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 an artery comprising:
 performing a procedure at a treatment area;   applying endovascular ultrasound energy at the treatment area to enhance the vessel permeability;   positioning a device around the treatment area; and   delivering a medicament in mixture with a dye.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the procedure is an ultrasound angioplasty. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the therapeutic agent is delivered to the treatment area while 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 applied 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 a transducer coupled to a proximal end of the catheter. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising positioning a sheath over the device using one of the following methods: distally to the treatment area, proximally to the treatment area or combination of both. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the device is an ultrasound catheter. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mixture of medicament and dye remains in the treatment area of the artery for a period of time. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising delivering a mixture of medicament, dye, and saline. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the therapeutic agent is oxygenated. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein treating an occlusion in an artery involves treating a totally occluded artery. 
     
     
         13 . A method for treating an occlusion in an artery comprising:
 applying endovascular ultrasound energy to a treatment area to enhance the vessel permeability;   positioning a device within the treatment area; and   delivering a medicament in mixture with a dye.   
     
     
         14 . A method for treating chronic total occlusion in an artery comprising:
 performing an endovascular ultrasound procedure at a treatment area; and   delivering a medicament to the treatment area.   
     
     
         15 . A method of  claim 14 , wherein the medicament is delivered during an ultrasound angioplasty. 
     
     
         16 . A method of  claim 14 , wherein the medicament is delivered in a mixture with saline. 
     
     
         17 . A method for treating an occlusion in an artery comprising:
 performing an ultrasound angioplasty at a treatment area;   applying endovascular ultrasound energy at the treatment area to enhance the vessel permeability; and   delivering a medicament to the treatment area.   
     
     
         18 . A method of  claim 17 , wherein a mixture of therapeutic agent and irrigation fluid is delivered using one of the following methods: during angioplasty, after angioplasty or combination of both.