METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR REMODELING TISSUE OF OR ADJACENT TO A BODY PASSAGE

摘要

Medical devices and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. An example method may include a method for treating a patient having congestive heart failure. The method may include positioning an expandable balloon in a renal artery of the patient. The expandable balloon may include a plurality of electrode assemblies. At least some of the electrode assemblies each may include at least two bipolar electrode pairs. The two bipolar electrode pairs may be longitudinally and circumferentially offset from one another. The method may also include expanding the balloon in the renal artery such that at least some of the bipolar electrode pairs are electrically coupled to a wall of the renal artery and energizing at least some of the bipolar electrode pairs so as to therapeutically alter at least one nerve proximate the renal artery to treat the patient's congestive heart failure.

主权项

1. A method for treating a patient having high blood pressure, the method comprising:
(a) advancing a medical device through a blood vessel to a position within a renal artery, the medical device comprising:
(i) a catheter;(ii) an expandable balloon coupled to the catheter and including an outer surface; and(iii) at least one flexible circuit mounted on the outer surface of the expandable balloon, including: (1) a first insulating layer, (2) at least one heat sensing device positioned at least partially within the first insulating layer, (3) a conductive layer above the first insulating layer, at least a portion of which is electrically coupled to the heat sensing device, (4) a second insulating layer above the conductive layer, and (5) at least one electrode associated with the conductive layer; (b) expanding the balloon in a renal artery of the patient; (c) driving energy through the at least one electrode so as to therapeutically alter at least one nerve proximate the renal artery such that the high blood pressure of the patient is mitigated.