Catheter with Multiple Shock Wave Points of Origin

Abstract

A catheter includes multiple shock wave points of origin for intracorporeal treatment of blood vessels.

What we claim is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus including a catheter sized for insertion in a blood vessel and including a plurality of shock wave points of origin coupled to an electrical wire and configured to produce shock waves outward from the catheter toward the blood vessel. 
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a balloon coupled to the catheter. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a liquid solution in the balloon. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the liquid solution is a saline solution. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of shock wave points of origin include shock wave reflectors. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of shock wave points of origin include shock wave reflectors. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of shock wave points of origin include shock wave reflectors. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of shock wave points of origin are multiple discharge points in one reflector. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of shock wave points of origin are configured to be fired simultaneously. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of shock wave points of origin are configured to be fired sequentially. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of shock wave points of origin are configured to be fired simultaneously. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of shock wave points of origin are configured to be fired sequentially. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of shock wave points of origin are separated by an angle around the circumference of the catheter selected from group consisting of a 90 degree angle, 120 degree angle and 180 degree angle. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of shock wave points of origin are separated by an angle around the circumference of the catheter selected from group consisting of a 90 degree angle, 120 degree angle and 180 degree angle. 
     
     
         15 . A method of treating the blood vessel comprising producing shock waves with the apparatus of  claim 1  within the blood vessel. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  comprising creating a plurality of focal volumes from the plurality of shock wave points of origin and intersecting each focal volume with a treatment area of the blood vessel. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  comprising at least one of rotating the catheter and moving the catheter axially to treat the blood vessel. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  comprising at least one of rotating the catheter and moving the catheter axially to treat the blood vessel. 
     
     
         19 . A method of treating the blood vessel comprising contacting the balloon with a wall of the blood vessel being treated and producing shock waves with the apparatus of  claim 3  within the blood vessel. 
     
     
         20 . A method of treating the blood vessel comprising avoiding contact between the balloon and a wall of the blood vessel being treated and producing shock waves with the apparatus of  claim 2  within the blood vessel.