Flexible Debulking Catheters with Imaging and Methods of Use and Manufacture

摘要

Catheters and methods for removing material from (or “debulking”) a body lumen while imaging the region comprised of the material are provided. The catheters can be used in body lumens, including but not limited to intravascular lumens such as coronary or peripheral arteries. The catheters include housings or other structures to mount or protect an imaging transducer. Generally, debulking catheters include a proximal portion, a distal portion having an opening, a cutting element which may be exposed through the opening to contact material in a body lumen and an imaging transducer with associated circuitry and display. The catheter debulks a body lumen when it is moved while the cutting element is in contact with the material in the lumen and the region comprised of the material is imaged before, after, or during catheter movement.

主权项

1. A catheter for deployment in a vessel comprising:
a control handle; an elongate proximal segment having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end being connected to the control handle; a distal tip assembly having proximal and distal ends; and a housing having a proximal end portion comprising a first material, a distal end portion comprising a second material, and a body portion extending between the proximal and distal end portions, the body portion comprising a third material, the first and second materials being different from the third material, the proximal end portion being connected to the distal end of the elongate proximal segment, the distal end portion being connected to the proximal end of the distal tip assembly, the housing having a luminal wall with an inner surface defining a lumen, the luminal wall having at least one slot; and a transducer mounted at least partially within the lumen of the housing.