Ekos Corporation

Richard R Wilson

George W Keilman

Tim Abrahamson

Leonard R Oliver

Curtis Genstler

Wm Gerrit Barrere

Robert L Wilcox

Natalya Peskin

Amy Cohen

Douglas R Hansmann

Azita Soltani

Frederick Jay Bennett

Oscar Rodriguez

Perry Todd Thompson

A method of delivery ultrasonic energy and a therapeutic compound to a treatment site and an ultrasonic catheter system are disclosed. The ultrasonic catheter system comprises a tubular body having a proximal end, a distal end and a treatment zone located between the distal end and the proximal end, a fluid delivery lumen, at least one ultrasound radiating element positioned in the treatment zone, wiring electrically coupled to the at least one ultrasound radiating element and extending through the tubular body and terminating at a connector, and a control system comprising external circuitry and an isolation pod that is configured to be electrically connected to the connector, the isolation pod being positioned between the tubular body and the external system and comprising an isolation barrier and circuitry for driving the ultrasound radiating element.

Catheter with multiple ultrasound radiating members

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

A method of delivery ultrasonic energy and a therapeutic compound to a treatment site and an ultrasonic catheter system are disclosed. The method comprises providing a catheter with a plurality of ultrasound radiating members, wherein the plurality of ultrasound radiating members are allocated into electrical groups comprising more than one ultrasound radiating member. The method further comprises independently driving each group of ultrasonic radiating members, and delivering the therapeutic compound through the catheter to the treatment site.

A catheter for delivering ultrasonic energy and therapeutic compounds to a treatment site within a patient's vasculature comprises a tubular body. The tubular body has a proximal region and a distal region opposite the proximal region. The catheter further comprises a plurality of fluid delivery lumens formed into the tubular body. The catheter further comprises an inner core configured for insertion into the tubular body. The inner core comprises an elongate electrical conductor having a plurality of flattened regions, each flattened region having a first flat side and a second flat side opposite the first flat side. The inner core further comprises a plurality of ultrasound radiating members mounted in pairs to the flattened regions of the elongate electrical conductor. A first ultrasound radiating member is mounted to the first flat side of the elongate electrical conductor, and a second ultrasound radiating member is mounted to the second flat side of the elongate electrical conductor. The catheter further comprises control electronics configured to apply a driving signal to at least two, but fewer than all, of the ultrasound radiating members.

A method comprises providing a substantially planar slab of piezoelectric material having a top surface. The method further comprises drilling a plurality of holes through the top surface and into the slab. The method further comprises making a plurality of cuts through the top surface and into the slab. The cuts form a plurality of polygons that are generally centered about one of the holes. The method further comprises plating the slab with an electrically conductive material. The method further comprises removing the electrically conductive material from the top surface of the slab. The method further comprises cutting the slab substantially parallel to the top surface.

Ultrasound radiating members for catheter

An ultrasonic catheter is manufactured by providing an inner tube having an inner diameter sufficient to accommodate a guidewire, and mounting a tubular ultrasound radiating member around a distal region of the inner tube. Two electrical conductors are positioned along the inner tube, such that one of the electrical conductors contacts an inner side of the ultrasound radiating member while the other electrical conductor contacts an outer side of the ultrasound radiating member. An outer tube is then concentrically translated over the inner tube and the ultrasound radiating member, and radially shrunken onto the inner tube.

Method of manufacturing ultrasound catheters

A catheter system for delivering ultrasonic energy to a treatment site within a body lumen comprises a tubular body. The tubular body has a proximal end, a distal end and an energy delivery section positioned between the proximal end and the distal end. The catheter further comprises an inner core configured for insertion into the tubular body. The inner core comprises a first ultrasound radiating member axially separated from a second ultrasound radiating member by an intermediate flexible joint region. The inner core further comprises an electrically conductive portion configured to allow a voltage difference to be applied to at least one of the ultrasound radiating members. The inner core further comprises a high impedance cap positioned proximal to at least one of the ultrasound radiating members.

Ultrasonic catheter with axial energy field

Method of manufacturing ultrasound radiating members for a catheter

An ultrasound catheter adapted for accessing small vessels in the distal anatomy is disclosed. The ultrasound catheter comprises an elongate tubular body formed with a delivery lumen. The flexibility and dimensions of the tubular body allow access to the distal anatomy by advancement over the guidewire. An ultrasound radiating member is provided along the distal end portion of the tubular body for emitting ultrasound energy at a treatment site. A drug solution may also be delivered through the delivery lumen and out an exit port to the treatment site.

Growing community of inventors

Seattle, WA, United States of America

Richard R Wilson