Medical systems and related methods

Abstract

A medical system includes a sheath and an acoustic reflective element that is capable of amplifying acoustic energy. Methods of using a medical system are also provided herein.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A medical system for removal of occlusions in blood vessels, the medical system comprising:
 a sheath substantially surrounding an ultrasonic probe, the sheath defining a lumen;   an ultrasonic probe having a proximal probe end and a distal probe end, the ultrasonic probe having a plurality of nodes and a plurality of anti-nodes of transverse motion configured to provide transverse vibration; and   an acoustic reflective element at least partially disposed within and secured to the lumen, the acoustic reflective element being configured to facilitate amplification of acoustic energy emitted by the ultrasonic probe.   
     
     
         2 . The medical system of  claim 1 , wherein the acoustic reflective element comprises a planar surface. 
     
     
         3 . The medical system of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the sheath defines a fenestration; and   the planar surface of the acoustic reflective element is configured to redirect acoustic energy emitted by the ultrasonic probe through the fenestration.   
     
     
         4 . The medical system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the sheath defines a fenestration; and   the acoustic reflective element comprises a plurality of planar surfaces configured to redirect acoustic energy emitted by the ultrasonic probe through the fenestration.   
     
     
         5 . The medical system of  claim 1 , wherein the sheath comprises a distal end that comprises a surface configured to retain tissue proximate to the ultrasonic probe. 
     
     
         6 . A medical system for removal of occlusions in blood vessels, the medical system comprising:
 an ultrasonic probe having a proximal probe end and a distal probe end, the ultrasonic probe having a plurality of nodes and a plurality of anti-nodes of transverse motion configured to provide transverse vibration;   a sheath defining a lumen configured to receive and substantially surround the ultrasonic probe therein; and   an acoustic reflective element secured to and disposed at least partially within the lumen of the sheath, the acoustic reflective element being configured to amplify acoustic energy emitted by the ultrasonic probe.   
     
     
         7 . The medical system of  claim 6 , wherein the acoustic reflective element comprises a planar surface. 
     
     
         8 . The medical system of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the sheath defines a fenestration; and   the planar surface of the acoustic reflective element is configured to redirect acoustic energy emitted by the ultrasonic probe through the fenestration.   
     
     
         9 . The medical system of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the sheath defines a fenestration; and   the acoustic reflective element comprises a plurality of planar surfaces configured to redirect acoustic energy emitted by the ultrasonic probe through the fenestration.   
     
     
         10 . A method comprising:
 emitting acoustic energy within a sheath disposed within a body vessel of a subject; and   after emitting the acoustic energy within the sheath, amplifying the emitted acoustic energy and redirecting the emitted acoustic energy through a fenestration defined by the sheath.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein amplifying the emitted acoustic energy comprises reflecting the emitted acoustic energy with an acoustic reflective element. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein redirecting the emitted acoustic energy through the fenestration comprises reflecting the emitted acoustic energy with an acoustic reflective element. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein emitting acoustic energy within the sheath comprises vibrating an ultrasonic probe disposed within a lumen of the sheath. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the ultrasonic probe is vibrated in a transverse direction.