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 method for cracking calcified lesions at a target region in a blood vessel of a patient comprising the steps of:
advancing a guide wire from an entry site on a patient to the target region of the vessel; advancing a catheter over the guide wire, said catheter including an electrode assembly surrounded by a semi-rigid enclosure and wherein a first wire extends along the length of the catheter, said first wire being insulated and having a non-insulated portion defining a first inner electrode and wherein a second wire extends along a length of the catheter, 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, said electrode assembly further including a conductive sheath having first and second apertures formed therein, said conductive sheath being mounted on the catheter 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; filling the enclosure with a conductive fluid; and supplying at least one high voltage pulse to the first and second wires so that 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, with the shock waves cracking the calcified lesion.