Low profile electrodes for an angioplasty shock wave catheter

摘要

Described herein are low-profile electrodes for use with an angioplasty shockwave catheter. A low-profile electrode assembly may have an inner electrode, an insulating layer disposed over the inner electrode such that an opening in the insulating layer is aligned with the inner electrode, and an outer electrode sheath disposed over the insulating layer such that an opening in the outer electrode sheath is coaxially aligned with the opening in the insulating layer. This layered configuration allows for the generation of shockwaves that propagate outward from the side of the catheter. In some variations, the electrode assembly has a second inner electrode, and the insulating layer and outer electrode may each have a second opening that are coaxially aligned with the second inner electrode. An angioplasty shockwave catheter may have a plurality of such low-profile electrode assemblies along its length to break up calcified plaques along a length of a vessel.

主权项

1. A device for generating shock waves for cracking calcified lesions comprising:
an axially extending elongate member; a balloon surrounding a portion of the elongate member, said balloon being fillable with a conductive fluid: a first wire extending along a length of the elongate member, said wire being insulated and having a non-insulated portion defining a first inner electrode; a second wire extending along a length of the elongate member said second wire being insulated and having a non-insulated portion defining a second inner electrode, said second inner electrode being located at a position circumferentially offset from the first inner electrode; and a conductive sheath having first and second apertures formed therein, said sheath being mounted on the elongate member so that the first aperture thereof is aligned with the first inner electrode and the second aperture thereof is aligned with the second inner electrode and arranged such that when said balloon is filled with a conductive fluid and a voltage is applied to the first and second wires, shockwaves will be generated near both the first and second inner electrodes with a series connection being defined as the current travels along a path extending from the first inner electrode to the conductive sheath and from the conductive sheath to the second inner electrode.