Ultrasound catheter and methods for making and using same

Abstract

Ultrasound catheter devices and methods provide enhanced disruption of blood vessel obstructions. Generally, ultrasound catheters include an elongate flexible catheter body with one or more lumens, an ultrasound transmission member extending longitudinally through the catheter body lumen and, in some embodiments, a guidewire tube extending through the lumen. A distal head for disrupting occlusions is coupled with the distal end of the ultrasound transmission member and is positioned adjacent the distal end of the catheter body. Some embodiments include improved features such as a bend in the catheter body for enhancing positioning and/or advancement of the catheter.

1 . A method for treating an occlusion in a vein comprising:
 performing interventional procedure at a treatment area;   applying endovascular ultrasound energy at the treatment area to enhance the vessel permeability;   positioning a device; and   delivering a medicament to the treatment area.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the interventional procedure is an ultrasound procedure. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the medicament is delivered to the treatment for a period of time when the ultrasound energy is applied. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the frequency of the ultrasonic energy is at least 20 kHz. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ultrasound energy is delivered using an ultrasound catheter having a proximal transducer that is located outside the body. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ultrasound energy is delivered using an ultrasound catheter having at least one transducer coupled to a proximal end of the catheter. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein ultrasound energy is delivered transcutaneously. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising positioning the device using one of the following methods: distally to the treatment area, proximally to the treatment area or combination of both. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a sheath surrounds a portion of the device. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mixture of therapeutic agent remains in the treatment area of the vein for a period of time. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising delivering the medicament from outside the body. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the medicament is oxygenated. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the medicament is in mixture with a dye, saline, or a combination of both. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein treating an occlusion in a vein involves treating a totally occluded vein. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the treatment area includes an artery. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the medicament is in mixture with dye or saline. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein ultrasound energy is produced by longitudinal waves, transverse waves, radial waves or any combination of all the three waves. 
     
     
         18 . A method for treating occlusions:
 applying endovascular ultrasound energy to a treatment area to enhance the vessel permeability;   positioning a blood flow device within the treatment area; and   delivering a medicament in a mixture with a dye.   
     
     
         19 . A method for treating an occluded vein comprising:
 performing an endovascular ultrasound procedure at a treatment area and then delivering a medicament to the treatment area.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the medicament is delivered using one of the following methods: during the ultrasound procedure, after the ultrasound procedure or a combination of both.