DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR THE SELECTIVE POSITIONING OF AN INTRAVASCULAR ULTRASOUND NEUROMODULATION DEVICE

摘要

Devices, systems, and methods for the selective positioning of an intravascular ultrasound neuromodulation device are disclosed herein. One aspect of the present technology is directed to positioning systems for focused ultrasound devices. Some embodiments, for example, are directed to dual-balloon positioning systems. Such systems can include, for example, an elongated shaft and a therapeutic assembly and a balloon assembly carried by a distal portion of the elongated shaft. The therapeutic assembly is configured for delivery within a blood vessel. The balloon assembly can include a first balloon and a second balloon circumferentially offset from the first balloon about the elongated shaft. The first and second balloons can be selectively inflated to position an ultrasound transducer of the therapeutic assembly at a precise location within the blood vessel.

主权项

1. An ultrasound apparatus for thermally-induced neuromodulation, the apparatus comprising:
an elongated tubular shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion; a therapeutic assembly at the distal portion of the elongated shaft and adapted to be located within a blood vessel of a human patient at a treatment site, the therapeutic assembly comprising an ultrasound transducer configured to transmit ultrasound waves; and a balloon assembly at the distal portion of the elongated shaft and adjacent to the therapeutic assembly, wherein the balloon assembly comprises a first balloon and a second balloon circumferentially offset from the first balloon, and wherein the first and second balloons are configured to vary between a delivery configuration and a deployed configuration, wherein, when the first and second balloons are in the deployed configuration, the balloon assembly is configured to selectively position the ultrasound transducer at a desired location within the blood vessel such that the ultrasound waves from the ultrasound transducer are focused on neural fibers within the blood vessel wall to induce thermal neuromodulation.