Scoring balloon with translating scoring wires

Abstract

A device for introduction into a body vessel includes a shaft, a balloon positioned at the distal end of the shaft, a guidewire disposed longitudinally within the shaft to receive a guidewire during use, a balloon disposed at the distal end of the shaft, and longitudinal scoring wires to score a vascular lesion attached to the distal end of the shaft. The scoring wires are disposed over the balloon and disposed within the shaft. The proximal ends are welded or otherwise affixed to a spring mounted in the handle. The balloon expands when fluid is delivered to the balloon through the inflation lumen. This expansion pushes the scoring wires against the vascular lesion. The scoring wires attach to a source of vibrations. The scoring wires are made of a helical coil.

1 . A scoring balloon catheter that comprises:
 a shaft;   a balloon, said balloon being inflatable and being mounted on a distal section of the shaft;   a hub or spring associated with the shaft, proximal to the balloon; and   a scoring wire having:   a fixed end mounted on the shaft between a shaft distal end and the balloon;   a longitudinally movable end terminating at and directly attached to the hub or spring; and   an intermediate portion running exterior, alongside a working region of the balloon,   wherein the scoring wire comprises a helical coil section adapted to longitudinally expand in response to inflation of the balloon.   
     
     
         2 . The scoring balloon catheter of  claim 1  wherein a diameter of the helical coil section ranges from 0.009″ and 0.013″. 
     
     
         3 . The scoring balloon catheter of  claim 2  wherein the helical coil section begins at the fixed end and ends at the proximal end of the intermediate portion. 
     
     
         4 . The scoring balloon catheter of  claim 2  the helical coil section exhibits spring-like elasticity in a longitudinal direction. 
     
     
         5 . The scoring balloon catheter of  claim 4  wherein the helical coil section exhibits spring-like elasticity in an axial direction. 
     
     
         6 . The scoring balloon catheter of  claim 2  wherein the helical coil section begins at the distal end of the intermediate portion and ends at the proximal end of the intermediate portion. 
     
     
         7 . The scoring balloon catheter of  claim 6  wherein a diameter of wire of the helical coil section ranges from 0.005″ to 0.010″. 
     
     
         8 . The scoring balloon catheter of  claim 1 , further comprising a handle assembly comprising the hub or spring. 
     
     
         9 . The scoring balloon catheter of  claim 8 , wherein the handle assembly further comprises an inflatable balloon lumen port and a guidewire port, and wherein the longitudinally moveable end is directly attached to the hub or spring at a position distal to both the inflatable balloon lumen port and the guidewire port. 
     
     
         10 . The scoring balloon catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the hub or spring is a spring, and wherein the longitudinally movable end terminates at and is directly attached to the spring.