Ultrasound catheter with embedded conductors

Abstract

An ultrasound catheter comprises an elongate tubular body is disclosed. The elongate tubular body has a proximal region and a distal region opposite the proximal region. The tubular body defines a central lumen having a central lumen surface that is electrically conductive. The ultrasound catheter further comprises an elongate, hollow inner core extending through the central lumen and has an inner core outer surface that is electrically conductive. The ultrasound catheter further comprises an ultrasound radiating member positioned within the distal region of the tubular body and between the tubular body and the inner core, such that the tubular body conductive surface and the inner core conductive surface are both in electrical contact with the ultrasound radiating member. The ultrasound catheter further comprises an insulating sleeve positioned between the tubular body and the inner core in a region proximal to the ultrasound radiating member.

1 . A method comprising:
 maneuvering a guidewire through a patient's vasculature, such that a guidewire distal region is adjacent to a treatment site;   passing an elongate tubular body over the guidewire, the elongate tubular body having a distal region, a proximal region opposite the distal region and a tubular ultrasound radiating member mounted to the elongate tubular body distal region, such that the ultrasound radiating member is adjacent the treatment site;   withdrawing the guidewire from the elongate tubular body;   passing an electronic driving signal to the ultrasound radiating member to cause the ultrasound radiating member to deliver ultrasonic energy to the treatment site;   passing a therapeutic compound through the elongate tubular body to the treatment site, such that a quantity of therapeutic compound delivered to the treatment site is exposed to ultrasonic energy.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ultrasound radiating member is positioned within the elongate tubular body. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising sensing a temperature at the treatment site. 
     
     
         4 . A method of manufacturing an ultrasonic catheter comprising:
 providing an inner tube having an inner diameter sufficient to accommodate a guidewire;   mounting a tubular ultrasound radiating member around a distal region of the inner tube;   positioning a first and a second electrical conductor along the inner tube in a substantially parallel configuration, such that the first electrical conductor contacts an inner side of the ultrasound radiating member, and the second electrical conductor contacts an outer side of the ultrasound radiating member;   concentrically translating an outer tube over the inner tube and the ultrasound radiating member; and   radially shrinking the outer tube onto the inner tube.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the first and second electrical conductors are positioned along the inner tube at substantially radially opposite points. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising integrating the first and second electrical conductors into a unitary cable. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the first and second electrical conductors are wrapped around the inner core in opposite directions. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus comprising:
 an elongate tubular body having a proximal region and a distal region opposite the proximal region, the tubular body defining a central lumen having a central lumen surface that is electrically conductive;   an elongate, hollow inner core extending through the central lumen and having an inner core outer surface that is electrically conductive;   an ultrasound radiating member positioned within the distal region of the tubular body and between the tubular body and the inner core, such that the tubular body conductive surface and the inner core conductive surface are both in electrical contact with the ultrasound radiating member; and   an insulating sleeve positioned between the tubular body and the inner core in a region proximal to the ultrasound radiating member.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising a temperature sensor positioned adjacent the elongate tubular body distal region. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the tubular body conductive surface and the inner core conductive surface are electrically connected to opposite poles of a power supply. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising a plurality of ultrasound radiating members positioned between the tubular body and the inner core. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising an insulating sleeve positioned between the tubular boy and the inner core in regions between the plurality of ultrasound radiating members. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the conductive surfaces comprise metallic fibers disposed on the central lumen surface or the inner core outer surface. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the metallic fibers comprise copper.