Ekos Corporation

Douglas R Hansmann

Azita Soltani

Curtis Genstler

George W Keilman

Richard R Wilson

Peter R Rule

Robert L Wilcox

Katsuro Tachibana

Natalya Peskin

Raymond Michael Wolniewicz, Iii

Kim R Volz

Thomas O McNamara

James R Anderson

Floyd Brian Karp

Jocelyn Kersten

Cozier Tachibana

Francisco S Villar

Dominic D Vogt

Raymond M Wolniewicz

A catheter system for delivering ultrasonic energy to a treatment site within a body lumen, the catheter comprises a tubular body having a proximal end, a distal end and an energy delivery section positioned between the proximal end and the distal end and a plurality of ultrasound radiating members in the energy delivery section. The plurality of ultrasound radiating members are allocated into electrical groups comprising more than one ultrasound radiating member. Members of one electrical group are spatially interdigitated with members of another electrical group.

Ultrasound system

A catheter control system the system can include a control unit having a first connection port. The control unit can have a first visual indicator associated with the first connection port. The system can also include a first catheter interface connector connected to the first connection port of the control unit. The first catheter interface connector can have a first visual indicator corresponding to the first visual indicator on the control unit. The first visual indicator on the first catheter interface connector can be to be active to indicate that the first catheter interface connector is connected to the first connection port on the control unit.

Catheter system

A method of treating an occlusion at a treatment site within a patient's vasculature comprises providing an ultrasonic catheter. The ultrasonic catheter has a distal region, a proximal region opposite the distal region, a fluid delivery lumen having at least one opening in the distal region, and an ultrasound radiating member positioned within the distal region. The method further comprises positioning the ultrasonic catheter at the treatment site, such that at least a portion of the distal region is within the occlusion. The ultrasonic catheter further comprises passing a therapeutic compound through the fluid delivery lumen such that the therapeutic compound is delivered to the treatment site. The ultrasonic catheter further comprises emitting ultrasonic energy from the ultrasound radiating member. The emitted ultrasonic energy has an amplitude that is periodically varied between a low amplitude and a high amplitude.

Ultrasonic catheter power control

An ultrasound catheter with a lumen for fluid delivery and fluid evacuation, and an ultrasound source is used for the treatment of intracerebral or intraventricular hemorrhages. After the catheter is inserted into a blood clot, a lytic drug can be delivered to the blood clot via the lumen while applying ultrasonic energy to the treatment site. As the blood clot is dissolved, the liquefied blood clot can be removed by evacuation through the lumen.

Method and apparatus for drug delivery to a target site

In one embodiment of the present invention, a method of treating a vascular occlusion located at a treatment site within a patient's vasculature comprises positioning an ultrasound catheter at the treatment site. The method further comprises delivering a microbubble-therapeutic compound from the ultrasound catheter to the vascular occlusion during a first treatment phase.

Treatment of vascular occlusions using ultrasonic energy and microbubbles

A method for treating an occlusion comprises positioning a catheter at a treatment site in a patient's vasculature. A blockage is located at the treatment site. The method further comprises performing a medical treatment at the treatment site. The medical treatment is configured to reduce the blockage. The method further comprises making a plurality of measurements at the treatment site.

Method and apparatus for detecting vascular conditions with a catheter

A central venous catheter comprises an ultrasound assembly. In one arrangement, the radiating member is used to remove a blockage from the central venous catheter. In another arrangement, inserting an ultrasound assembly into a central venous catheter. The ultrasound assembly comprises an ultrasound radiating member mounted on an elongate support structure. The method further comprises positioning the ultrasound assembly within the central venous catheter such that the ultrasound radiating member is adjacent to a deposited material formed on a portion of the central venous catheter. The method further comprises supplying an electrical current to the ultrasound radiating member to expose the deposited material to ultrasonic energy. The method further comprises passing a therapeutic compound through the central venous catheter to expose the deposited material to the therapeutic compound simultaneously with ultrasonic energy.

Ultrasound enhanced central venous catheter

In one embodiment of the present invention, a method of treating a vascular occlusion located at a treatment site within a patient's vasculature comprises positioning an ultrasound catheter at the treatment site. The method further comprises delivering a microbubble therapeutic compound from the ultrasound catheter to the vascular occlusion during a first treatment phase. The method further comprises pausing the delivery of the microbubble therapeutic compound and delivering ultrasonic energy from the ultrasound catheter to the vascular occlusion during a second treatment phase while the delivery of microbubble therapeutic compound remains paused.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a method of treating a vascular occlusion located at a treatment site within a patient's vasculature comprises positioning an ultrasound catheter at the treatment site. The method further comprises delivering a microbubble therapeutic compound from the ultrasound catheter to the vascular occlusion during a first treatment phase. The method further comprises pausing the delivery of the microbubble compound and delivering ultrasonic energy from the ultrasound catheter in combination with other therapeutic compounds to the vascular occlusion during a second treatment phase while the delivery of microbubble therapeutic compound remains paused.

A method for providing a therapeutic effect to a treatment site within a patient's vasculature comprises positioning a catheter at the treatment site. The catheter includes a heating element and a fluid delivery lumen that is coupled to an exit port within a distal region of the catheter. The method further comprises passing the therapeutic compound through the delivery lumen and the exit port at a flow rate. The heated therapeutic compound is provided to the treatment site. The method further comprises exposing at least a portion of the treatment site and at least a portion of the delivered heated therapeutic compound to ultrasonic energy generated by the ultrasound radiating member.

Treatment of vascular occlusions using elevated temperatures

A method for monitoring a clot dissolution treatment in a patient's vasculature comprises positioning a catheter at a treatment site in the patient's vasculature. The method further comprises performing a clot dissolution treatment at the treatment site. The clot dissolution treatment comprises delivering ultrasonic energy and a therapeutic compound from the catheter to the treatment site such that a clot located at the treatment site at least partially dissolves. The method further comprises delivering a thermal measurement signal from a first portion of the catheter to the treatment site during the clot dissolution treatment. The method further comprises receiving the thermal measurement signal at a second portion of the catheter. The method further comprises comparing the delivered thermal measurement signal with the received thermal measurement signal to evaluate a blood flow rate at the treatment site.

Growing community of inventors

Bainbridge Island, WA, United States of America

Douglas R Hansmann