Ultrasound catheter having protective feature against breakage

Abstract

An ultrasound catheter has an elongate flexible catheter body having a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough, and an ultrasound transmission member extending longitudinally through the lumen of the catheter body. The ultrasound transmission member has a proximal end that is coupled to a separate ultrasound generating device, and a distal end that terminates at the distal end of the catheter body, with at least a portion of the distal end of the ultrasound transmission member extending outside the lumen of the catheter body and beyond the distal end of the catheter body, and with the ultrasound transmission member directly attached to the catheter body via an attachment device.

1 . A method of ablating tissue in a vessel, comprising:
 providing an ultrasound catheter comprising
 an elongate flexible catheter body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough, and 
 an ultrasound transmission member extending longitudinally through the lumen of the catheter body, the ultrasound transmission member having a proximal end and a distal end, at least a portion of the distal end of the ultrasound transmission member extending beyond the distal end of the catheter body, the ultrasound transmission member being irremovably attached to the catheter body; and 
   causing the distal end of the ultrasound transmission member to contact the tissue.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising providing an intermediate member disposed between and attached to the ultrasound transmission member and the catheter body. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the intermediate member is disposed on a proximal side of the distal end of the ultrasound transmission member. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the intermediate member extends beyond the distal end of the catheter body. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the intermediate member forms a continuous cross-section between at least a portion of the ultrasound transmission member and at least a portion of the catheter body so as to inhibit longitudinal movement of the ultrasound transmission member relative to the catheter body. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising radiographically imaging the distal end of the ultrasound transmission member. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising advancing the ultrasound catheter within the vessel and over a guidewire. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising flowing a fluid within the lumen of the catheter body over at least a portion of the ultrasound transmission member. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the fluid comprises a radiographic contrast media. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein causing the distal end of the ultrasound transmission member to contact the tissue comprises directly contacting the tissue with the ultrasound transmission member. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ultrasound catheter comprises a cap secured to the distal end of the ultrasound transmission member. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein causing the distal end of the ultrasound transmission member to contact the tissue comprises directly contacting the tissue with the cap. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the ultrasound catheter comprises an attachment member positioned between and attached to the ultrasound transmission member and the cap. 
     
     
         14 . A method comprising:
 providing an ultrasound catheter comprising
 a body having a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one lumen extending longitudinally therethrough, 
 an ultrasound transmission member disposed in the at least one lumen of the body and having a proximal end and a distal end, 
 an intermediate member coupling the ultrasound transmission member to the body and being disposed on a proximal side of the distal end of the ultrasound transmission member; and 
   transmitting ultrasonic energy through at least a portion of the ultrasound transmission member.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein a cross-section through the intermediate member is continuous between at least a portion of the ultrasound transmission member and at least a portion of the body. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising contacting tissue within a vessel with the distal end of the ultrasound transmission member. 
     
     
         17 . A method comprising:
 providing an ultrasound catheter comprising
 a body having a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one lumen extending longitudinally therethrough, 
 an ultrasound transmission member disposed in the lumen of the body and having a proximal end and a distal end, and 
 an intermediate member attached to the ultrasound transmission member and the body so as to inhibit longitudinal movement of the ultrasound transmission member relative to the body, the intermediate member being disposed between the distal and proximal ends of the body; and 
   introducing the ultrasound catheter into a patient's vasculature.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising transmitting ultrasound energy through at least a portion of the ultrasound member. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the intermediate member forms a continuous cross-section between at least a portion of the ultrasound transmission member and at least a portion of the catheter body. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein a portion of the ultrasound transmission member disposed on a distal side of the intermediate member comprises a radiographic material.