catheter of claim 30, wherein said mechanism further includes: a hypo tube disposed in a lumen in said catheter body, wherein said hypo tube directs said cutting element outside said catheter body.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
31 words
The catheter of claim 30, wherein said mechanism further includes: a ramp disposed in a lumen in said catheter body, wherein said ramp directs said cutting element outside said catheter body.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
25 words
The catheter of claim 23, wherein said mechanism is adapted to allow a linear cut to be formed in the tissue with said cutting element.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
26 words
The catheter of claim 23, wherein said mechanism is is adapted to allow a circular cut to be formed in the tissue with said cutting element.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
28 words
The catheter of claim 23, wherein said mechanism is is adapted to allow a depth of a cut in the tissue to be increased with said cutting element.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
215 words
A catheter adapted to treat a vessel stricture, comprising: a catheter body of extended length constructed to be inserted within a body of a living being; an ultrasound imaging device disposed within a distal portion of said catheter body, the distal portion including a sonolucent portion circumferentially surrounding the ultrasound imaging device, said ultrasound imaging device being constructed to generate acoustic energy for transfer through the sonolucent portion, to receive reflections of said acoustic energy through the sonolucent portion, and to generate electrical signals in response thereto for use by an ultrasound imaging system constructed to display a real-time image, produced by said ultrasound imaging device, of tissue surrounding said distal portion of said catheter; a cutting element comprising an electrode wire carried by said catheter body and being constructed to form a cut in said tissue; a mechanism connected to said catheter body and constructed to bring said cutting element into proximity with said tissue to form said cut in said tissue without adjustment of the position of said catheter body within said body of said living being or the position of said ultrasound imaging device within said catheter body; and said ultrasound imaging device and said electrode wire adapted so that said real-time image includes said electrode wire in relation to said tissue.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
215 words
A catheter adapted to treat a vessel stricture, comprising: a catheter body of extended length constructed to be inserted within a body of a living being; an ultrasound imaging device disposed within a distal portion of said catheter body, the distal portion including a sonolucent portion circumferentially surrounding the ultrasound imaging device, said ultrasound imaging device being constructed to generate acoustic energy for transfer through the sonolucent portion, to receive reflections of said acoustic energy through the sonolucent portion, and to generate electrical signals in response thereto for use by an ultrasound imaging system constructed to display a real-time image, produced by said ultrasound imaging device, of tissue surrounding said distal portion of said catheter; a cutting element comprising an electrode wire carried by said catheter body and being constructed to form a cut in said tissue; a mechanism connected to said catheter body and constructed to bring said cutting element into proximity with said tissue to form said cut in said tissue without adjustment of the position of said catheter body within said body of said living being or the position of said ultrasound imaging device within said catheter body; and said ultrasound imaging device and said electrode wire adapted so that said real-time image includes said electrode wire in relation to said tissue.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
12 words
The catheter of claim 36, wherein said mechanism is a dilatation balloon.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
17 words
The catheter of claim 37, wherein said mechanism further includes a syringe for inflating said dilatation balloon.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
14 words
The catheter of claim 38, wherein said dilatation balloon is a mesh dilatation balloon.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
38 words
The catheter of claim 39, wherein catheter body includes an inner catheter body and an outer catheter body and wherein said mechanism further includes a handle for moving said outer catheter body relative to said inner catheter body.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
36 words
The catheter of claim 36, wherein said mechanism is constructed to advance said catheter body relative to a proximal portion of said cutting element and to cause a distal portion of said catheter body to bend.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
22 words
The catheter of claim 36, wherein said mechanism is an axial translation device coupled to a proximal portion of said cutting element.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
33 words
The catheter of claim 42, wherein said mechanism further includes: a hypo tube disposed in a lumen in said catheter body, wherein said hypo tube directs said cutting element outside said catheter body.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
31 words
The catheter of claim 42, wherein said mechanism further includes: a ramp disposed in a lumen in said catheter body, wherein said ramp directs said cutting element outside said catheter body.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
26 words
The catheter of claim 36, wherein said mechanism is is adapted to allow a linear cut to be formed in the tissue with said cutting element.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
26 words
The catheter of claim 36, wherein said mechanism is is adapted to allow a circular cut to be formed in the tissue with said cutting element.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
27 words
The catheter of claim 36, wherein said mechanism is adapted to allow a depth of a cut in the tissue to be increased with said cutting element.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
169 words
A catheter adapted to treat a vessel stricture, comprising: catheter body of extended length constructed to be inserted within a body of a living being, an ultrasound imaging device disposed within a distal portion of said catheter body, said ultrasound imaging device being constructed to generate acoustic energy, to receive reflections of said acoustic energy, and to generate electrical signals in response thereto for use by an ultrasound imaging system constructed to display a real-time image, produced by said ultrasound imaging device, of tissue surrounding said distal portion of said catheter, a cutting element carried by said catheter body and being constructed to form a cut in said tissue, and an axial translation device mechanically coupled with said ultrasound imaging device to permit longitudinal movement of said ultrasound imaging device with respect to said catheter body, and thereby to permit relative movement between said ultrasound imaging device and said distal portion of said cutting element so that said imaging device images said cutting element as well as said stricture.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
169 words
A catheter adapted to treat a vessel stricture, comprising: catheter body of extended length constructed to be inserted within a body of a living being, an ultrasound imaging device disposed within a distal portion of said catheter body, said ultrasound imaging device being constructed to generate acoustic energy, to receive reflections of said acoustic energy, and to generate electrical signals in response thereto for use by an ultrasound imaging system constructed to display a real-time image, produced by said ultrasound imaging device, of tissue surrounding said distal portion of said catheter, a cutting element carried by said catheter body and being constructed to form a cut in said tissue, and an axial translation device mechanically coupled with said ultrasound imaging device to permit longitudinal movement of said ultrasound imaging device with respect to said catheter body, and thereby to permit relative movement between said ultrasound imaging device and said distal portion of said cutting element so that said imaging device images said cutting element as well as said stricture.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
13 words
The catheter of claim 48, wherein said cutting element is an electrode wire.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
13 words
The catheter of claim 48, wherein said cutting element is a laser fiber.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
60 words
The catheter of claim 48, further comprising a computer arranged to store images produced by said ultrasound imaging device as said ultrasound imaging device is moved along the length of the catheter body, said computer being capable of compiling the stored images into a three-dimensional image of said tissue surrounding the catheter body along the axial length of transducer travel.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
62 words
The catheter of claim 48, further comprising a computer arranged to store images produced by said ultrasound imaging device as said ultrasound imaging device is moved along the length of the catheter body, said computer being capable of compiling the stored images into a series of two-dimensional images of said tissue surrounding the catheter body along the axial length of transducer travel.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
12 words
The catheter of claim 48, wherein said image is a sonographic image.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
12 words
The catheter of claim 48, wherein said image is a monographic image.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
56 words
The catheter of claim 1, further including a dilatation balloon that is adapted to be expanded to cause vessel fluids in the area of the balloon to be displaced so as to create an essentially dry zone in the vessel, the electrode wire including an exposed conductive portion adapted to be located in the dry zone.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
27 words
The catheter of claim 55, wherein the dilatation balloon includes a diameter sized to be at least as large as the diameter of the vessel when expanded.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
21 words
The catheter of claim 55, wherein said electrode is adapted to cut tissue at a low power in the dry zone.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
24 words
The catheter of claim 57, wherein said electrode is adapted to cut tissue in the dry zone at a power of about 50 watts.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
19 words
The catheter of claim 55, wherein the electrode wire terminates in a distal tip including the exposed conductive portion.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
22 words
The catheter of claim 59, wherein the catheter carries a guide wire, the electrode adapted to be carried by the guide wire.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
16 words
The catheter of claim 59, wherein the electrode wire includes stabilizer wings near the distal tip.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
23 words
The catheter of claim 55, wherein the balloon includes a sleeve made of a sonolucent insulative material that the electrode wire extends through.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
12 words
The catheter of claim 62, wherein the sleeve is made of silicone.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
39 words
The catheter of claim 1, further including a half balloon located on one side of the distal portion of the catheter body and the electrode wire located on an opposite side of the distal portion of the catheter body.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4763662A
Cited
US4841977A
Cited
US5588432A
Cited
US4951677A
Cited
US5628746A
Cited
US5029588A
Cited
US5109859A
Cited
US5100424A
Cited
US5254112A
Cited
US5167233A
Cited
US5345940A
Cited
US5255679A
Cited
US5485846A
Cited
US5383460A
Cited
US5601539A
Cited
US5687723A
Cited
US5609151A
Cited
US5603731A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-10-18 | 2003-04-19 | 2003-10-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-10-18 | 2007-04-19 | 2007-10-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-10-18 | 2011-04-19 | 2011-10-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |