Catheter with multiple ultrasound radiating members

Abstract

A method of delivery ultrasonic energy and a therapeutic compound to a treatment site and an ultrasonic catheter system are disclosed. The ultrasonic catheter system comprises a tubular body having a proximal end, a distal end and a treatment zone located between the distal end and the proximal end, a fluid delivery lumen, at least one ultrasound radiating element positioned in the treatment zone, wiring electrically coupled to the at least one ultrasound radiating element and extending through the tubular body and terminating at a connector, and a control system comprising external circuitry and an isolation pod that is configured to be electrically connected to the connector, the isolation pod being positioned between the tubular body and the external system and comprising an isolation barrier and circuitry for driving the ultrasound radiating element.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An isolation pod for use with an ultrasound system, the isolation pod comprising:
 a catheter connector configured to be electrically connected to an ultrasound catheter including at least one ultrasound radiating element, the isolation pod configured to be positioned between the ultrasound catheter and an external system circuitry, the isolation pod including an isolation barrier and circuitry for driving the ultrasound radiating element.   
     
     
         2 . The isolation pod of  claim 1 , wherein the isolation pod is configured to receive a radio frequency signal from the external system circuitry. 
     
     
         3 . The isolation pod of  claim 2 , wherein the isolation pod includes a transformer for converting the radio frequency to a drive signal for driving the ultrasound radiating element. 
     
     
         4 . The isolation pod of  claim 1 , wherein the isolation pod includes a transformer loop that is configured to measure leakage current through the ultrasound catheter. 
     
     
         5 . The isolation pod of  claim 1 , wherein the isolation pod includes tuning circuitry that adjusts an input impedance based upon the activation of an ultrasound transducer. 
     
     
         6 . An ultrasonic catheter system comprising:
 a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end and a treatment zone located between the distal end and the proximal end;   an inner core comprising at least one ultrasound radiating element, the at least one ultrasound radiating element being positioned within the treatment zone;   a control system comprising external circuitry and an isolation pod that is configured to be electrically connected to the inner core, the isolation pod being positioned between the catheter body and the control system and comprising an isolation barrier and circuitry for driving the ultrasound radiating element.   
     
     
         7 . The ultrasonic catheter system of  claim 6 , wherein the external circuitry provides a radio frequency signal to the isolation pod. 
     
     
         8 . The ultrasonic catheter system of  claim 7 , wherein the isolation pod includes a transformer for converting the radio frequency to a drive signal for driving the ultrasound radiating element. 
     
     
         9 . The ultrasonic catheter system of  claim 6 , wherein the isolation pod includes a transformer loop that is configured to measure leakage current through the catheter. 
     
     
         10 . The ultrasonic catheter system of  claim 6 , wherein the isolation pod includes tuning circuitry that adjusts an input impedance based upon the activation of an ultrasound transducer. 
     
     
         11 . The ultrasound catheter system of  claim 6 , wherein the inner core comprises more than one ultrasound radiating elements. 
     
     
         12 . The ultrasonic catheter system of  claim 6 , wherein the catheter includes a memory device that stores information relating to the catheter. 
     
     
         13 . The ultrasonic catheter system of  claim 6 , wherein the catheter includes a plurality of fluid delivery lumens defined within a wall of the catheter and extending from the proximal end to the treatment zone. 
     
     
         14 . The ultrasonic catheter system of  claim 6 , wherein the catheter includes a plurality of cooling fluid channels extending from the proximal end to the treatment zone, the plurality of cooling fluid channels being formed between an inner surface of the catheter and an outer surface of the inner core. 
     
     
         15 . An ultrasound system comprising:
 an ultrasound catheter having a proximal end, a distal end and a treatment zone located between the distal end and the proximal end, at least one ultrasound radiating element positioned in the treatment zone, wiring coupled to the at least one ultrasound radiating element and extending through the ultrasound device and terminating at a connector; and   a control system comprising external circuitry and an isolation pod that is configured to be electrically connected to the connector, the isolation pod being positioned between the tubular body and the external system circuitry and comprising an isolation barrier and circuitry for driving the ultrasound radiating element.   
     
     
         16 . The ultrasound system of  claim 16 , wherein the external circuitry provides a radio frequency signal to the isolation pod. 
     
     
         17 . The ultrasound system of  claim 16 , wherein the isolation pod includes a transformer for converting the radio frequency to a drive signal for driving the ultrasound radiating element. 
     
     
         18 . The ultrasound system of  claim 15 , wherein the isolation pod includes a transformer loop that is configured to measure leakage current through the ultrasound catheter. 
     
     
         19 . The ultrasound system of  claim 15 , wherein the isolation pod includes tuning circuitry that adjusts an input impedance based upon the activation of an ultrasound transducer. 
     
     
         20 . The ultrasound system of  claim 15 , wherein the ultrasound catheter defines a fluid delivery lumen.