Shockwave catheter system with energy control

摘要

A system that breaks calcium in a liquid includes a catheter including first and second electrodes arranged to receive there-across a high electrical voltage at an initial low current. The high electrical voltage causes an electrical arc to form across the electrodes creating a gas bubble within the liquid, a high current to flow through the electrodes, and a mechanical shock wave. A power source provides the electrodes with the high electrical voltage at the initial current and terminates the high electrical voltage in response to the high current flow through the electrodes.

主权项

1. A balloon catheter for delivering shockwaves to a calcified lesion comprising:
an elongated carrier; a flexible balloon mounted on the elongate carrier, said balloon being fillable with a conductive fluid; a pair of electrodes on the elongated carrier within the balloon; and a power source with a circuit coupled to the electrodes for supplying voltage pulses to the electrodes, each voltage pulse generating an arc in the fluid within the balloon and causing current to flow between the electrodes and producing a shockwave; wherein the power source includes a sensor for monitoring a parameter of the circuit that varies in response to each voltage pulse, and wherein when the monitored parameter reaches a predetermined value during each voltage pulse, the sensor generates a signal that causes the power source to terminate the voltage supplied to the electrodes for that pulse.