The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 03, 1989
Filed:
Nov. 13, 1987
T Anthony DonMicheal, Bakersfield, CA (US);
Robert J Siegel, Venice, CA (US);
Eugene A DeCastro, Jamestown, NY (US);
Other;
Abstract
Apparatus and method are disclosed for treating atherosclerotic plaque and thromboses by the application of ultrasonic energy to a site of intravascular blockage. The ultrasonic apparatus includes a solid wire probe having a bulbous tip at one end and coupled to an ultrasonic energy source at the other end, the probe being carried within a hollow catheter. The catheter and probe are inserted into a blood vessel and are advanced to the site of a stenosis, where the probe is extended from the catheter and caused to vibrate ultrasonically, resulting in the destruction of the arterial plaque. The ultrasonic apparatus includes a fitting for delivering a radiographic contrast solution to the probe tip by flowing the solution into the catheter, the contrast fluid being released into the blood vessel to assist in positioning the apparatus and determining the effectiveness of treatment. A physiologic solution may also be carried to the probe tip by flowing the solution through the catheter, thereby controlling the temperature of the probe tip during the procedure.