Guide catheter having vasomodulating electrodes

摘要

A guide catheter system includes a guide catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, an outer wall and a first, second and third electrode wherein the first, second and third electrodes are spaced longitudinally apart from each other on the outer wall of the catheter, and an electrical impulse generator connected to the guide catheter wherein the electrical impulse generator includes a circuit for selecting an adjacent pair of electrodes to use as a bipolar electrode system to send an electrical impulse and a method of use thereof to treat vasospasm.

主权项

1. A method of advancing a guide catheter, comprising the steps of:
providing a guide catheter having a proximal hub, a distal tip and a lumen extending therebetween, the guide catheter further having an electrode disposed at the distal tip; determining a location of a vasospasm in a blood vessel where the vessel is constricted; advancing the distal tip of the guide catheter distally to a first location within the blood vessel, wherein the first location is proximal of the vasospasm; applying an electrical impulse through the electrode to the blood vessel to cause the blood vessel to dilate at the first location; advancing a balloon catheter distally through the guide catheter to a location distal of the first location; and expanding the balloon distal of the distal tip of the guide catheter.