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 defining a lumen, a fenestration, and a distal terminus;   an ultrasonic probe having a proximal probe end and a distal probe end and being substantially surrounded by the sheath, the ultrasonic probe having a plurality of nodes and a plurality of anti-nodes of transverse motion configured to provide transverse vibration; and   a generator configured to transmit ultrasonic energy to the ultrasonic probe;   wherein the distal end of the ultrasonic probe extends into the distal terminus such that the distal terminus and the ultrasonic probe overlap adjacent to the fenestration.   
     
     
         2 . The medical system of  claim 1  wherein the distal end of the ultrasonic probe is slidable with respect to distal terminus. 
     
     
         3 . The medical system of  claim 2  wherein the distal end of the ultrasonic probe is slidable away from the distal terminus to facilitate grasping of a tissue between the distal end and the distal terminus. 
     
     
         4 . The medical system of  claim 2 , wherein the distal terminus comprises a surface configured to retain tissue proximate to the ultrasonic probe. 
     
     
         5 . The medical system of  claim 1  wherein the distal terminus has a single fenestration. 
     
     
         6 . The medical system of  claim 1  wherein the fenestration is substantially arcuate. 
     
     
         7 . The medical system of  claim 1  wherein the ultrasonic probe conducts energy at a frequency range of from about 20 kHz through about 80 kHz. 
     
     
         8 . The medical system of  claim 1  wherein the ultrasonic probe conducts energy at an amplitude between about 150 microns and about 250 microns. 
     
     
         9 . The medical system of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the sheath and the ultrasonic probe define at least one of an irrigation channel and an aspiration channel. 
     
     
         10 . An ultrasonic probe for removal of occlusions in blood vessels, the medical system comprising:
 a sheath defining a lumen, a fenestration, and a distal terminus;   a proximal probe end; and   a distal probe end substantially surrounded by the sheath, wherein the ultrasonic probe is configured to facilitate generation of a plurality of nodes and a plurality of anti-nodes of transverse motion configured to provide transverse vibration and wherein the distal end of the ultrasonic probe extends into the distal terminus such that the distal terminus and the ultrasonic probe overlap adjacent to the fenestration.   
     
     
         11 . The ultrasonic probe of  claim 10  wherein the distal end of the ultrasonic probe is slidable with respect to distal terminus. 
     
     
         12 . The ultrasonic probe of  claim 11  wherein the distal end of the ultrasonic probe is slidable away from the distal terminus to facilitate grasping of a tissue between the distal end and the distal terminus. 
     
     
         13 . The ultrasonic probe of  claim 11 , wherein the distal terminus comprises a surface configured to retain tissue proximate to the ultrasonic probe. 
     
     
         14 . The ultrasonic probe of  claim 10  wherein the distal terminus has a single fenestration. 
     
     
         15 . The ultrasonic probe of  claim 10  wherein the fenestration is substantially arcuate. 
     
     
         16 . The ultrasonic probe of  claim 10  configured to conduct energy at a frequency range of from about 20 kHz through about 80 kHz. 
     
     
         17 . The ultrasonic probe of  claim 10  configured to conduct energy at an amplitude between about 150 microns and about 250 microns. 
     
     
         18 . The ultrasonic probe of  claim 10  wherein the sheath defines at least one of an irrigation channel and an aspiration channel. 
     
     
         19 . A method for removal of occlusions in blood vessels, the method comprising:
 transmitting ultrasonic energy to an ultrasonic probe via a generator, the ultrasonic probe having a proximal probe end and a distal probe end and being substantially surrounded by a sheath; and   sliding the ultrasonic probe with respect to the sheath such that a distal end of the ultrasonic probe selectively overlaps a distal terminus of the ultrasonic probe, the distal terminus defining a fenestration.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising grasping tissue between the ultrasonic probe an the sheath.